 Shree
Fal or the coconut plays a significant role
in the personal, social, religious and spiritual
life of Hindus. Being a symbol of wealth,
prosperity and respect, it is considered
to enjoy the top position in all fruits.
On auspicious or religious days, the coconut
is inevitably used since many religious
rites and rituals require its use.
Coconut palms grow near the coast and are
sometimes termed "Kalpataru" meaning
the one that fulfils our desires. Coconut
gives us copra. which is used in making
various kinds of food. It is highly nutritious
and although nourished by the salty waters
of the sea, the coconut gives us cool, sweet
water. A coconut tells us to digest the
'salty' experience and present the world
with sweet happiness.
In the olden days, animals and sometimes
men were sacrificed in the yagna. But this
violent practice was stopped when the Shree
Fal was used as a sacrifice instead. At
the end of such a religious ceremony, to
offer a sacrifice was most essential to
ensure the proper ritual conclusion.
Shree Fal passes the message to men that
no attention should be paid to external
beauty, it is always the internal beauty
that counts.
There are other symbolic meanings of the
Shree Fal but if we inculcate its message
in our lives, we will certainly lead a better
life.
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