Hemp or “Vijaya” is a misunderstood plant with many multifaceted properties has been cultivated for thousands of years for many different purposes like in food, medicine and for rituals as well. Vijaya has gained recognition because of its numerous health benefits and it has a deep-rooted history in Indian Culture.

 There is a story mentioned in Bhagwat Purana that tells us how Hemp came to be known as “Vijaya” or The King of the Herbs and it is that Gods wanted to create a nectar of immortality and they went to Lord Vishnu to help them do so and Lord Vishnu advised them to join forces with the Demons for churning the ocean of milk called Mount Mandara. It is believed that before the arrival of the immortality nectar, a small drop emerged from the depth of the ocean and to honour this occasion the Cannabis plant was named “Vijaya” which means Victory.

Vijaya has been mentioned in many ancient texts like Vedas and Puranas and many other scriptures. Hemp or “Bhaang” is considered a very sacred plant in India due to its significance to Lord Shiva is mentioned in “Atharva Ved” which is known to be one of the oldest Indian scripture.

 It is one of the four Vedas and others are Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samveda. The origins of Atharva Veda can be traced back to around 1200 BCE or earlier. Lord Shiva is often seen wearing a garland of hemp leaves and is sometimes referred to as “Lord of Bhaang”.

 

This tells us how much importance Hemp is given in our culture and that is not for no reason, it is because Hemp has life-changing healing properties and is capable of providing immense benefits when consumed in the right manner.

We have been using Hemp for its medicinal properties for ages. Ayurveda always believed that hemp could be used to treat a wide range of ailments which had little to no cure.

Not just for the healing properties but Hemp is also used for many religious rituals and holds a great value in Indian culture. For example, Hemp is widely used in festivals like Holi and Shivratri and these festivals can never be celebrated without the use of Hemp. It is not just a plant but a sentiment of Indian culture.

 

Hemp is often confused with “Marijuana” and people believe it can induce psychoactive properties when consumed but that is completely false. Hemp is safe and pure and will never cause any kind of euphoric sensation or psychoactive properties because the compound that is responsible for doing so is less than 0.3% in Hemp and that compound is THC also known as Tetrahydrocannabinol.

 

Moreover, Hemp is a a complete protein source making it a nutrition powerhouse which is an excellent choice for your heart and brain. Filled with essential fatty acids, protein, vitamins and minerals Hemp can be a total game changer for you if added to your diet. So, let’s honour our legacy and cherish the versatile nature of “Vijaya” which has always been the first choice for our ancestors.