All You need to know about Madhavi Lata: Hiptage Plant

In Hinduism, the Madhavi Lata (hiptage plant) is revered and linked with Lord Vishnu. Madhavi (Goddess Lakshmi) is Vishnu’s wife as Madhava, according to the Vishnu Purana, and the plant is named after her.

Madhavi Lata represents the creeping vine, while Vishnu represents the tree to which she clings for support.

The plant has been known to Hindus from ancient times, and it is mentioned in several old Hindu scriptures. The plant’s blossom is compared to a weak young woman who clings to her husband for support, which is depicted by the powerful mango tree.

Kalidasa mentions Madhavi Lata in his classic play Shakuntala.

“When Rishi Kanava learned that his daughter Shakuntala had met the man of her choice, King Dushyanta, he told her that he had been seeking for a lovely mango tree (referring to Dushyanta) for a long time and that he would now marry his Madhavi Lata (Shakuntala)”.