Acharya Karan V – In the group of herbs or plants found in Indian subcontinent Dhatoora (Angel’s Trumpet), Madar (Calotropis Gigantean), Sehund or Thuhar (Euphorbia Neriifolia), Naagfani (Type of Cactus) and Keeral are considered to be poisonous. Even cattle or other animals do not consume their leaves or any other part. The uniqueness of these plants is that they grow in most difficult terrains or isolates places where there is scarcity of water and fertile soil. Even then these plants not only blooms flowers but one can see fruits as well on them according to season as if any other normal plant on fertile soil.

About Madar or Shwetark – The plant of Madar is commonly known as Aak or Ark (one may search the internet for its numerous pictures by its scientific name ‘Calotropis Gigantean’). They have very thin but long branches starting from the roots. Usually the plant does not have any separate stem but branches itself serve the purpose of support and connection with the roots. When grows to its fullest can reach the height of more than 2.5 or 3 meters. These plants are found on isolates or vacant places, deserted lands, vacant plots, graveyards or near railway lines etc.

Shwetark (Shyamark)

Physical Appearance – Its leaves are green, on which there is a layer of white dust like substance. These leaves resemble the leaves of the banyan in size. Whereas banyan tree leaves carries a slight mixture of red and black colour but leaves of Madar are of pure green colour. Bouquet of fruits and flowers can be found on this plant seasonally. Whenever they bloom, the flowers are generally white in colour from outside and purple from inside, looks really beautiful. The fruits take their places when this flower gets dried up or grows from the flowers itself. These fruits are somewhat in the shape of a pointed mango but very small in size when this fruit get dried up and cracks, the white fibrous thing comes out of it just resembling cotton and these fibres/pollens float in air being lighter. In early days people used to collect this cotton fibres just like regular cotton and fill it in the pillows or quilt /mattresses etc. as compare to regular cotton these fibres are more soft and shiny in appearance at the same time they are much warmer when transformed into a quilt.

If you scratch the plant of Madar or Shwetark it emits milk like white liquid substance. In fact this plant is filled with milk like white material. The leaves contain this liquid to the maximum. Pluck any leave it starts emitting the liquid milk like material from there within no time. This milk like material is poisonous but it is extensively used in making several medicines after treating it or in minimal quantities. If as it is, it falls on a naked eye it is really very harmful and painful. Hence while plucking any leaf one should be really careful in regard to drops of this liquid going inside your eye or mouth, if by accident it happens, immediate medical attention or treatment should be given to the victim. Madar flowers are offered to Lord Shiva in puja or worship. It is greatness of Lord Shiva that being one of the greatest trinity of Gods, he is really simple and without any complexity or materialistic requirements.

Difference between Shyamark and Shwetark – Purple colour Madar is very commonly available everywhere. It is also called Krishan Madan, Kala Madar and Shyamark etc. Therefore our primary subject is not Shyamark but Shwetark. This is also a form of Madar but its flowers aren’t in purple colour but pure white. Shwetark’s leaves aren’t long and dark coloured but light in colour with hue of whiteness on corners. This plant is comparatively much taller than the Shyamark and flowers do bloom in very good counts (thick bunches). But the numbers of fruits are comparatively lesser and the branches are much thinner, longer and bit straighten in comparison with Shyamark. This is why because of its white coloured flowers it is known as Shwetark or White Madar.

In certain specific Tantrik procedures the importance of Shwetark is very much high. It is symbolized as home of Lord Ganesha or Ganpati, in fact it is his favourite and somewhat it is said to be one of the aspects of the Lord himself. Moreover because of its miraculous effects and attributes attracted ancient sages towards Shwetark Ganpati. This is one of the reasons why we get a lot of reference of this plant in our ancient books of tantric sciences. Ironically being such a useful plant it is very rare to find one. Whereas plants of Krishan Madar or Shyamark are very common to find and present almost everywhere but these plants of Shwetark are rare and very difficult to find one. Yes it is true that in certain areas of India it can be found easily especially areas of Rajasthan, Rishikesh and Madhya Pradesh etc.

Shwetark Ganpati – Shwetark is really very much important in the puja of Lord Ganesh. Its flowers are offered to Lord Shiva. In the Tantrik processes the part which is most utilized is the roots of this White Madar which is known as “Shwetark mool or Safed Madar ki Jard”. It is believed that in the roots of Shwetark Lord Ganpati has its presence. And if it is brought in home by proper Tantrik procedure and it is worshipped daily then it blesses the family and every individual residing in the house just like Lord Ganesha himself. It removes all sorts of obstacles from the house especially related to money, happiness, progress and peace. Important is that this root should be procured and established in the house with right Tantrik rituals and procedures.

In spiritual field, while pursuing any specific Siddhi or Sadhana, the consideration of aspects like place(sthan), time (muhurat) and related items (vidhi vidhan) is very necessary especially for any sort related processes of Tantra, Mantra, Yantra, Pujan , Hawan, Vrat, Upvaas & Yagna etc. Without considering these any Sadhana is incomplete and further it cannot lead to a Siddhi, either is will abruptly get stopped or wouldn’t give full or desired results. That is why one should consider these important points before starting any Sadhana or Special Ritual.

