Secrets Behind the Peepal Tree | Why We Should Not Cut It

The Divine Peepal Tree:

The Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa) is native to India and is considered sacred. It was the first tree depicted on a seal found in Mohenjo-Daro, a city of the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3000–1700 BCE). Its bark is light gray, smooth, and peels in patches. Its heart-shaped leaves have long, tapering tips, and its fruit turns purple when ripe. During the Vedic period, its wood was used to generate fire through friction.

Symbolism in Hindu Texts

The Upanishads explain that the fruit of the Peepal tree is used as a metaphor to illustrate the contrast between the body and the soul. The body is likened to the fruit, which-being external-experiences sensations and worldly pleasures. The seed, hidden within, represents the spirit or soul, carrying the potential for new life and spiritual rebirth.

The Brahma Purana and Padma Purana 

The Brahma Purana and Padma Purana tell a story where the Rakshasas defeated the Devas, forcing even Lord Vishnu to hide inside the Peepal tree. Subsequently, worshipping the Peepal is considered akin to offering puja to Vishnu. According to the Skanda Purana, if someone is childless, they should regard the Peepal tree as their offspring, ensuring their lineage lives on as long as the tree survives. Furthermore, the texts mention that uprooting or cutting a Peepal tree incurs four times the sins (papa) of Brahma Hatya (the gravest sin of killing a Brahmin).

 Peepal Tree in the Bhagavad Gita

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna declares that out of all trees, he is the Peepal. One of the remarkable traits of this tree is that its leaves seem to move continuously, even when the air is still—producing a soft rustling sound. Due to its long leaf stalks and wide leaf structure, even a faint breeze can set the leaves in motion, an observation noted in various commentaries on the Gita. There is an interesting poetic reference by Krishna to the Ashvatha, also known as Peepal, such that its leaves are always in motion as a symbol of life and divine energy.

Hindus 

Hindus worship Peepal trees because this tree is said to be associated with Lord Vishnu. It's in vogue to tie white, red, or yellow silk threads around the stem of a Peepal tree seeking blessings for health, fertility, and parenthood.

Gautama Buddha’s Enlightenment Under the Bodhi Tree

Buddhist Tradition: The Bodhi Tree

Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Peepal tree, hence it is also referred to as the Bodhi tree. He taught that those who worship the Peepal tree receive the same divine blessings as if they were worshipping him directly. The most famous Bodhi tree stands in Bodh Gaya (Bihar), a place of pilgrimage for millions of Buddhists worldwide. Emperor Ashoka was said to have been so pious about keeping this tree alive that he actually sent its sapling to Sri Lanka, which is still existing in Anuradhapura-one of the oldest recorded living trees in the world.

 

Peepal Tree importance in Aryuveda

Medicinal Value in Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, every part of the Peepal tree—seed, fruit, leaf, bark, and stem—holds various medicinal properties. Ancient Indians used its extracts to treat ailments such as:

Asthma
Eczema and other skin diseases
Epilepsy
Gastric problems (stomach pain, indigestion, etc.)
Blood purification
Eye pain and Swelling
Constipation, Diarrhea, and more

These treatments were mostly decoctions, pastes, or infusions of Peepal bark and leaves. Modern herbalists and Ayurvedic practitioners today continue to explore the benefits of Peepal, which is based on holistic wellness and natural remedies for a wide range of health conditions.

Spiritual and Scientific Notes

Interestingly, researchers consider the pineal gland—often called the "third eye"—one of the most important organs in the human body. It secretes a substance believed to be present in significant amounts in the Peepal tree. This has led to various spiritual interpretations linking the Peepal to heightened consciousness or mental clarity, although scientific consensus on the exact biochemical correlation is still a subject of debate.

A popular belief also states that the Peepal tree releases oxygen 24 hours a day, making it beneficial to sit or meditate under its shade. While modern botany clarifies that most plants respire (consume oxygen) at night, the Peepal does undergo a form of photosynthesis known as Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) under certain conditions, possibly producing some oxygen. However, the exact extent of oxygen production at night remains a subject of ongoing research.

Cultural Practices and Conservation

Because of its sacred status and mythological significance, the Peepal tree is rarely cut or removed in India—many communities plant Peepal saplings in temples or public spaces. By circumambulating (walking around) the tree and offering water, devotees symbolically honor Lord Vishnu, Gautama Buddha, and the life-giving force of nature itself. This cultural reverence has also helped in conserving the species, as spiritual guidelines ensure the tree is safeguarded for future generations.

Conclusion

From the Vedic traditions and Hindu scriptures to Buddhist enlightenment and Ayurvedic healing, the Peepal tree is at the center of faith, science, and culture. A Peepal tree is avoided from being cut down because not only does it hold great importance in spiritual belief but also because of its ecological and medicinal significance. Whether one interprets it mythologically or botanically, the Peepal tree has always been symbolic of life, growth, and divine connection—something that never ages and becomes a testament to the richness of Indian heritage.