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Bakula trees are considered sacred, and adorn many temple courtyards
with their deep green leafy branches and boughs.
When in flower the trees look spectacular, and spread a divine
fragrance throughout their surroundings. The trees look densely and uniformly leafy in all directions, and have a very long life.
The Bakula tree is considered to be of the male gender, and its flowers
- which are tiny but very fragrant - are called "chirapushpa", meaning perpetual flowers.
The meaning of Hari-Leela
- Hari is another name for the Hindu God Vishnu (the preserver) and his
avatar (or incarnation) Krishna. The word means "he who steals, or takes away", referring to how he takes away all distress and anxieties,
and lovingly steals the hearts of his devotees.
- Leela is a Sanskrit word meaning "divine sport or game", describing the
universe as a cosmic puppet theatre or playground for the gods... life
as a spontaneous game played by light-hearted forces beyond our understanding. It is an important idea in the traditional worship of
Krishna as a naughty boy or prankster.
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