Botanical
Name : Hibiscus 'rosa-sinensis'
Common Name
: Hibiscus
Spiritual Name : Dynamic
Power
Indispensable
for Progress
General Information
An evergreen shrub
but in favourable conditions reaching the dimension of a small
tree, with alternate leaves and solitary medium-sized five-petaled
red flowers. The plant is in bloom practically all the year around
but profusely from April to September in India. It does not seed.
It is probably a native of China now common in all warm countries.
It is a popular ornamental plant and is often used as an offering
to Durga and Lord Ganesha for Pooja.
It likes some sun and
good soil but, compared to other varieties of hibiscus, it is
a hardy plant. Some varieties have beautiful white spotted leaves.
The flower blooms only for one day with or without water.
Medicinal Uses
The flowers are considered
refrigerant and emollient and an infusion of the petals is given
as a decumbent.
The leaves are said
to be emollient and laxative and used for treating dandruff. The
roots are considered helpful in cough.
One can also prepare
a syrup of the petals with sugar and lemon and it becomes a refreshing
delicious drink when diluted with water.
The petals can be used
as a black dye for the hair, eyebrows or even for shoes (in China).
Spiritual Significances
This beautiful red
flower is specially interesting because its spiritual significance
is Dynamic Power and traditionally, for centuries, it has been
offered to Durga and Kali, the goddesses of divine strength and
power. Here are two quotations from Sri Aurobindo on the meaning
of Dynamic Power.
"Power means
strength and force, shakti, which enables one to face all that
can happen and to stand and overcome, also to carry out what
the Divine Will proposes. It can include many things, power
over men, events, circumstances, means etc. But all this not
of the mental or vital kind, but by an action through unity
of consciousness with the Divine and with all things and all
beings. It is not an individual strength depending on certain
personal capacities, but the Divine Power using the individual
as an instrument.
Force is the essential
Shakti, Energy is the working drive of the Force, in active
dynamism. Power is the capacity born of the Force, Strength
is energy consolidated and stored in the Adhar."
- Sri
Aurobindo
