ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ

“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”

Vat Savitri Vrat is observed on the Amavasya (New Moon Day) of Vaishaka Month every year.

The festival is primarily observed by Hindu ladies for Longetivity and Prosperity of their Husbands by observing fasts and offering prayers to Vata Vriksha (Banyan Tree or Aalada Mara in Kannada).

The legend is based on the story of Savitri and Satyavan and how determination of Savitri defeated God of Death Yama to save her husband Satyavan who was destined to die.

Importance of Vata Vriksha or Banyan Tree

Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis), is considered immortal and it can be seen that as it grows it develops aerial roots and as it touches the earth takes root there and this is how it gets propagated perpetually rendering it immortal.

Reason why it is greatly revered since the Vedic times.

Vata Vriksha also symbolizes strength, standing firm possessing all desired virtues and virility.

It is also called as ‘Iccha Vriksha’ or ‘Tree that grants wishes’.

It is also pertinent here to note that the tree has rich medicinal value and various drugs are prepared from various parts of the tree.

There is another school of thought that believes that Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva reside in Vat Vriksha.

It is believed that Lord Vishnu is present in the bark of the Banyan tree, Lord Brahma is present in the roots of the Banyan tree and Lord Shiva is present in the branches of the Banyan tree.

Thus it is considered a symbol of life and fertility

Legend of Savitri and Satyavan

The legend can be traced back to days of Mahabharata, Savitri was born after severe penance and prayers by childless King Ashwapati and his wife Malavi.

Sun Deity Savitr appears and blesses them with a daughter who was named Savitri.

She was so beautiful and pure to a degree that would intimidate any man from asking for her hand in marriage and after lot of efforts parents give up and asks her to find her own husband.

She sets out to find a husband and during the course of a pilgrimage finds Satyavan, son of a blind king Dyumatsena, who lost his Kingdom to treachery and was living in exile in a forest.

She falls in love with handsome Satyavan and decides he will be her husband.

She returns back to find Narada Muni in serious conversation with her father King Ashwapati.

Narada Muni with his foresight already knew her choice and also what was in store for her in this marriage.

He dissuades her from this marriage saying it is a bad choice and warning her that Satyavan’s life span is very limted and destined to die in exactly 1 year from the date of marriage.

But Savitri was adamant and goes ahead with the marriage with great pomp and splendour.

3 days before the predicted death of Satyavan, Savitri begins observing a vrata (vow or penance) of fasting.

The vrata was so severe that even Satyavan’s father requests her to temper it down, but she refused to do so.

As destined on the day of foreseen death while he was chopping wooden logs, Satyavan feels weak and breathes his last on Savitri’s lap.

She lays the lifeless body of Satyavan under Vata Vriksha and feels devastated.

When God of Death, Yama comes to take his soul away, Savitri follows him and continously prays and pleads for his life.

Yama offers her anything she needs except life of Satyavan.

Intelligent that Savitri was first seeks to restore eyesight and the lost kingdom of King Dyumatsena.

She then seeks a hundred children for her father, King Ashwapati and then finally, a hundred children for herself and Satyavan.

Yama had no choice but to return life of Satyavan which he does in the form of Kadalekaalu (Chick pea or Chana) and blesses her.

Vata Savitri Vrata is thus observed to commemorate triumph of Truthful and Sincere Determination over Destiny.

As in any festival, Sanatana Dharma reveres everything in the creation, the animate and the inanimate and this festival is no different.

The Vata Vriksha is the objective of worship in this case, importance of the tree is already explained before.

Vrata Vidhana

Puja Arrangements

Puja Samagris

• Red Kalava or Mauli or Sutra
• Bamboo whisk
• Leaves of banyan tree
• Red cloth, saffron or red color to keep in puja
• Incense, lamp and flowers
• fruit
• Kalasha Paatra (Vessel) filled with water
• Items used by Sumangalis
• Channa (Chick Peas)
• Murti of Couple (Dolls decked in maarriage attire)

Red Kalava or Mauli or Sutra

Vrata Vidhi

• Women observing this Vrat wake up before sunrise and have their bath.
• Wear new clothes, bangles, Kumkum (vermilion) on the forehead.
• Visit a Vata Vriksha (Banyan Tree) and offer water to the root of the banyan tree.
• Jaggery, Chana/Kadalekayi (Chick Peas), fruits, akshata and flowers should be offered as Naivedya
• Thereafter women make a pradakshina (Circambulation) around the banyan tree wrapping it with thread (Yellow and Red) called Roli circumambulation by wrapping yellow or red thread around the banyan tree.
• Continue to sincerely pray for good luck and long life of the husband while doing pradakshina.
• Seek blessings from the elders of the house and married women.

