Listen now to the wondrous fruits bestowed by the acts of planting and honoring sacred trees, as revealed in the glorious Padma Purana. By merely hearing these teachings, a person acquires the merit equal to giving away ten million cows. Such a one will never suffer poverty, sorrow, or the accumulation of disease, nor will he endure the great pain that comes from disrespecting holy things. Thus concludes the praise of tanks, and now begins the discourse on the sacred merit of trees. Vyasa, the revered sage, declares: “O blessed ones, attend as I reveal the unique and immeasurable rewards that arise from planting trees. Especially sacred are those planted along the banks of rivers. The merit gained here is beyond description, surpassing all reckoning. Whatever reward one might receive from planting trees elsewhere, when the trees are set near water, that merit becomes a hundred thousand times greater. Planting a tree by the edge of a lotus-filled pond bestows endless blessings; indeed, the merit of such an act is said to be a hundredfold. Most auspicious is the planting of the aśvattha tree beside a reservoir of water, for the fruit of this deed cannot be gained even by performing a hundred great sacrifices. When the leaves of the aśvattha fall into the water during festivals, they become inexhaustible offerings to the ancestors, nourishing them eternally. Birds flock to these trees, enjoying their fruits at will. The planter’s merit thus equals that of offering food directly to Brahma, and it never diminishes. Neither a hundred sacrifices nor the blessing of a hundred sons can grant the same reward as planting and nurturing the aśvattha. Cows, gods, and the twice-born take comfort in its shade and warmth; for the planter and his ancestors, heaven itself becomes inexhaustible. No obstacle can hinder the merit of one who plants in good health, for the reward is imperishable. Therefore, let all strive with effort to place noble trees upon the earth. Even planting a single tree ensures that a person does not fall from heaven. O best of the twice-born, plant great trees wherever you can. Those who plant trees near water, in pleasant places, at crossroads of commerce, or along roadsides by reservoirs are truly noble souls. Especially by planting the aśvattha, one attains the delights of heaven. Hear now the merit that comes from worshipping this sacred tree. Whoever, having bathed, touches the aśvattha is freed from all sins; even touching it without bathing grants the fruit of purification. Simply beholding the tree destroys sin, touching it brings prosperity, and circumambulating it bestows long life. To the aśvattha, whose leaves tremble and in whom Viṣṇu eternally abides—worthy for the awakened—I offer my reverence. By offering oblations, milk, food, flowers, incense, and lamps to the aśvattha, one’s place in heaven is assured. Know that worshipping this tree brings undying prosperity with sons, increases wealth and fame, and grants victory, honor, and well-being. Whatever is recited, offered, praised, or performed with mantras at the foot of the trembling-leaved tree yields ten million times the usual merit. At its root stands Viṣṇu, in the middle dwells Śaṃkara, and at the top is Brahmā. Who in this world would not worship such a tree? On Mondays, a silent bath and worship at the aśvattha yields the fruit of gifting a thousand cows. Seven circumambulations alone bestow the merit of giving ten thousand cows, and many more bring hundreds of millions of rewards. Therefore, circumambulate it often. Whatever is offered there—roots, fruits, water, or anything else—yields inexhaustible fruit, birth after birth. There is no tree on earth like the aśvattha, which is Hari in tree form. Just as the twice-born, cows, and gods are to be revered, so too is the god in the form of the aśvattha tree, worthy of worship in planting, protecting, touching, and all acts of reverence. This tree grants wealth, sons, heaven, and liberation in due order. Yet, if a person cuts even a little from the aśvattha, he must endure an age in hell and be reborn among outcastes. Only by uprooting the cause of such sin does he attain liberation from rebirth. Those who harm the aśvattha suffer in the dreadful hell called Raurava. But the fruit gained by planting a single aśvattha is immense. The same merit is granted by planting trees like the Champaka or Arka, by planting three of them; or eight Bilva trees, or seven Nyagrodha trees, and ten Neem trees. The fruit of planting each has been declared, O twice-born. Thus, a righteous person who creates an artificial forest attains merit lasting thousands of millions of aeons. Planting a thousand mango trees secures a place in heaven; more trees bring multiplied rewards. After enjoying these heavenly fruits, one may return and perform the act again—be he king or lord—and again enjoy heaven, followed by a prosperous and blessed birth on earth. Such a one is born healthy and valiant, beginning from the very grove he planted, whose fruits are enjoyed by thousands of creatures. Birds, insects, flying creatures, moths, and all beings who take shelter in the shade become his attendants, honored even by the gods, and the great trees themselves take on divine form. These trees should be worshipped as ancestors, with service and offerings of water. In every birth, these trees become his sons—handsome, well-mannered, and always devoted to virtuous deeds. Thus, all beings who dwell in the shade of the mango tree, and all creatures attached to it, attain lordship over hosts. Such, O blessed ones, is the sacred story of the merit of planting and venerating holy trees, as revealed by Vyasa in the Padma Purana.