The name Brahma Kamal means 'Lord Brahma's Lotus' in English. In portrayals of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the Cosmos, one might notice that he holds a particular type of lotus in his hand. Brahma Kamal is the name given to this flower. Some stories even claim that Brahma Kamal gave birth to the Creator of the Cosmos, thus the name. The official flower of the state of Uttarakhand is the Brahma Kamal. This is hardly surprising given that the state is known as 'Devbhoomi,' or the Land of Gods.
Brahmakamal is only
found in the Himalayan highlands. The bloom is referred to as the "King of
Himalayan Flowers." Brahmakamal grows in mountainous areas with elevations
ranging from 3000 to 4800 meters. Saussurea obvallata is its botanical name,
and it belongs to the Asteraceae family of flowering plants.
Brahma Kamalam is a
succulent cactus with cactus-like characteristics (low water requirement, grows
in arid areas) and succulent-like characteristics (fleshy leaves). Because the
flowers imitate the splendor of orchid blossoms, this plant is also known as
the orchid cactus.
It is a hermaphrodite flower, which means it has both
male and female reproductive parts (Androecium and Gynoecium).
The plant can reach
a height of 1 foot (0.3 m). The flowering season is between July and August,
during the middle of the monsoon season.
The purple flower
heads of Brahmakamal are veiled and protected from the chilly Himalayan
environment by greenish-yellow bracts. Some other names of this flower are Kon,
Kapfu.
Brahmakamal And Its Religious Importance
Brahmakamal can be
found in abundance in Himalayan places such as the Valley of Flowers,
Kedarnath, Tungnath, Satopanth Lake, Srikhand Mahadev, and others. At the
shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath, these mystical flowers are offered. Brahma
Kamal flowers are abundantly offered during the festival of Nanda Ashtami,
which falls around September and October.
The flowers that are
offered to the deity are given to the devotees as Prasad. In the sacred
sanctuaries of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath, the practice of
presenting Brahmakamal flowers can be seen.
Astonishing Facts About Brahma Kamal
It only blooms in a
few homes and the right climate. It is said to bring prosperity and good
fortune to such regions. It is said that anyone who prays for a wish to be
granted while the flower is blooming will have their request granted.
It is thought that Brahma Kamalam should not be purchased or sold, but rather given as a gift.
Uttarakhand
residents, like Hindus everywhere, believe that a Brahma Kamal protects its
possessor from the evil gaze and negative influences.
On the contrary, as
a result of global warming, its natural habitat has shrunk during the previous
few decades. Human encroachment and over-harvesting worsen the extinction of natural
flora and fauna. The state government has established nurseries in the Chamoli
district to protect the flower and its sister species, all of which have
medical and spiritual significance.
Legends and Mythical References on Brahmakamal
Brahma Kamal's
ability to give life is one of its many characteristics referenced in Hindu
literature. The narrative surrounding Lord Ganesha's birth is most likely the
source of the phenomenon. Lord Brahma created this flower after Lord Shiva
allowed the head of an elephant to resuscitate his decapitated son Ganesha, so
that the miraculously renewing water stored in its petals may be sprinkled onto
Ganesha. This brought him back to life, and the devas praised the flower as
'Life-giving.' It's worth noting that the flower has various healing effects,
according to both modern science and ancient medicinal methods.
Another place where
Brahmakamal appears is in the Ramayana. Devas showered Brahmakamal flowers on
Lakshmana after he miraculously recovered from a deadly injury he sustained in
the war after being treated with Sanjeevani herb. These flowers are claimed to
have taken root in the area now known as Valley of Flowers, and have survived
to this day as traces of the celestial wonder.
Brahma Kamal also
makes a spectacular appearance in the Mahabharata narrative. Draupadi, the
Pandavas' adored queen who accompanied them into exile in the woodlands, was
tormented by recollections of her dishonoring at the hands of the Kauravas. The
harsh realities of woodland existence began to affect her as well. On one of
these evenings, she saw something that thrilled her with such numinous ecstasy.
She had witnessed the Brahmakamal, a gorgeous golden lotus, blooming. The
blooming of Brahmakamal is an extremely unusual occurrence, and it is said that
the few souls who witness it will have their wishes granted. Brahmakamal blooms
late at night and barely lasts a few hours.
Some even say that
Brahmakamal blooms only once every 14 years.
Health Benefits of Brahmakamal
Brahma Kamal has
numerous therapeutic properties, ranging from cough and cold treatment to
sexual health promotion. According to a study, Brahma Kamal's appearance is
appealing, but its odor is intense and harsh.
Helps To Improve Liver Functions
The flower is a great liver tonic because of this property.
It aids in the reduction of free radical damage to the liver. Soup made from
the Brahma Kamal flower can be used to heal liver inflammation and raise blood
volume in the body.
Helps In Treating Fever
Brahma Kamal has antipyretic effects, meaning it can aid with fever. However, additional research in this area is still required. The traditional usage of Brahma Phool in the treatment of fever has been mentioned in several research; drinking its decoction twice a day provides relief from fever.
Helps To Heal Wounds
Because Brahma Kamal contains antibacterial
characteristics, it can aid in the healing of wounds and injuries. According to
studies, when applied to wounds, the flower adheres to the region and seals it,
preventing bleeding and assisting in wound healing. It is also beneficial in
the treatment of neurological illnesses. Acetin, a flavone found in this
flower, is a natural anti-convulsant. Brahma flower includes antioxidants such
as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, and saponins, which can help
maintain a healthy neural system.
Treats Cough And Cold
The Brahma Kamal plant's flowers and leaves can be used to treat coughs and colds. The flower's anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics can help treat cough and cold by reducing inflammation in the respiratory system and inhibiting microorganisms. Brahma Kamal can also aid with other respiratory issues such as asthma and bronchitis.
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