Daana performed on Vata Savitri Vrat is considered very fruitful.

Perform charity by donating money, food and clothes to the poor and needy according to their ability.

Om Savitryayi Namaha

Sharing pictures of Vat Savitri Vrath as observed by my Manasik daughter, Swatishree who is married to Rajvardhan Jha and it was her first Vrat and observed the way a Newly Wed Maithili Brahmin has to perform.

The Puja Samagris and the Set-up.

Note the Figurine of Couple in Marriage Attire Circumbulation around Vat Vriksh with Mauli Thread

Vat Savitri Vrat

Vat Purnima Vrat is a significant Hindu festival celebrated by married women observing fast for their husbands’ long life and wellness.

Vat Purnima which is also called Vat Savitri is dedicated to Savitri who saved her husband Satyavan from the God of Death, Yama himself.  

According to Hindu calendar, the auspicious festival is observed on Purnima or full moon of Jyestha by married women in the Western Indian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Vat Purnima Vrat Puja Vidhi is same as that of Vat Savitri with women tying a ceremonial sacred thread around a banyan tree, keeping fast and listening to Savitri-Satyavan Katha in Hindi.

Vat Savitri Vrat as the name suggests is kept in honour of Savitri, a determined married woman who fought for her husband’s life and got it back from Lord Yama.

Vat means Banyan tree holds a significant place as it was under this tree Savitri got her husband’s life from the clutches of death.

Vat Savitri Vrat or Savitri Brata which is observed on Amavasya by married women from Orissa, Bihar as well as Nepal following the Purnimanta calendar.

Meanwhile, following the Amanta calendar Vat Savitri Vrat, becomes Vat Purnima Vrat and is observed during Jyeshtha Purnima.

Hence, married women from Maharashtra, Gujarat and southern Indian states observe Vat Savitri Vrat as Vat Purnima Vrat 15 days later than that of North Indian women.

The Purnima tithi begins at 16:16 on June 8 and ends at 18:39 on June 9, 2017.

Vat Savitri Vrata Katha

The story of Satyavan and Savitri is a sub plot in the Mahabharata.

King Ashtapati had a beautiful and intelligent daughter named Savitri.

The King gave her the permission to choose her husband.

One day, Savitri met a young man in the forest who was carrying his blind parents in two baskets balanced on either side of a stick.

The young man was Satyavan.
Impressed by Satyavan’s devotion towards his blind parents, Savitri decided to marry him.

On enquiry, the King found out from Sage Narada that Satyavan was the son of a deposed king and that he was destined to die in a year.

King first refused to give permission for the marriage but Savitri was adamant.

Finally, the King relented and the marriage was conducted and the couple left for the forest.

They led a happy life and soon a year passed.

Savitri realized that the date Sage Narad had predicted that Satyavan would die will fall in three days-time.

Three days before the predicted day of death of Satyavan, Savitri started fasting.

The day Satyavan was destined to die, Savitri followed him to the forest.

While cutting woods from a Vat Vriksha (Banyan Tree), he fell down and fainted.

Soon, Savitri realized that Satyavan is dying.

Suddenly she felt the presence of Yama, the god of death.

She saw him carrying the soul of Satyavan and she followed Yama.

Yama first ignored Savitri thinking that she will soon return back to her husband’s body. But she persisted and kept on following him.

Yama tried few tricks to persuade her but nothing worked.

Savitri remained adamant and said that she will follow her husband where ever he goes.

Then Yama said that it is impossible for him to give back the dead as it is against the nature’s law.

Instead, he will give her three boons and she should not ask to return her husband’s life as a boon.

Savitri agreed.

With the first boon she asked that her in-laws be reinstated in their kingdom with full glory.

With the second boon she asked for a son for her father.

Finally, for the third boon she asked ‘I would like to have children.’

Yama immediately said ‘granted.’

