Brahma Kamal (Saussurea obvallata) is a revered plant of Himalayan folklore that is particularly connected to deities and supernatural powers. It is endemic to Uttarakhand in the Himalaya region. It is believed to be the favourite plant of Lord Brahma, who is the first creator deity, so it is called Brahma Kamal or Lotus of Brahma.

In 'Vastu-Shastra', the plant is thus associated with positivity, and it is generally regarded as auspicious.

This blog discusses the significance of the Brahma Kamal Plant as per Vastu, its features, benefits, growing and caring tips and other relevant topics.

Brahma Kamal, a sacred plant of Hinduism, represents purity and a symbol of higher levels of consciousness. A popular belief is that Lord Brahma created this flower to help Lord Shiva bring back Lord Ganesha's life by pasting an elephant's head on his body. Then the Brahma Kamal, being the "elixir of life," dropped down its petals and restored Ganesha.

This snow-dependent flower is significant in the Shiva worship ritual, especially in the sacred temples of Kedarnath, Badrinath, and Tunganath. Tales say the Brahma Kamal is a lucky charm that grants the desires of people who offer it to Lord Shiva. The flower’s connection to the triad of the divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva underscores its mystical meaning in Hindu mythology.

In Hinduism and Vastu Shastra, it is considered very fortunate and beneficial to bring a Brahma Kamal (lotus) plant inside the house in order to bloom. In Hinduism, the lotus is endowed with tremendous spiritual sense. It symbolizes divine beauty, liberation, prosperity, spiritual knowledge and enlightenment.

The Brahma Kamal is a name bestowed upon this flower as it was created by Lord Brahma, the Hindu trinity's creator God, who is widely depicted as sitting on a lotus. In a way, this sacred plant gets the blessings of Brahma, the Creator of wisdom, prosperity, and genius-flowing life, on the inhabitants.

According to Hindu Vastu Shastra and feng shui principles, there are certain recommended places considered most auspicious to keep the Brahma Kamal  plant within the home:

• The centre of the house – the Brahmasthan – is known to be the best place with positive effects aura. This place is known to repel bad energy and bring in the flow of invaluable positive energy.
  
• The northeast quadrant is related to water, money, and generally all good things. In Hindi, the northern direction of the house, called 'Ishaan', is believed to be the focal point of luck, success, and wealth flowing into your home.
  

The Brahma Kamal plant, an icon of Hindu mythology and Vastu Shastra, is rated as a sacral symbol with a pack of medicinal properties. Let's explore the various benefits of this revered plant:

1. Liver Tonic and Appetizer

Brahma Kamal, known for its bitter taste, is considered a very effective liver tonic and a perfect appetiser. According to tradition, the broth prepared from this flower can fight liver inflammation while increasing blood volume.

The plant has some effective phytochemicals that are believed to enhance the digestive enzyme glands and improve overall liver function. As a result, it is a precious natural remedy in the management of liver-related diseases and in boosting appetite.

2. Treats Urinary Tract Disorders

The medicinal plant of Brahma Kamal has well-recognized properties concerning the urinary tract. The plant's juice is helpful in treating urinary tract disorders, eliminating recurrent urinary tract infections, and can prove to be an excellent treatment for STDs. Its diuretic and antimicrobial nature makes it an ideal natural remedy for several urinary diseases.

3. Fever Treatment

Brahma Kamal is also believed to be an effective antipyretic. Decoctions prepared from this plant are known to fight elevated body temperature and relieve chills, headaches, and other symptoms associated with fevers.

4. Relieves Cough, Cold, and Intestinal Ailments

This plant benefits bone aches, intestinal disorders, coughs, and colds through its flowers, rhizomes, and leaves. Due to its antipyretic, spasmolytic, and anti-inflammatory components, the plant is valuable for treating the respiratory concentration of mucus, swelling, and spasms. It is also said to help reduce pains and cramps in the intestines.

5. Antiseptic and Wound Healing

The rhizomes of the Brahma kamal plant are known for their antiseptic properties, which suppress infection around wounds and promote healing. Because of their microbicidal properties, the rhizomes can also treat cuts, bruises, and other skin wounds and hasten the healing process.

6. Manages Paralysis and Cerebral Ischemia

In traditional Tibetan medicine, Brahma Kamal treats limb paralysis and cerebral ischemia. Its neuroprotective effect and circulatory improvement are suggested to be beneficial in treating these diseases.

7. Nutritional Value and Antioxidant Properties

The Brahma Kamal plant contains vitamins and minerals, which are highly priced in diets. It also exhibits an antioxidant function and protects us from diseases caused by free radicals, which are the primary cause of oxidative stress.

The Brahma Kamal plant can be propagated using parts of the plant called “leaf cuttings”. The process involves the following steps:

1. Take some leaf cutting of about 10-12 cm from the Brahma Kamal plant.
   
2. Keep the stem cuttings in the dark for a few days, and wait until they develop the hairy protective cover – the white callus – before planting them into the soil.
   
3. Make a potting mix of 40% sand, 25% coco peat, 10% perlite, and 25% vermicompost. This blend allows sufficient drainage, which is essential for supplying the plant with nutrients and aeration.
   
4. Take a 6-inch pot and place the leaf cuttings 5-6 cm deep in it. Ensure the cuttings stand upright and their base is firmly in place.
   
