Why dhatura/ thorn apple is used in shiva puja and why is it auspicious?

%बी %डी %वाई, 10 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

Why is dhatura or thorn apple used in worshipping Lord Shiva? Why is Lord Shiva so appeased with Thorn apple or Dhatura, even when it is intoxicating and poisonous?

Why dhatura/ thorn apple is used in shiva puja and why is it auspicious?

If you’ve ever walked into a Lord Shiva temple, especially during the holy month of Shravan, you must have noticed something curious lying on the Shiva lingam besides the usual bilva leaves and streams of milk as a spiky, green fruit known as dhatura or thorn apple.

At first glance, it feels odd, almost puzzling. Why would anyone offer a plant that is famously poisonous and avoided in daily life to one of the most beloved deities?

Yet, this very fruit has been an integral part of Shiva worship for centuries, carrying with it layers of mythology, symbolism, and spiritual meaning that most of us don’t fully realize.

Understanding why dhatura holds such a sacred place in Shiva puja is not just about knowing a ritual; it’s about diving into the deeper philosophy of Lord Shiva himself as his acceptance of everything society calls impure, his compassion for all beings, and his ability to turn even poison into something divine.

What is the mythological connection between Lord Shiva and the poison Halahala?

When we dive into the stories of Hindu mythology, one of the most striking tales about Lord Shiva is his connection with the deadly poison Halahala. This episode unfolds during the great Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean by gods and demons in search of amrit, the nectar of immortality.

As the ocean was churned, instead of nectar, the first thing that emerged was Halahala, a poison so fierce that its very fumes threatened to destroy all life across the three worlds.

Neither the gods nor the demons were capable of handling it, and panic spread among them. In that moment of cosmic crisis, they turned to Lord Shiva, the compassionate protector of the universe.

Without hesitation, Lord Shiva consumed the poison to save creation, an act of supreme sacrifice that showed his boundless courage and love for all beings.

However, the poison was so potent that even Lord Shiva’s divine body could not safely contain it. To prevent it from harming him, his consort Goddess Parvati gently pressed his throat, stopping the poison from descending into his body.

It remained lodged in his throat, which turned a deep blue, earning him the name Neelkantha, meaning “the blue-throated one.” This story is more than just mythology as it’s a powerful reminder of selflessness and protection.

It paints Lord Shiva not just as a destroyer but also as a savior who takes the world’s suffering upon himself so that life may continue.

Even today, when devotees worship Lord Shiva, especially during festivals like Maha Shivratri, they remember this sacrifice and offer cooling items like milk, water, and dhatura to soothe him, honoring the moment he bore unimaginable pain for the sake of everyone else.

Why is Dhatura considered as a symbol of detachment and fearlessness?

Dhatura is often seen as a symbol of detachment because of the way it grows and survives in nature. It doesn’t bloom in carefully tended gardens or fertile farmlands but rather in barren, rocky places where hardly any other plant survives.

In Hindu thought, this quality mirrors the life of an ascetic as someone who withdraws from worldly pleasures and thrives in simplicity, just like Lord Shiva himself.

The plant’s spiky, unattractive fruit also reflects the truth that spirituality isn’t about outer beauty or luxury but about inner strength and renunciation. By offering dhatura to Lord Shiva, devotees symbolically express their desire to let go of material cravings, ego, and attachments, trusting the deity to help them walk a simpler and more focused path in life.

At the same time, dhatura embodies fearlessness. Its association with poison and danger reminds us of Lord Shiva’s act of consuming the halahala during Samudra Manthan, an act that required immense courage and compassion.

Offering this plant to Lord Shiva is like acknowledging life’s darker, more challenging aspects and choosing not to be afraid of them. In a way, it teaches that true devotion is not about avoiding difficulties but facing them head-on, just as Lord Shiva did.

For many devotees, this ritual becomes a quiet reminder that fearlessness doesn’t mean the absence of fear as it means having faith strong enough to rise above it.

What is the scientific and ayurvedic perspective related to Dhatura?

From a scientific point of view, dhatura (thorn apple) is known for its potent alkaloids like atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine. These compounds affect the nervous system and can act as both medicine and poison depending on how they are used.

In controlled doses, these substances have been used in modern medicine for treating asthma, muscle spasms, and even motion sickness because of their ability to relax muscles and reduce secretions. However, the same compounds can be highly toxic if consumed in excess, leading to hallucinations, irregular heartbeat, or even fatal poisoning.

This is why dhatura is never meant for casual consumption and is instead handled carefully in both pharmacological and ritualistic settings. Interestingly, the plant’s thorny exterior and natural growth in barren lands also attract scientific curiosity about its resilience, as it thrives without much care as reflecting why it became part of traditions associated with ascetic deities like Lord Shiva.