Then Savitri said, ‘now that you have granted me the boon of having children please return my husband as I can only have children from him.’

Soon Yama realized that he had been tricked by Savitri, a pativrata.

Yama remained silent for a minute and then smiled and said ‘I appreciate you persistence.

But what I liked more was you readiness to marry a man whom you loved even though you knew that he would only live for a year.

Go back to your husband he will soon wake up.’

Soon Savitri returned to the Vat Vriksha were her husband was lying dead.

She started going round (pradakishna) the Vat Vriksha and when she completed the pradaksihna,

 Satyavan woke up as if from sleep.

Soon Savitri and Satyavan were reunited.

Vat Purnima Vrat Puja Vidhi or rituals

Married Hindu women observe this festival worshipping Savitri as the goddess.

On the day of festival, the women take holy bath in the early morning as purification and wear new colourful clothes, bright bangles and apply vermillion on their forehead.

They adorn one leaf of banyan in their hair.

Women offer 9 types of fruits and flowers to Goddess Savitri.

Wet pulses, rice, mangos, jackfruits, palm fruits, kendu, bananas and several other fruits are offered as Bhoga (offering) and observe the festival with Savitri brata katha.

After the fast is over, they consume bhogal and take blessings from the husband and elders in the house.

What is the “Tree of Life”? 

In India, the Banyan Tree is also known as the Vat or Bargad and is considered to be one of the most venerated trees.

For centuries, it has been likened to the shelter that God provides for his devotees.

Other references to the Banyan tree come in the form of it being known as the “Tree of Life”.

The “Tree of Life” is also known as the “Akshaya Vata” which translates to Akshaya meaning immortal and Vata meaning tree.

A common saying in Varanasi, a pilgrimage town in North India is that the Banyan Tree never dies.

The Banyan Tree has been ascribed its own personality- one of a kind and generous rule that nourishes all.

The motif of its large branches and beautiful leaves are recreated in various temples across the country.

The Banyan Tree is mentioned in various Indian texts and scriptures dating back to the Puranas.

hese scriptures describe the Tree of Life as the divine creator and symbolises longevity. 

In Hindu mythology, the Banyan Tree is supposed to provide fulfilment of wishes and provide material gains.

According to the Agni Purana, one of the 18 Mahapuranas, an important sub-sect of Hindu religious texts, the Banyan Tree is symbolic of fertility and provides help to childless couples.

Therefore, the Banyan Tree is never supposed to be cut.

This also symbolises its importance as the Tree of Life.

The Banyan tree not only propagates itself through its fruit but over time sends down aerial roots that become supportive trunks themselves.

Over time, the tree will have thousand such trunks.

Due to its serial roots, the tree is referred to as the “Bahupada” or the one with several feet.

Themes of The Tree of Life  

The Tree of Life or Banyan tree as we’ve mentioned above holds various meanings and is extremely significant in Hinduism and Indian Culture.

Some of these significant meanings are listed below- 

• Symbolism of Trimurti: In Hinduism, the Banyan Tree is considered as the symbolic representation of the Trimurti- Lord Brahma (the Creator), Lord Vishnu (The Protector), and Lord Shiva ( The Destroyer).

As per Hindu traditions, the Trimurti resides in various parts of a Banyan Tree.

Lord Brahma in the roots, Lord Vishnu in the bark and Lord Shiva in the aerial roots. 

• Abode of Lord Shiva: The Vata Vriksha is also known to be the home of Lord Shiva.

A banyan tree is considered immortal and free from change.

Similarly, Lord Shiva is ever-present in his Linga form and resides under the Banyan tree.

According to another belief, the countless branches of a banyan tree are symbolic of Lord Shiva’s divine hair (jhuta jhuta). 

• Abode of Dakshinamurthi: An incarnation of Lord Shiva, Dakshinamurthi is seen sitting under the Banyan tree and facing south.

South is considered as the direction of Yama, The Lord of Death.

Therefore, sitting in the southern direction depicts that he is unafraid of death and change.

• Association with Lord Vishnu: Lord Vishnu’s incarnation Krishna loves to sleep underneath the shade of the Banyan Tree.

During the Maha Pralaya, the final dissolution of the Universe, Lord Krishna appears on the Banyan leaf in the form of a newborn, sucking his toe.