5. Water slowly by moistening the soil lightly with a sprinkler or low water pressure. Strive not to overwater the plants.
   
6. The potted leaf cuttings should be placed in an area receiving indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight in the early stages of growth.
   
7. When the Brahma Kamal finally has a well-rooted system and has shown some growth, slowly place it in a brighter spot with more direct sunlight.
   

The Brahma Kamal (lotus) thrives best in a warm, humid environment with a large amount of partially shaded light. Prolonged exposure to the sun's rays can have the above-mentioned effects and might cause sunburn and loss of colour, making the plants need bright and filtered sunlight. Frequent relocation should be avoided; the plant is used to a constant environment.

The optimal temperature range is between 25°C and 35°C (77°F to 95°F), with variations in this range potentially affecting the growth rate and product quality. Extreme heat or cold drafts harm the plant, necessitating its placement indoors or in shaded areas during severe summers or winters.

Here are the key points on how to  care for the Brahma Kamal plant:

1. Potting Medium

Proper potting medium selection is essential to allow faster drainage, which is the foundation of Brahma Kamal plant propagation. A combination of sand and perlite makes up a good soil mix and ensures appropriate drainage conditions.

The pot must be made of a material that allows good drainage and should have drainage holes at the bottom. Stagnant water may cause root rot. If not properly drained, the root becomes deficient in oxygen and cannot absorb necessary nutrients.

2. Repotting

When the plant starts exceeding the container, repotting becomes a necessity. Repotting should ideally be done every two years. A careful approach is vital during transplanting so as not to sever intricate root balls.

3. Watering

Watering the Brahma Kamal plant requires a careful balance. Unlike other plants, succulents can store water in their fleshy leaves, giving them a soft and plump form even in times of scarcity. The plants should be watered only when the top layer of the soil can no longer be felt to be moist because watering more than actually needed can cause root rot, which may cause leaves to appear yellow or brownish in colour.

To prevent fungal growth, it is necessary to water the soil directly rather than simply watering the leaves. Adequate care and inspections can only guarantee the development and well-being of the Brahma Kamal plant.

4. Care and Monitoring

Watering should be avoided for the following two days to enable the plant to rest and regenerate after replanting. Appropriate sunlight and sufficient ventilation are crucial for the plant's proper growth.

Hence, both should be taken care of simultaneously. In the growing season, balanced fertilizer can also be used for optimum plant growth. Regularly pruning dead or damaged leaves will help make the plant look neat and healthy.

The Brahma Kamal herb has been used for centuries and is powerful enough to cure many diseases and promote wellness, as mentioned below.

• With its roots and leaves, the flowering plant treats conditions like fever, cold, influenza, bronchitis, asthma, anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, muscular aches, digestive issues, and coughs. 
  
• It also has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, diuretic, expectorant, and sedative properties, all of which are known to be caused by its phytochemical-rich profile.
  
• The rhizomes are notable as an antiseptic for cuts and bruises, while the inspiring properties are well known for treating respiratory problems. 
  
• Among its biologically active compounds, the Brahma Kamal contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and others with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant effects.
  

As mentioned in Vastu Shastra, bringing the Brahma Kamal plant to your home requires specific guidelines and procedures to be followed.

Do's for Brahma Kamal Plants as per Vastu

• Place the Brahma Kamal plant in your home's eastern or northern direction. These directions are considered meaningful and are believed to attract positive energy and prosperity.
  
• See that the plant is flourishing, comfortable, and well-cared for. Vastu equates clean surroundings with positive energy.
  
• To keep Brahma Kamal indoors, maintain a clean and visually appealing pot or container. The container's colour and type of material must be "distinctive" to blend in with the current decor.
  
• It is recommended that the plant be placed in an area with adequate sun and air circulation. A sunny and airy space is ideal for good energy flow.
  

Don’ts for Brahma Kamal Plants as per Vastu

• Do not allow the Brahma Kamal to grow in your house's southern or southwest parts. These directions are associated with fire and earth elements and may not be as good for plant power.
  
• Avoid placing the plant in crowded areas. Vastu attaches excellent significance to avoiding clutter and enabling free energy flow.
  
• Remember to throw away plants that have already withered or outlived. According to Vastu, these plants invite negative energy and must be expelled immediately.
  
• According to Vastu's beliefs, failure to care for the plant, such as skipping watering or disorderly maintenance, would disrupt positive energy flow.
  
• Be mindful not to put the plant near places that emit negative energy, like bathrooms, kitchens, or spaces with high traffic.
  
• Use earthenware pots rather than metal ones, as the latter are believed to restrict good energy.
  

The Brahma Kamal plant, deeply connected to the Hindu mythology and tradition of Vastu Shastra, is an admired symbol of purity and positivity. Along with its religious values, this incredible Himalayan fauna possesses medicinal qualities that make it a valuable component in the traditional system of medicine.

One can harness its positive energies and invite prosperity, harmony, and well-being into their living spaces by understanding the principles of cultivating, caring for, and positioning this sacred plant according to Vastu guidelines. Planting the Brahma Kamal plant is a way to reconnect with indigenous wisdom and rejoice in the confluence of spirituality and nature's generosity.