From: ravi@socrates.umd.edu (Ravi Sinnarajah)
Subject: Re: Coconuts
Cc: 21602VB@MSU.EDU
Organization: University of Maryland University College
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 23:33:47 GMT

21602VB@MSU writes:

>I originally asked a question on soc.culture.india about whether
>anyone could tell me where to look in scriptures for references that
>would explain the widespread use of coconuts in Hindu religious
>and folk-culture practices.  Several people wrote and told me that
>the scholars on soc.culture.tamil would probably be the best
>people to ask. ......<rest of the text deleted>......

Re. the relevance/symbolic representation of Coconut [thEnkai =
thenku + kai (in Tamil) = 'fruit of the coconut palm tree'].

Esoterical aspect: the breaking of the hard shell(seen as the 
human skull) = shattering of its ego/aaNavam [which is thought of
as a requirement when worshipping/surrendering oneself to the God, 
so that there aren't any desires or others causing obstruction to 
the process---a state attained by getting rid of one's ego].

Symbolism: The "sweet and white substance" revealed by the 
breaking process denotes the 'revelation of sweet sprituality and 
pure truths/aspects'...

It is also said that it has to be broken in >= 3 parts and the
coconut has to be a whole one- w/ the 'mudi(part of the coir, 
still intact---with the shell)'...

Possible references: "Lord Ganesha", published by Saiva Sidhantha
			Church, Hawaii, U.S.A.
                     and/or "(AUM?!) GANESHA", written by, Ratna
			Navaratnam and published by Bharathiya
			Vidya Bawan(?!), India.
    - Both of them more or less cover/convey the same---the first
      one is considered to be concrete whereas the latter has an
      easy-flowing style [IMHO].
      Anyway, both authors' spritual lineage can be traced to
      [saint] siva yOga swaamikaL(of yaazhppaaNam siththar/kuru
      papamparai)...

Note: Ganesha is worshipped by all Hindus thorughout India, both
      [Hindhu]Tamils and [Budhist]Sinhalese in Sri Lanka and by
      the natives of Cambodia, Japan...
      The [Hindhu]Tamils affectionately refer to him as piLLaiyaar
      or vinaayakar...
      He is seen as the 'vigneshwara(n) [remover of obstacles]' and
      is also popular among the children because they are given the
      'sweets' that has been broughtforth to the deity...

Also, in TamilNadu[*not* in Eezham], there is what is known as
"kumba poochei" performed for Lakshmi [Godess of fortune/wealth]
during Navaraathiri [celebrating Shakthi(feminine aspects of the 
GOD): its manifestations---Thurga[for valour], Lakshmi[for wealth] 
and Saraswathi[for education], for nine days.  
["kumbam"- a symbol of good(mankaLam?!) repesented by a 'pot of
	    water holding a coconut surrounded by Mango leaves...]


'Hope it is of some help...

vaNakkam!
/iravi.

PS:  What I've mentioned above are from my readings and personally,
     Coconut, another tropical fruit means to me as a food enhancer:
     - addition of bits in the steamed/fried "kadalai"
     - addition of flowers("thiruval") in vegetable dishes
     - addition of its milk in "curries/sambal" [Kerala, Sri Lanka...]
     and of course as a chutney/condiment for, idli, thOsai and
     vadai...hmm...
     Now, why do I've to think 'bout good/tasty food made w/ coconut 
     [which consumed in large quantities *will* shoot-up one's 
     CHOLESTEROL...!?   ;-)