This is also the reason why Lord Vishnu is also known as VataPatra Sai which means one who sleeps on the vata patra (Banyan leaf) like a child. 

• Symbol of Knowledge: Banyan- the national tree of India is also known as the symbol of knowledge as per Hinduism.

According to Hindu scriptures, there are two types of knowledge- temporary and permanent. 

Temporary knowledge is related to Grihastha (family man dharma) while Permanent knowledge is associated with Sanyasa (Hermit life).

Banyan represents the hermit life.

As it is known, anyone who seeks the shade of the Banyan for enlightenment will be gifted with permanent knowledge related to Sanyasa.

This becomes clear from the fact that Lord Buddha attained enlightenment after sitting under a Banyan tree for 7 days. 

• A powerful folk depiction of the Tree of Life is a wall hanging made by Laxmi, Durgi and Sita, three Lambani women from the Bellary district in Karnataka. It is shown as half-man, half-woman, the left half is male, with stiff, rugged, unbending branches, and the right side as female, soft and curvaceous, laden with flowers and fruit. Created under the auspices of Dastkar, this piece combines mirror-work, patchwork, shells, beads and coins with a variety of embroidery stitches to provide an insightful commentary about the nature of human beings as perceived by these non-literate rural women.

Tree: Vata or Banyan is a large, evergreen, spreading tree (up to 30m in height).

A unique feature of this tree is its pillar-like aerial roots which forms new trunks and makes the tree grow laterally.

Due to this continuous expansion the tree can spread several hundred meters in circumference and cover a huge area.

THE SACRED VATA-VRIKSH

Contents

* Introduction

* Etymology

* Famous Legends

* Different Names

* Religious Significance

Introduction

In Hindu religion, the Banyan tree or the Vata Vriksha is considered most sacred amongst all other trees.

Banyan tree, scientifically named Ficus benghalensis, is considered immortal and is greatly revered since the Vedic times.

Again, Buddhists also held the Vata Vriksha or Bo-tree in great adoration as Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, had attained his enlightenment while meditating under the same tree.

In Hindu symbology,

Vata Vriksha is a perfect personification of something which is strong, standing firm on the ground with all virtues and virility.

‘Eccha Vriksha’ or ‘Wish Tree’ is another name given to this tree.

The tree is also rich in medicinal value and various drugs are prepared from its various segments.

Etymology

As per the historical and botanical sources, the oldest Vata is found at Prayag (Allahabad), an ancient Indian town.

Many ancient Indian scriptures including Aitareya Upanishad, Ramayana, Brahmana, Uttar Ramcharit have given reference to the Vata tree indicating the significance of the tree which dates back to the Vedic period.

Such is the importance of the Vata tree in the Hindu religion that many gods including The Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Maheash), Kuber, Lakshmi, Krishna, Sasthi etc.

have been symbolically represented as the sacred Vata tree.

Based on Brahmapurana, William Crooke has referred to, interpreted, and recorded the Vata tree as, “Rishi Markandeya had the presumption to ask Narayan to show him a specimen of his delusive power.

The God in answer to his prayer drowned the whole world in a sudden flood and only the Akshaya Vata or imperishable banyan tree raised its head above the water,

with a little child seated on its topmost bough, which put out its head and saved the terrified saint just as he was on the point of drowning.”

Famous Legends

There is a popular legend associated with the origin of the Vata tree or Vata Vriksha.

It just so happened that once Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati were engaged in amorous dalliances in an isolated place.

Upon the instigation of the

Trinity – Brahma,

Vishnu and Maheshwara – Agni intervened appeared on the scene on the pretext of sharing some joke.

This inappropriate gesture made Parvati extremely furious and she cursed the instigators and metamorphosed –

* Lord Brahma into Palasa,

* Lord Vishnu into Peepal and,

* Maheshwara into Vata.

Different Names

People of Indian subcontinent have been worshiping Vata tree since the time immemorial.

The tree has been referred to in various names.

The different names of Vata in different Indian languages are as follows –

Language      Name

Sanskrit and Bengali          Vata or Akshya Vata

Hindi  Bar

Gujarati          Vad

Marathi           Vada

Telugu           Peddamatti

Tamil  Pudauam

Kerala            Pearl

Religious Significance

On the 15th day of the month of Jyestha (May-June), women in Maharashtra and Gujarat pay obeisance to Vad or Vada as part of the Hindu ritual.

