Significance of Pomegranate Tree in our Religion

by Rohinton G.N. Panthaky


In our religion pomegranate is refered to as Urvaram or as "the tree". There, it is called (Avesta Hadbanaepata) ie. evergreen, from hadha = Sanskrit sadda ie. "ever" and from nip or nap, to be green.

The parsee name of this fruit comes from the sanscrit name Dalim. The pomeganate being an evergreen plant is considered to be an emblem of immortality of the soul. It is also held as the symbol of prosperity, from the fact that it contains number of grains within itself. For this purpose when benedictions are recited upon a child during its investiture with the sacred shirt and thread, grains of pomegranate mixed with grains of rice and raisins etc are sprinkled over it.

In the Afringan ceremony, where fruits and flowers are used as offerings, the pomegranate is often used. If other kinds of fruits are not available, a few grains of the pomegranate served variously as a symbol:

1) It represented the vegetable creation and especially the fruit-growing trees.

2) It symbolized the immortality of the soul.

3) It symbolized the facundicity of Nature.

4) It served as an emblem of plenty and prosperity.


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