KUNDO
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| kundo / kunda / downy jasmine. |
Commonly known as: downy jasmine, Indian jasmine, musk jasmine, star jasmine, winter jasmine.
Botanical name:- Jasminum multiflorum/pubescens.
In relional language:-
Manipuri: Kundo.
Sanskrit: Kunda,
Bengali: Kunda, chameli.
Hindi: Kunda,
Malayalam: kundam, Karuna
Marathi: Kunda.
Oriya: Kunda.
Telugu:Kundamu
Tibetan: kun-de.
In Indian mythology, Kunda/kundo is known for its whiteness. So, instead of the
common western phrase 'white as snow', what often appears in Indian mythological stories is 'white as kunda'.
In Manipur, Kundo flowers are used in worship, and are an essential part of a marriage ceremony. The bride garlands the groom with two Kundo flower garlands. The groom then takes one of the two and garlands the bride.
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| Manipuri wedding:- Bride holding two garlands of Kundo. |
Why Kundo is used in marriage???
The reason could be:-
cittaṃ muner api haranti nivṛtta-rāgaṃ prāg eva rāga-malināni manāṃsi puṃsām ||
The grounds, enchantingly lit up with kunda flowers white as the laugh of women at play, distract even the ascetic who has renounced all human affection – how much more ordinary men tainted by passion.
6.23, Ṛtusaṃhāra – Kālidāsa
2. It blossoms in the Magha month (phairen/lamta) or season of marriage.
3. Here is a sloka in Vishnu Sahasranam which show opulence of the Kundo flower.
VISHNU SAHASRANAM
SLOKA: 87
kumudah kundarah
kundah parjanyah pavano'nilah |
amrtaso'mrta-vapuh sarva~jnah sarvato-mukhah ||
amrtaso'mrta-vapuh sarva~jnah sarvato-mukhah ||
kundah - It is one name of Lord Vishnu out of 1000 names.
The meaning of kundah is
a)
He Who grants the successive stages of higher knowledge.
b) He Who
cleanses the sins of His devotees.
c) He Who is pure and beautiful like
the kunda (jasmine) flower.
d) He Who bestows purity like the kunda flower
to His devotees.
e) He Who
cleanses the earth through the sun, rain, etc
f) One who is sharp like the kunta spear in removing
the sins of His devotees (kuntah).
g) He Who gave an offering of the earth
to kasyapa rshi.
h) He Who eliminated the bad Kshatriya kings from the
earth.
So, Kundo/kundah represents purity, knowledge, beauty, growth, strength, prosperity, patience and selfless. These qualities are very essential in the running of a successful marriage relationship.
4. It is held to be especially sacred to Lord Vishnu, and offer to HIM.
The non-scented/smelless kunda/kundo is used as the one to get rid of all the ego, pride and negative feelings and summit/surrender to each others heart unconditionally. ................*******.................
MEANING OF KUNDA
The Sri Vishnu Sahasranam 1000/- names of Lord Vishnu, states that "KUNDAH"" is also one of the name of Lord Vishnu. ‘ Ku’ means of the “rulers of the earth,” and ‘do’ means “slaying of evil. kUNDA/KUNDO flower is also compare to "as white as kundo", it signifies purity, strength, selfless(for it smelless), knowledge, and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
It is held to be very sacred to Lord Vishnu. The teeth of Lord Vishnu is so beautiful and white as kundo buds.
In his abode in "GOLOKA" Mahalaxmi garlanded Lord Vishnu with this flower.
Why KUNDA GARLAND is used in marriage because it was garlanded by Srimati Radharani to Sri Krishna. (SCC Antya 15.47).
Srimati Radharani circumambulated Lord Krishna 7 times in the presence of Lord Brahma, and marry with Lord Krishna. (Chapter 15 Brahma Vaivarta Puran). The love of God Srimati Radharani has is Unconditional Love. The love we have is just a fraction of this love, and our endeavor is to elevate our love, unconditionally in our marriage relationship, society and nation.
All this philosophy brought to Vaishnavism and is practice in vaishnavism.
Kundo/kunda has a very deep meaning in the life of vaishnavism.
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE or Krishna prem or love of God is represented by KUNDO/KUNDA.
Unconditional love is very very essential in the successful relationship of marriage and kundo is one of them.
The non-scented/smelless kunda/kundo is used as the one to get rid of all the ego, pride and negative feelings and summit/surrender to each others heart unconditionally. ................*******.................
MEANING OF KUNDA
The Sri Vishnu Sahasranam 1000/- names of Lord Vishnu, states that "KUNDAH"" is also one of the name of Lord Vishnu. ‘ Ku’ means of the “rulers of the earth,” and ‘do’ means “slaying of evil. kUNDA/KUNDO flower is also compare to "as white as kundo", it signifies purity, strength, selfless(for it smelless), knowledge, and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
It is held to be very sacred to Lord Vishnu. The teeth of Lord Vishnu is so beautiful and white as kundo buds.
In his abode in "GOLOKA" Mahalaxmi garlanded Lord Vishnu with this flower.
Why KUNDA GARLAND is used in marriage because it was garlanded by Srimati Radharani to Sri Krishna. (SCC Antya 15.47).
Srimati Radharani circumambulated Lord Krishna 7 times in the presence of Lord Brahma, and marry with Lord Krishna. (Chapter 15 Brahma Vaivarta Puran). The love of God Srimati Radharani has is Unconditional Love. The love we have is just a fraction of this love, and our endeavor is to elevate our love, unconditionally in our marriage relationship, society and nation.
All this philosophy brought to Vaishnavism and is practice in vaishnavism.
Kundo/kunda has a very deep meaning in the life of vaishnavism.
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE or Krishna prem or love of God is represented by KUNDO/KUNDA.
Unconditional love is very very essential in the successful relationship of marriage and kundo is one of them.
VARNAMALA (exchange of garlands between the bride and the groom)
Two kundo garland is used in exchange of garland in Manipuri vaishnavite marriage.
This exchange of garlands signifies surrender to each other, and giving up of ego as the main step in committing to the marriage bond.
NOTE:-
( In vedic marriage it is recomended that Varmalas are to be made of rose and jasmine, In Manipur only jasmine is used which is very auspicious to Lord Vishnu).
