Betel Leaves

Betel Leaves in Hindu Rituals – Importance of Betel Leaves in Hindu Pujas

 

One of the most important puja items in Hindu rituals is the betel leaves, especially in South Indian pujas. In regional languages in India it is known as Pan, Nag Ve, Vetta or Vettila. The popular belief is that all the important deities are present in the betel leaf. It is also an important component in the Ashtamangalya items.

Elders say that –

Goddess Mahalakshmi is present in the lower tip of the betel leaf

Goddess Saraswati is present in the middle part.

Jyeshta Lakshmi is present at the portion that connects the betel leaf to the stem.

Goddess Parvati and Mangalya Devi is present on the left side.

Bhudevi or Mother Earth is present on the right side.

Sri Hari Vishnu resides inside the betel leaf.

Shiva resides on the outside of the leaf.

Shukra resides on the top portion.

Indra resides on the tip of the top portion.

Presence of Surya is felt throughout the leaf.

Kamdev – the god of love – resides on the outer portion of the leaf.

Betel leaves that have holes, that are dried and those that are torn from the middle are not used for pujas. In South India, Dakshina to priests and elders are given by keeping betel nut and a coin in the betel leaf. All-most all puja talis contain betel leaves and betel nuts.

 In some places people also use betel leaves to adorn the mouth of the Kalash pot One of the most important puja items in Hindu rituals is the betel leaves, especially in South Indian pujas. In regional languages in India it is known as Pan, Nag Ve, Vetta or Vettila.

 The popular belief is that all the important deities are present in the betel leaf. It is also an important component in the Ashtamangalya items. Elders say that –Goddess Mahalakshmi is present in the lower tip of the betel leaf Goddess Saraswati is present in the middle part. Jyeshta Lakshmi is present at the portion that connects the betel leaf to the stem.

Goddess Parvati and Mangalya Devi is present on the left side. Bhudevi or Mother Earth is present on the right side. Sri Hari Vishnu resides inside the betel leaf. Shiva resides on the outside of the leaf. Shukra resides on the top portion. Indra resides on the tip of the top portion. Presence of Surya is felt throughout the leaf.

Kamdev – the god of love – resides on the outer portion of the leaf. Betel leaves that have holes, that are dried and those that are torn from the middle are not used for pujas. In South India, Dakshina to priests and elders are given by keeping betel nut and a coin in the betel leaf.

All-most all puja talis contain betel leaves and betel nuts. In some places people also use betel leaves to adorn the mouth of the Kalash pot.

During worship or rituals, leaves from some select trees are used as essential accessories, but among them all the Betel Leaf enjoys a place of pride in India. In Hindu weddings, a betel leaf is tucked into the headgear of the bride and the groom.

The use of betel leaf is considered as a noble trait and on all auspicious celebrations, betel leaf has become a symbolic item denoting freshness and prosperity

The Skanda Purana says that the Betel Leaf was obtained during the ocean- churning by the Gods. The use of Betel Leaf in India is mentioned in the great epics, The Ramayana and the Mahabharatha as well as in Buddhist and Jain literatures

Paan has rich herbal properties. It is invigorating and energizing, a killer of germs and bacteria and an eliminator of cold. Before eating a paan, the stalk has to be cut, the edges have to be trimmed and the veins have to be scrapped because they may damage the brain.

Health reasons

According to Sushrata, the greatest of ancient Indian medicine men and the world’s first-ever surgeon, the betel leaf preparation keeps the mouth clean, strengthens the voice, tongue and teeth and guards against diseases. It is also said to aid in digestion (saliva produced due to the chewing of the betel leaf helps in the digestion process of our body). The alkaline in the saliva helps in reducing the spread of cancer. Science has proved that cancer cells die when kept in an alkaline solution.

The betel leaf contains a little bit of betel-oil (it is a volatile oil). It generates the spice and the taste that you feel when you chew the betel leaf. In ancient literature, this has been documented. It destroys foul odor too.

By itself, the betel leaf is a powerhouse of vitamin A and C. Further, it also contains plenty of calcium, which reduces or even prevents osteoporosis.

The other ingredients used along with betel leaf are very useful too. Fennel and betel nut help speed up digestion. Nutmeg dries up the mucous. Kattha also helps in drying up the mucous. The betel leaf is also a great blood thinner. And cardamom and cloves help in reducing gas and acidity. Kattha and betel present in paan help all those suffering from cold and cough by controlling mucous production.

There are whitish and blackish betel leaves. The black variety is said to be constipative and the white one eliminates cold and is a   digestive