As per the ritual in eastern India, on the special occasion of ‘fertility’ puja during the Shasti Puja, the branch of Vata is compulsorily used.

People of Bengal especially worship the Vata tree as Lord Brahma himself on Saturdays during Jyestha.

Vata-Savitri Vrata – The story of Satyavan-Savitri is linked to the occasion of Vata-Savitri Vrata in Hindu religion.

As per the legend, on the death of her husband Satyavan, wife Savitri fought against the God of Death-Yama in order to get back her husband at any cost.

It is believed that after performing Vata-Savitri Vrata (fast) on the fifteenth day of Jayeshta, Lord Yama returned to the wife her beloved husband.

Thus, the festival of Vata-Savitri Vrata became quite popular amongst the womenfolk in India who keep this fast for the longevity of their husband.

The Eternal Banyan Tree

Mankind mainly derives the necessary elements for sustenance from nature and forests in particular.

It is but no surprise that trees are widely worshiped and many mythological tales revolve around them.

Hindu scriptures say that just like humans and other spiritual beings, trees also have within their kind species that have achieved the highest rank of existence.

Two such trees often took mention throughout mythology- Peepal Tree (Pippala Vruksham) and Banyan Tree (Vata Vruksham).

The Vata-Vriksha or the Banyan tree has for centuries now been regarded as the most eternal form of existence.

There is one particular tree called the Akshaya Vata on which many scriptures, tales, and mythologies are based.

It is said that the great sage Markandeya once asked Lord Shiva for an example of eternal existence in answer to which he received a divine vision from Lord Shiva where he saw terrifying destruction of the world marking the end.

Floodwaters rose and submerged the entire world in them but one tree- the Akshaya Vata- stood tall and unaffected, after which it received the title of immortality.

The sage also saw Lord Krishna cradled on the leaves of this tree as a baby signifying that every older generation (in this case- the world) will be replaced by a new one that follows.

Metaphorically representing this, the roots of a Banyan tree fall out of its branches and reach the ground out of which a new tree takes birth representing the flow from old to new.

It is under these Banyan trees that great sages and hermits including Lord Shiva and Gautama Buddha are seen performing their penances and preaching.

This Pattachitra painting, meaning a painting done on a dried palm leaf called patta, depicts this eternal banyan tree as the largest of all, portraying its superiority and immortality.

Around it, we can find animals, birds and other life forms flourishing in abundance while the waters flow in all their purity.

This handmade artifact, in all its artistic grandeur, reiterates the idea of sustainable development and reminds one as to why we need to protect and preserve our nature.

This beautiful piece of art can be customized to suit your needs and can be a great addition to your collection of paintings.

The Sanctity of Banyan Tree in Hinduism

Trees are sacred in India, and often associated with a god or a goddess.

Some scholars believe that it is the tree that was worshipped first,

maybe for its medicinal or symbolic purpose,

and that the gods and goddesses came later.

That may be the case but today trees are an integral part of a deity’s symbolism.

The mango tree, for example, is associated with the love-god Kama, the Tulsi plant is dear to Vishnu,

Bilva is associated with Shiva worship,

blades of Dhurva grass is offered to Ganesha,

Neem or Margosa is sacred to the mother goddess,

coconut and banana is associated with Lakshmi.

The Banyan tree is associated with Yama, the god of death and the tree is often planted outside the village near crematoriums.

It is believed to be the abode of ghosts.

Vetals and Pisachas are supposed to hang from its many branches.

Indians knew the Banyan tree as the Vata-vriksha.

When the British came to India, they noticed that members of the trading or Bania community used to gather under a large shady fig tree, which they named the Banyan, from Bania.

Technically, Ficus benghalensis, the Banyan belongs to the Fig family.

There are various types of fig trees all over the world, some of these are sacred.

The most popular one is the Ficus religiosa or the Pipal which became especially popular in Buddhist times because it was under this tree that Gautama Siddhartha of the Sakya clan attained enlightenment.

It was the leaves of a fig tree that Adam and Eve used to cover their nakedness in Eden after they were tempted to eat the Forbidden Fruit by Satan.

The Banyan tree does not let a blade of grass grow under it.

