Coconut

Botanical Name: Cocos nucifera Linn.
Family: Arecaceae/Palmaceae, The Palm Family

In India one of the most common offerings in a pooja thali is a coconut. It is also offered on occasions like weddings, festivals, before using a new vehicle, bridge, house etc. The breaking of coconut before God coaxes us to break the hard nut of our ego before God.

'Nariyal' or 'Kopra' is a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Every auspicious work begins with the breaking of the coconut and the giving of 'Nariyal' is a traditional ritual.

Types of Coconuts

• Eka-akshi Coconut : These are one-eyed coconuts. This type of coconut is offered especially to Devi Lakshmi.
• Dvi-akshi Coconut : These coconuts have two eyes on their surface.
• Nir-akshi Coconut : These are coconuts without any eye on it.
• Green Coconut : Green coconut is placed on an earthen pot (kalasha) full of water, adorned with mango leaves and a coconut on top is worshipped on important occasions and used to receive revered guests.
• Laghu Coconut : Laghu coconut is a small supari sized, three eyed coconut. Laghu coconut is known to bestow wealth and all comforts of life on the individual who offers it to the deity.

Coconut is offered in the sacrificial fire whilst performing homa. The coconut is broken and placed before the god. It is later distributed as prasada. It is offered to please the god or to fulfill our desires. There was a time when animal sacrifice (bali) was practiced. Slowly this practice faded and the coconut was offered instead. The fiber covering of the dried coconut is removed except for a tuft on the top. The marks on the coconut make it look like the head of a human being. The coconut is broken, symbolizing the breaking of the ego.

Tender coconut water is used in abhisheka rituals it is believed to bestow spiritual growth on the seeker. The coconut also symbolizes selfless service. Every part of the tree - the trunk, leaves, fruit, coir etc. is used in innumerable ways like thatches, mats, tasty dishes, oil, soap etc. It takes in even salty water from the earth and converts it into sweet nutritive water that is especially beneficial to sick people. It is used in the preparation of many Ayurvedic medicines and in other alternative medicinal systems.