The Secret of Pandavara Batti – Plant Used as Torch by Pandavas

Pandavara Batti or Pandava Batti is an evergreen shrubby branched medicinal plant known as Priyangu in sanskrit, large-leaf beauty berry in english, aisar and jhijak in marathi, kattu-ke-kumil in tamil, bodiga chettu in telugu. its tree height can be up to 1-5 meters depending on the species. Its species growing in the himalayan region grows up to about 2 meters high. Its young branches, undersides, leaf petioles and flower-cluster-stalks are velvety woolly, leaves opposite each other, lance ovate shaped to lance oblong shaped, tapering (shortening to elongated), rounded at the edges toothed, hairless above, yellowish or fuzzy and dark green below and velvety woolly. The size of the leaves of this species growing in the himalayan region is 10-25 cm long, 5-7.5 cm wide and the length of the leaf-stalk is up to 1.0-1.5 cm.

Scientific name is callicarpa tomentosa, its family is verbenaceae (verbena family). Priyangu or pandava batti is considered a medicinal plant since ancient times and in the scriptures, maharishi charak called it “urine bleaching” i.e. Purifying urine and decolorizing its color and “purish collectable” i.e. Facilitating the flow of stool and increasing it. It is a group of herbs. Various masters of ayurveda have also classified it in different classes as herbs in their texts.

History

It is such a plant that when a little oil is applied on the leaf, that leaf burns like the wick of a lamp and starts giving light. It is said in the legends that when the pandavas went to exile, they lit the tree by applying oil to the leaves and burning them. Due to which the name of this plant was given as pandava batti or “Pandavara Batti” which means torch or torch of the pandavas.

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Where is Pandavar Batti found?

The plant is mainly found within the Western Ghats in India and Sri Lanka and is used in many South Indian temples such as the Ayyanar Temple and Bhairavara Temple in Tamil Nadu.

Flowers, Fruits and Seeds

The flowers of pandavara batti or pandava batti are in the form of dense conical clusters, up to 5 cm long with a bifurcated form of petals and branches, consisting of flower-cluster-stalks 12.5 cm long. Its flowers are about 4 mm across, pink or red in color. The calyx is about 1.7 mm long, bell-shaped, moderately 4-toothed, densely velvety-hairy. Each flower is in the form of a tube, about 2.5 mm long, similar to the calyx, with a somewhat 2-wrapped, 4-shortened lobe. Its stamens are 4 in number, about 0.8 mm long, ovate-oblong prominently spread. The fruit is white in colour, 2–3 mm in diameter, globular, with a hard endocarp that usually breaks into four, 1-seeded pyrenes.

Benefits of pandavara batti or pandava batti

Medicinal use of pandavara batti or pandava batti:

• Its fruits are somewhat astringent in taste, somewhat like berries, but they are used in making wine and jellies.
• A paste of its bark is applied on the forehead for the treatment of headache.
• Priyangu bark powder is also used to rub on gums in inflammation and irritation of gums and to be used in face packs to improve the complexion of the face.
• Priyangu bark powder is used as a dusting powder to control bleeding from wounds.
• A decoction of the bark of priyangu (callicarpa macrophylla) is given in a dosage form of 30-40 ml to stop internal bleeding in cases of peptic ulcer, internal hemorrhoids.

Ayurvedic medicines of pandavara batti or pandava batti

• Devdarvarishta is an ayurvedic medicine, which has been traditionally used for the treatment of skin diseases, especially due to digestive diseases, complications of diabetes and difficulties in urinary excretion.

What is Pandavara Batti?

Pandavara Batti, also called Priyangu in Sanskrit, is a medicinal shrub from the Verbenaceae family.

• Scientific Name: Callicarpa tomentosa
• English Name: Large-leaf beauty berry
• Marathi Name: Aisar or Jhijak
• Tamil Name: Kattu-ke-Kumil
• Telugu Name: Bodiga Chettu

Its height can range from 1–5 meters, depending on the species. The Himalayan variant grows up to 2 meters tall.

Leaf Characteristics:

• Young branches and leaf undersides are velvety-woolly.
• Leaves are opposite, lance ovate to oblong, with toothed edges.
• Upper surface is smooth and dark green, while the underside is yellowish and hairy.
• Leaf size: 10–25 cm long, 5–7.5 cm wide, with petioles (leaf stalks) up to 1–1.5 cm long.

Mythology and Legends

According to Mahabharata legends, the Pandavas discovered that when the leaves of this plant are coated with oil, they burn steadily like a lamp wick. During their exile, they are believed to have used these natural “green torches” to navigate through dense forests at night. This unique property earned the plant its legendary name “Pandavara Batti.”

Scientific Explanation for Torch Property

The leaves of Callicarpa tomentosa have a high cellulose and oil-absorption capacity, which allows them to burn when coated with natural oils like mustard or sesame. This is not magic but a natural physical property of the plant’s fibrous structure, which makes it function like a natural wick.

Flowers, Fruits, and Seeds

• Flowers: Dense conical clusters (5 cm long), pink or reddish, bell-shaped calyx (1.7 mm), tube-shaped corolla (2.5 mm).
• Stamens: 4 in number, 0.8 mm long.
• Fruits: Small white berries (2–3 mm in diameter), which are slightly astringent and break into four pyrenes (each with 1 seed).

Quick Guide: How to Use Pandavara Batti as a Torch?

1. Take 2–3 fresh leaves.
2. Coat them with mustard or coconut oil.
3. Twist the leaf tip and attach to a bamboo stick.
4. Light with a flame — the leaf burns slowly like a wick, producing steady light.

FAQs about Pandavara Batti

Q1: Is Pandavara Batti rare?

Yes, it’s not commonly found in urban areas and is mostly seen in forested regions of Western Ghats and Sri Lanka.

Q2: Can I grow Pandavara Batti at home?

Yes, it can be grown from seeds or cuttings in well-drained soil, but it requires a warm, humid climate.

Q3: What are the medicinal benefits of Priyangu?

It aids in skin healing, gum care, headache relief, and internal bleeding control.

Q4: Why is it called Pandava Batti?

Due to its torch-like burning property, associated with the Pandavas’ exile stories.

Q5: Is it used in modern Ayurveda?

Yes, it is an ingredient in medicines like Devdarvarishta, used for skin and digestive disorders.