What is the Indian Legend Regarding the Discovery of Tea?

 

## Table of Contents

- Introduction

- The Legend of Prince Bodhidharma

- The Legend of Prince Dharma

- The Legend of Saint Baba Budan

- Conclusion

 

## Introduction

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, especially in India, where it is consumed by millions of people every day. But how did tea come to India in the first place? There are several legends and myths that attempt to answer this question, each with its own charm and intrigue. In this blog post, we will explore three of the most famous legends regarding the discovery of tea in India: the legend of Prince Bodhidharma, the legend of Prince Dharma, and the legend of Saint Baba Budan.

 

## The Legend of Prince Bodhidharma

One of the most well-known legends about the origin of tea in India is the legend of Prince Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. According to this legend, Prince Bodhidharma was a son of a king in South India who renounced his royal life and became a monk. He traveled to China to spread the teachings of Buddhism and settled in a monastery near the city of Nanjing. There, he decided to meditate for nine years without sleeping or blinking. However, after five years, he felt drowsy and accidentally fell asleep. When he woke up, he was so angry with himself that he cut off his eyelids and threw them away. To his surprise, the eyelids sprouted into plants with shiny green leaves. Curious, he brewed some of the leaves in hot water and drank the infusion. He found that the drink refreshed his mind and body and helped him stay awake. He realized that this was a divine gift and named the plant "tea". He then continued his meditation with renewed vigor and completed his nine-year vow. He also shared the tea with his fellow monks and taught them how to cultivate and prepare it. Thus, tea was introduced to China and later to India by his disciples.

 

## The Legend of Prince Dharma

Another legend about the discovery of tea in India is the legend of Prince Dharma, the third son of King Koshika of India. According to this legend, Prince Dharma was a devout Buddhist who wished to follow the footsteps of Prince Bodhidharma. He also traveled to China to preach Buddhism and arrived at the same monastery where Prince Bodhidharma had meditated. There, he vowed to meditate for nine years without food or water, relying only on his faith. However, after seven years, he was overcome by hunger and thirst and fainted. When he regained consciousness, he saw a brown squirrel holding a twig with some leaves in its mouth. He took the twig from the squirrel and chewed on the leaves. He felt a surge of energy and vitality and thanked the squirrel for saving his life. He then boiled some water and added the leaves to make a drink. He drank the liquid and felt even more refreshed and alert. He realized that this was a miraculous plant and named it "cha", which means "squirrel" in Chinese. He then resumed his meditation and completed his nine-year vow. He also spread the word about the cha plant and its benefits to the people of China and India.

 

## The Legend of Saint Baba Budan

A third legend about the origin of tea in India is the legend of Saint Baba Budan, a 16th-century Sufi saint from India. According to this legend, Saint Baba Budan was a lover of coffee who traveled to Mecca for a pilgrimage. On his way back, he passed through the port of Mocha in Yemen, where he saw the locals drinking a fragrant and invigorating drink made from the leaves of a plant called "shai". He was curious and asked for a cup of the drink. He was amazed by the taste and the effect of the drink and wanted to take some of the leaves back to India. However, he learned that the shai plant was a closely guarded secret of the Arabs and that it was forbidden to take it out of the country. Undeterred, he smuggled seven seeds of the shai plant in his beard and managed to reach India safely. He then planted the seeds in the hills of Chikmagalur in Karnataka, where they grew into healthy bushes. He named the plant "chai", which means "tea" in Arabic. He then shared the chai with his followers and the local people, who loved it. Thus, tea was introduced to India and became a popular drink.

 

## Conclusion

These are some of the legends and myths that explain how tea was discovered in India. Whether they are true or not, they reflect the rich and diverse culture and history of India and its people. Tea is more than just a drink; it is a symbol of spirituality, hospitality, and harmony. Next time you sip a cup of tea, remember the stories behind it and enjoy the flavor and aroma of this wonderful beverage.