Kalpavriksha

File:Kalpataru, Kinnara-Kinnari, Apsara-Devata.jpg

Kalpataru, the divine tree of life being guarded by mythical creatures Kinnara and Kinnari, flying Apsara and Devata. 8th century Pawon temple, Java, Indonesia.

Kalpavriksha (Devanagari: कल्पवृक्ष) is a mythological, wish-fulfilling divine tree that is a common trope in Sanskrit literature from the earliest sources onwards – see Rig Veda (1.75; 17.26). Along with the kamadhenu, or 'wish-giving cow', the kalpavriksha originated during the Samudra manthan or "churning of the milk ocean", and the King of the gods, Indra returned with it to his paradise. While there is no attested Sanskrit source conclusively identifying this mythological tree with any real, known tree kalpavriksha can figuratively refer to a source of bounty.

Different trees are referred to as the Kalpa Vriksha.
* According to the Padma Purana, this tree is the 'Parijat' - Night-flowering_Jasmine.
* At Joshimath in Uttaranchal, which commemorates the residence of Adiguru Shankaracharya, there is a large, ancient bodhi tree known locally as the kalpavriksha. This tree is the Pipal / Peepal tree - Sacred_Fig.
* Some persons refer to the Banyan tree as the Kalpavriksha.
* Some parts of India, especially coastal areas call the Coconut tree as Kalpavriksha or kalpataru because of its ability to amply provide for human needs.

Other attested synonyms include: kalpataru, kalpadruma and kalpapādapa.

References

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola
• V.S. Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary. Kyoto: Rinsen Book Company, 1992.