Disclaimer: A friend tells me this flower is Kalyana Saugandhikam (garland lily) and not Nishagandhi. Finally one of my Nishagandhis has bloomed. Here’s the picture. I have four pots of this plant which is quite exotic as its very name implies. Belonging to the Cactaceae family, this flower goes by different names. The Indian name ‘Nishagandhi’ comes from two Sanskrit words: nisha = night & gandh: fragrance. This flower blooms in the night and wilts as dawn breaks. I took the above pic just before sunrise this morning. I have waited for nearly half a year now for this blossoming. It’s not easy to get these flowers which have a divine touch. It is known as Brahma Kamala, Bethlehem Lily, and the flower of healing. The Chinese consider the Nishagandhi flower to be lucky. I consider it as cosmic flower. The Nishagandhi has many medicinal properties. Ayurveda uses it for treating diabetes, breathing disorders, throat infections, digestive problems, and so on. Of course, I don’t
For, an unpoisoned mind perishes too quickly (in today's world).
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the profound & thought-provoking post.
Not just in today's world, dear Indian Writer. Didn't Jesus advise people to have the cunning of serpents?
Deletekiss of life !! kiss of death !! A matter of perspective !!
ReplyDeleteLife and death, good and evil... poles merge, Aram, in the wider perspective.
DeleteReading this, I am reminded of Sylivia Plath's 'Kiss me and you shall see how important I am'.
ReplyDeleteVery few people were aware of the neurotic side of human life as Plath was. Thanks for bringing her here.
Deleteoh.. deadly! Reminds me of Jack the Ripper!
ReplyDeleteNot to such an extreme, Panchali. I was looking at the inevitable intermingling of good and evil in human life. Can innocence survive in the human world?
DeleteGood one...but as soon as I read the title, I could only think of Cadbury's jingle! :D Maybe it's time to have that ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah, you've just reminded me of the Cadbury ad.
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