The Parijata, also known as the
Night Jasmine or Pavazhamalli in Tamil, is a celestial blossom steeped in
mythology, poetry, and devotion. Its fragrance, which fills the air at dusk and
fades by dawn, mirrors the transient beauty of life and love — a symbolism that
Indian literature across languages has cherished for centuries.
According to the Harivamsa Purana,
the Parijata was a heavenly flower that emerged from the Samudra Manthan
(churning of the ocean). Lord Indra planted it in his celestial garden, and it
became the pride of heaven. However, its descent to earth is the heart of one
of the most emotional episodes in Krishna’s life. The legend tells us that
Satyabhama, one of Krishna’s wives, desired the flower after hearing how it
adorned Rukmini’s courtyard. To fulfill her wish, Krishna brought the Parijata
tree from Indra’s abode, sparking divine tension and human emotion — love,
jealousy, and the yearning to possess beauty itself. This myth, layered with
sentiment, has found poetic resonance in regional literatures across India.
In Kannada literature, the
Parijata finds a prominent place in Raghavanka’s Harishchandra Kavya and later
devotional compositions. The Parijata Harana episode — the bringing of the
celestial tree to earth — is celebrated in Yakshagana and Harikatha traditions,
blending mythology, music, and moral interpretation. The flower becomes more
than just a symbol of beauty; it represents divine grace descending to the
mortal world, an allegory for bhakti (devotion) and the human quest for
spiritual fulfillment.
In Tamil Nadu, the Pavazhamalli
blooms nightly in temple courtyards, its white-orange hues likened to purity
encased in sacrifice. The flower, often offered to Lord Vishnu, is believed to
carry the fragrance of heaven. In Telugu and Bengali devotional songs too, the
Parijata stands as a metaphor for longing and divine love — the soul’s yearning
for God, much like Satyabhama’s yearning for Krishna’s affection.
Thus, the Parijata’s journey from
heaven to earth is not just a myth but a metaphor that regional Indian
literatures have beautifully woven into themes of love, devotion, and divine
grace. Its short-lived bloom reminds us that true beauty lies not in
possession, but in offering — much like the flower that opens only to the night
and fades with the dawn.
(This post is a part of blogchatter's half-marathon 2025- https://www.theblogchatter.com/campaign-registrations/blogchatter-half-marathon-2025)
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