Shwetark Sadhana Procedure – In Shwetark Sadhana there is very much significance of Muhurat (or auspicious time period). This why one should be very sure before going ahead if necessary you should consult some learned person or pandit or astrologer or consult panchang beforehand. When the day is Sunday and Pushya Nakshatra is activated then this time period is said to be most suitable. This is also commonly known as ‘Ravi Pushya Yog’. Ravi Pushya Yog is said to be highly auspicious to start any Sadhana or Spiritual Work. On similar lines Guru Pushya yog is also considered equally auspicious on Thursdays. It is a common belief in Astrology or Tantrik field that any ritual related to herbs should be initiated on conducted on Ravi Pushya Yog. Japa, Tapa, Hawan, Pujan, important business activities or other auspicious works if conducted on Guru Pushya Yog then there are excellent chances of getting fruitful or positive results. Although whenever there is Pushya Nakshatra that time period automatically becomes auspicious for any such activities. But there is one condition as well that if Pushya Nakshtra time period falls on Fridays it isn’t considered that good for travelling or important work. It should be skipped.

If somehow you don’t Pushya Yog then any other auspicious period like Shatabhisha, Swati, Chitra, Hasta, Anuradha, Abhijeet & Ashwini. Those time periods on Sundays or Thursdays can be utilized for initiating Shwetark Sadhana.

If you are already aware of the place where Shwetark plant is present, then you can yourself bring home its root with proper Tantrik Ritual. If someone has given you or you have bought it from some place then it is better to keep it at any isolated sacred place till the auspicious time or Muhurat. This is to be used only at Ravi Pushya Yog.

If you have to get it from the plant itself then the procedure is here under –

From the day you have to start the puja whether it is Ravi Pushya or Guru Pushya Yog or any other auspicious Muhurat. The evening before that specific day you may go to that place alone where that plant is present, without telling anyone. Take a red thread, water, dhoop aggarbatti (or incense sticks), and sindoor with you. After reaching to that place stand in front of Shwetark plant facing north east or north direction and join your hands and pray the plant resembling Lord Ganesha. After that put some water in the roots of that plant, then lighten up the dhoop and tie the red thread on any branch of the plant. And pray as if you are praying Lord Ganpati himself and request him to come with you to your home for bringing happiness, success, peace and prosperity also safeguarding your house from any sort of evil eye or black magic attack. Words could be in any form /language but the feeling should be exactly the same as above. After that return to your home, sleep alone in night.

Next day morning before the sunrise try to be ready and reach the place, with the help of wood or otherwise bare hands you need to pluck this plant from its roots. Remember conventional gardening equipments made of iron or other metal should be avoided in this process. Be very careful that during this uprooting process the root of the Shwetark doesn’t get damaged. You can bring this home and after cleaning it with mud with milk you may place it at the puja ghar or place of worship at home.

Any one of the mantras is to be done in this process and otherwise while performing regular puja of Shwetark which is similar to Lord Ganpati Worship, mantra should be recited daily at least 108 times in front of this highly spiritual root i.e.

“Om Gan Ganpatay Namah”

“Om Glon Ganpatay Namah”

“Om Shree Ganesha Namah”

“Om Ekdantay Namah”

If you observe this miraculous root of Shwetark, it somewhat resembles a trunk of elephant, in certain root the image of Lord Ganapati or Ganesha is very much clear as if they are sitting in a particular pose, but these roots are rare. Now days you will find lot of options to buy this Shwetark Ganapati online starting from few hundred rupees to thousand or so depending upon the clarity of structure resembling the Lord’s image.

How to find which Shwetark Ganpati is 100% Original or a mere replica which is falsely created – I get lot of queries regarding that there are hundreds of shops in each city then numerous online websites promoting and selling Shwetark Mool (root)or Ganapati and how to judge, which is original Shwetark Ganapati and which not? Foremost we need to understand that it is a root of a plant. This plant is available almost everywhere though Shyamark is available more than the Shwetark as discussed above, hence there could be one possibility that what is being sold to you is a root of Shyamark which is similar to Shwetark, second possibility is the reflection or figure of Lord Ganesh emerging out of this root which makes it bit more valuable i.e. Shwetark Ganpati.

Logically being a root and available everywhere, hence creating it artificially with plastic or other material isn’t a good option as one may not be able to achieve the original texture of the plant. So whatever is available in the market is definitely a root, now it could be from Shyamark or any other similar plant, yes this is very much possible as numbers of Shwetark Plants are comparatively lesser in number. Also carving image of Lord Ganesha on the root multiplies its cost so it is definitely done on a larger basis some sites or sellers tells you upfront that it is a carved Shwetark Ganpati or original. The carved ones are much clearer on edges and it looks exactly like any other idol of the Lord but on the other hand original ones aren’t that accurate it somewhat may resemble the God, the image would be bit distorted or mere resemblance at certain angle. Keeping a carved Shwetark Ganpati at your home isn’t advisable, hence better to source for the original ones if not then it is better to buy the whole plant or even seeds which you may grow in your backyard. There are several options available in this category itself of whole plant in a pot or you may source it from your nearest plant nursery etc.

Note – If any child or anyone in the house is suffering from evil eye or black magic attack, due to which he or she is continuously getting sick or having other problems then the piece of the root of Shwetark can be tied up in wrapping in white cloth in white thread as a locket. This remedy is also very good for students who are preparing for exams but facing focus and concentration problems. It will definitely get them success.