Thus the Banyan tree does not allow for any rebirth and renewal. 

While Banyan offers shade from the sun, it offers no food.

That is why it is not part of fertility ceremonies like marriage and childbirth where food-giving, rapidly renewing,

plants with short lifespan such as Banana,

Mango,

Coconut, Betel,

Rice and even grass, are included.

Marriage and childbirth are rites of passage;

they represent major shifts in life.

They are all about instability and flux;

Banyan tree is the very opposite. 

It is stable and constant. 

It has a long lifespan and hence seems immortal.

Its roots descend from the branches and then anchor the tree to the ground, transforming into trunks eventually, so that decades later it is difficult to distinguish root from stem.

Things that evoke the notion of immortality become auspicious in India, for example the immortal mountain, the immortal sea, the immortal diamond, and the indestructible ash.

This is because since ancient times, Indian seers were acutely aware of the transitory nature of things around us.

Everything dies – every plant, every animal, even moments die, the present becomes the past in an instant.

In an ever changing world, we seek constancy, permanence.

The Banyan tree is therefore worthy of veneration;

it is evergreen and shady, hence an eternal refuge for all creatures unable to bear the vagaries of life.

Thus, it emerges that in Indian thought, there are two types of sacredness – one that is associated with impermanent material reality and the other which is associated with permanent spiritual reality.

The Banana and the Coconut fit into the previous category; the Banyan fits into the latter.

Banana is the symbol of the flesh, constantly dying and renewing itself.

Banyan is the soul – never dying, never renewing itself.

Banana is the botanical equivalent of the householder while Banyan is the botanical equivalent of the hermit.

The Banyan tree can be seen as a hermit amongst trees;

just as  hermit cannot raise a family,

a Banyan tree cannot support a household.

Banyan tree represents not the material aspiration of a people;

it represents the spiritual aspiration of a people.

The Banyan tree is said to be immortal:

it is Akshaya,

that which survives Pralaya,

the destruction of the whole world.

Mahabharata tells the story of a woman called Savitri who lost her husband as destined, one year after her marriage,

near a Banyan tree.

She followed Yama to the land of the dead and through determination and intelligence managed to secure back her husband’s life.

In memory of that event,

Hindu women go around the Banyan tree,

tying seven strings around it.

This is imitative magic:

by symbolically going around the immortal tree,

the women are binding immortality into their married life.

They are securing the lives of their husband, the pillar of their household.

They are protecting themselves from widowhood which is believed by most Hindus to be the worst fate for a woman.

Under the Banyan tree sat the sages of India – those who rejected the flesh and the material world and aspired for the soul alone. 

This was the favorite tree of the sadhu,

the wandering hermit.

The greatest of hermits,

Shiva,

was often represented in its shade as a stone called the Lingam.

Being an ascetic,

Shiva was not part of the village;

he was a hermit not a householder;

he did not fear ghosts and so was comfortable staying in the shade of this immortal,

never dying, never renewing plant.

In iconography, Shiva is visualized as Dakshinamurti, he who faces the south, south being the direction of death and change. 

He sits under the Banyan tree, the botanical embodiment of the universal soul, facing the terror of death and change stoically, unafraid because of his profound understanding of the world.

At his feet sit sages who are recipients of Shiva’s wisdom.

In South Indian temples, Shiva’s south facing form, under the Banyan tree, is placed on the south facing wall of the temple.

Like Shiva, Vishnu is also a form of God.

But Vishnu is not associated with the Banyan tree, perhaps becuase Vishnu is that aspect of God who is more associated with change.

He goes with the flow – this attitude is called leela or playfulness; he does not fear change.

Vishnu is therefore associated with the fragrant Tulsi plant or with flowering plants like Champa and Kadamba.

But there is one time when Vishnu is associated with the Banyan tree – it is during the end of the world when flood waters rise and dissolve all things.

Sage Markandeya who had a terrifying vision of this event, saw Vishnu as a baby lying on the leaf of a Banyan tree, cradled by the deadly waves.  

This form of Vishnu is called Vata-patra-shayin, he who rests on the Banyan leaf.

The image is rich in symbols – the whole world may seem transitory like the waves of the ocean but all life can renew itself as a baby replaces the older generation because divine grace represented by Vishnu is eternal  like a Banyan leaf.