Nothing bitter about this neem

The neem tree (azadirachta indica) is a tropical evergreen tree, native to India and is also found in other southeast countries. 

In India, neem is known as ‘the village pharmacy’. Neem is well-known for the bitterness of its leaves and seeds also considered to be illustrative of the bitter trials and tribulations of life. 

But mystery surrounds a neem tree at the premises of Sri Manik Prabhunagar locality near Aigali cross, 19 km from Athani in Belgaum district. 

Its leaves and seeds are sweet, in a way symbolically disproving that life is like bevu-bella, a mixed bag of bitterness and happiness. 

The sweet neem leaves and seeds like those in the common bitter neem tree have retained their medicinal properties.

They are very effective in combating poisonous insect bites and to cure skin ailments, say the localites.

 

The neem sapling had been brought by late Sri Rachotishwara Shivayogi, a seer from the Jagadisha Mutt at Kadapatti village in the adjacent Jamakhandi taluk and planted by him on the auspicious occasion of Ugadi festival.

The villagers consider the sweetness of the neem tree as the tapasina phala (fruit of penance) of Sri Rachotishwara seers who have a long distinguished tradition of inspiring the welfare of mankind.

Whatever may be the scientific explanation, the villagers strongly feel that the mystery behind it conveys a message of a different kind, satsanga and satkarma can reduce bitterness and make life happy and worth living.