In Ayurveda, dhatura is seen through a very different lens as one of balance and energy rather than just toxicity. Ancient Ayurvedic texts describe dhatura as having strong ushna (heating) properties and being beneficial, in small and processed forms, for alleviating certain respiratory issues, pain, and even psychological disturbances like anxiety or insomnia.

It is often mentioned as a plant that must be purified and used only after careful preparation, a process known as shodhana, to remove harmful effects while preserving its healing qualities.

The idea is not to reject the plant for its poisonous nature but to understand and transform its energy for therapeutic purposes, much like how spiritual practices seek to transform negative emotions into wisdom.

This holistic view shows why dhatura earned a place in sacred rituals as its very nature teaches the principle that even what seems dangerous can be turned into something sacred and healing when approached with respect and knowledge.

Why is Dhatura considered auspicious?

Dhatura, despite being a wild and poisonous plant, is seen as auspicious in Shiva puja because of its deep mythological link with Lord Shiva himself. Ancient stories say that when Shiva consumed the deadly poison during the churning of the cosmic ocean to save the world, the dhatura plant sprouted from the drops of that poison.

From that moment, it became a sacred symbol of his sacrifice and strength. Offering dhatura is believed to please Lord Shiva because it represents giving up one’s own inner “poisons” like anger, ego, and greed at his feet, trusting him to purify them.

Another reason dhatura is considered so holy is its association with Shiva’s simplicity and inclusiveness. Unlike lavish offerings, dhatura is something that grows freely in forests, roadsides, and rocky mountains as where Lord Shiva himself is believed to wander in his ascetic form.

It does not need cultivation or wealth to obtain, which makes it an offering that anyone, regardless of their status, can present to him.

Culturally, this makes dhatura a symbol of humility and equality in worship. Its thorny exterior also teaches a subtle lesson: life’s rough and painful aspects, too, have a place in devotion when offered with a pure heart. In this way, the plant reminds devotees that even imperfections and hardships can become sacred when placed in the hands of the divine.

How is Dhatura offered in Shiva Puja?

In Lord Shiva worship, Dhatura holds a special place and is most commonly offered in the form of its white trumpet-shaped flowers or spiky fruits, particularly during significant occasions like Maha Shivaratri, Somvar (Mondays dedicated to Lord Shiva), and Rudrabhishekam (a powerful Vedic ritual involving the chanting of Rudra mantras).

The offering is made with deep reverence, often by placing the fresh Dhatura flowers or fruits directly on the Shiva Linga, accompanied by bilva leaves, which are also considered extremely sacred to Lord Shiva.

In some traditions, the seeds of Dhatura are crushed and mixed with water, creating a symbolic offering that represents the balance between poison and nectar, much like Lord Shiva himself, who neutralized the deadly Halahala poison.

As devotees present this sacred plant, they chant "Om Namah Shivaya", the powerful mantra that invokes Lord Shiva’s divine energy, seeking his blessings to dissolve negativity, fear, and ignorance from their lives.

This ritual is not just an act of devotion but also a reminder of Lord Shiva’s ability to transform even the most toxic aspects of existence into spiritual strength, teaching his followers to face life’s challenges with courage and faith.

However, despite its religious significance, Dhatura is never consumed due to its poisonous nature as its use remains strictly ritualistic, honoring Lord Shiva’s role as the destroyer of evil and the ultimate protector.

Precautions related to the consumption of Dhatura

While Dhatura holds immense sacred value in Lord Shiva worship, it's crucial to remember that its power demands respect and caution. Unlike Lord Shiva, who could neutralize the deadliest poison in his throat, ordinary humans must never consume Dhatura in any form without expert guidance, as its toxic properties can lead to severe harm, or even prove fatal.

The plant's inclusion in rituals is purely symbolic, representing surrender and transcendence rather than literal consumption.

This distinction is vital as Lord Shiva’s divine act of drinking Halahala was a cosmic miracle, not an invitation for reckless experimentation. The deeper lesson here is about balance as recognizing that even the most dangerous forces, when approached with wisdom and devotion, can become instruments of spiritual growth.

By offering Dhatura in worship, devotees acknowledge life's dualities, poison and nectar, destruction and healing, while reaffirming their trust in Shiva’s power to transform adversity into enlightenment. Ultimately, the ritual teaches that true devotion lies not in blind imitation of the divine, but in understanding the sacred boundaries between the mortal and the eternal.

Therefore, Dhatura is more than just a plant as it’s a symbol of life’s paradoxes. Just as Lord Shiva holds poison in his throat without being affected, devotees seek his blessings to overcome life’s hardships with courage and wisdom.

When you see Dhatura in a Lord Shiva temple, remember as it’s not just an offering; it’s a lesson. A lesson that true devotion means trusting the divine even in the face of danger, knowing that the one who can turn poison into nectar will always protect you.

Written by: Nikita, Content Writer, Rudraksha Hub

If there is anything you want to add to this or edit in this, connect with us at wa.me/918542929702 or info@rudrakshahub.com and we shall be happy to help you..!!