Studies in Indian Art c9.s3.5

c9.s3.5

The symbol of the *Kalpa-vṛikṣha* has been popular both as regards its representation in sculpture and painting and description in ancient poetry and literature. It is variously known as *Kalpataru*, *Kalpadruma*, *Devataru*, etc., and from the point of view of art the *Kalpavallī* and the *Kalpalatā* are but extensions of the same motif treated with luxuriance. The central idea of the *Kalpa-vṛikṣha* is that it is the Wishing Tree which fulfils all desires. It was produced as one of the fourteen gems at the time of the gigantic churning of the ocean by the Devas and the Asuras. The auspicious conch and the auspicious cow—*Pāñchajanya* and *Kāmadhenu*—were also produced along with the Wishing Tree and they too went to the gods. They are kindred symbols with the *Kalpa-vṛikṣha* as bestowing fruition of human desires, and have been employed in Indian art and poetry with remarkable success. The phrase ‘*Kāmadughā*’ is frequent in the Vedas and is applied variously to speech (*Vāk*), Sarasvatī, the goddess of learning, Aditi, the mother of the gods, and Pṛithivī, the Great Mother personified (*Mahī-mātā*). The Wishing Tree also is called *Kāmadughā* as it grants all desires and fulfils all wishes. So long as a man is under its shade, whatever he conceives he realizes. Wealth, women and all kinds of enjoyments issue forth from its fructifying boughs.