Sun
Aak (madar): the Sun's samidh
BPHS names aak wood for the Sun's havan, so aak is taken as the Sun's plant.
When: —
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
Caring for trees
Watering trees like peepal, shami and banyan, or planting the planet's tree: a traditional remedy that is also care for nature.
Watering or planting the tree linked with the planet (e.g. shami for Saturn, peepal for Jupiter).
The planet–tree (samidh) link is in BPHS's havan verses; planting or watering is tradition.
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
Sun
Sun
Watering an aak plant
On Sunday water an aak plant nearby, or plant any tree and look after it.
When: Sunday morning
Tradition
Do / don't
Don't
- Aak's milky sap harms the eyes and skin; wash your hands after touching it and keep children and animals away.
Moon
Moon
Palash: the Moon's samidh
BPHS names palash wood for the Moon's havan, so palash is taken as the Moon's tree.
When: —
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
Moon
Planting or watering a palash
On Monday water a palash tree, or plant a palash (or any tree) and look after it.
When: Monday morning
Tradition
Do / don't
Do
- Look after the sapling at least through its first summer.
Mars
Mars
Khair: Mars's samidh
BPHS names khair (catechu) wood for Mars's havan, so khair is taken as Mars's tree.
When: —
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
Mars
Planting or watering a khair tree
On Tuesday water a khair tree, or plant a khair (or any tree) and look after it.
When: Tuesday morning
Tradition
Do / don't
Do
- Look after the sapling at least through its first summer.
Mercury
Mercury
Apamarga (chirchita)
BPHS names apamarga as Mercury's samidh (sacred fuel) in havan, so tradition treats it as Mercury's plant. Plant it in a pot or yard, or water it where it grows (planting and watering are tradition).
When: Wednesday
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
Do / don't
Do
- Its burr-like seeds stick to clothes; plant it a little away from where children play
Mercury
Tulsi or any green plant
Tradition links Mercury with Vishnu; grow tulsi or any green plant at home and tend it on Wednesday.
When: Wednesday
Tradition
Do / don't
Don't
- Don't break branches or leaves without need
Jupiter
Jupiter
Peepal
BPHS names peepal as Jupiter's samidh in havan, and Phaladīpikā also counts the aśvattha (peepal) among Jupiter's places. On Thursday, water a peepal's roots or plant one in an open space (watering and planting are tradition).
When: Thursday morning
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
Do / don't
Do
- Peepal grows into a large tree; plant it in open ground, away from walls and foundations, with permission
Jupiter
Banana plant
Folk practice links the banana plant with Jupiter; on Thursday, water it, with a pinch of turmeric in the water.
When: Thursday
Folk practice
Do / don't
Don't
- Don't break branches or leaves without need
Venus
Venus
Goolar (cluster fig)
BPHS names goolar as Venus's samidh in havan, so tradition treats it as Venus's tree. On Friday, water a goolar or plant one in an open space (watering and planting are tradition).
When: Friday
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
Do / don't
Do
- Goolar grows large; plant it away from walls and foundations, with permission
Venus
White-flowering plants
Grow white-flowering plants such as jasmine, mogra or raat-rani at home and tend them on Friday.
When: Friday
Tradition
Do / don't
Don't
- Don't break branches or flowers without need
Saturn
Saturn
The Shami tree
In BPHS, Shami is Saturn's havan wood, so Shami is taken as Saturn's tree. Plant one in a pot or water a nearby Shami; this care is tradition.
When: Saturday evening
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
Do / don't
Don't
- Don't break green branches
Saturn
Water to the Peepal
On Saturday morning, pour a pot of water at a Peepal's roots. In North India this is a common Saturday tradition.
When: Saturday morning
Tradition
Rahu
Rahu
Durva (doob grass)
In BPHS, durva is Rahu's havan offering, so durva is linked with Rahu. Grow doob grass in a pot and water it; this care is tradition.
When: Saturday, or daily
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
Do / don't
Do
- Pick only as much grass as worship needs
Ketu
Ketu
Kusha grass
In BPHS, kusha is Ketu's havan offering, so kusha is linked with Ketu. Use a kusha seat or ring in worship; leave growing kusha alone unless it is needed. This is tradition.
When: During worship
Classical text · BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
BPHS (Santhanam) 84.21–22
Do / don't
Don't
- Don't pull plants or grass needlessly