Saurabh Shankar ।

Sacred is more than just a book—it’s a movement, a powerful narrative that calls on us to view plants not merely as resources, but as living embodiments of the divine. In this book, published by Penguin, Vasudha Rai delves into the sacred significance of over 40 plants in Indian traditions, from the revered Peepal and Banyan trees to the aromatic frankincense and resilient neem. In each chapter, she explores their spiritual, medicinal, and ecological roles, urging readers to reconsider how we perceive and protect nature.

Worship Beyond Rituals
Vasudha Rai critiques the transactional nature of modern worship, where offerings to trees and rivers are made with the expectation of personal gain, yet little attention is paid to genuine conservation. She argues that true reverence is not found in rituals but in active preservation—an argument reinforced by troubling statistics. For example, despite global commitments, the world lost 16 million acres of forests in 2023, further exacerbating climate crises and species extinction.

Where Science Meets Spirituality
Sacred blends scientific research with spiritual wisdom, presenting compelling studies on how plants like frankincense, haritaki, and sandalwood not only hold deep cultural significance but also offer profound health and ecological benefits. From reducing airborne microbes by over 90% to improving memory and emotional well-being, these plants provide modern solutions to pressing health challenges while maintaining their cultural and spiritual importance.

A Manifesto for Sustainable Living
Rai’s narrative serves as a passionate call to embrace a sustainable way of life—one that cherishes planting trees, preserving forests, and recognizing the irreplaceable value of biodiversity. She challenges readers to take simple yet impactful actions, such as planting trees on birthdays, protecting mature trees from deforestation, and integrating ancient plant rituals into daily life to foster ecological harmony.

About the Author

Vasudha Rai is a bestselling author, columnist, podcaster, and award-winning journalist with over two decades of experience writing about beauty and wellness. Her debut book, Glow: Indian Foods, Recipes, and Rituals for Beauty, Inside & Out, revived the use of traditional ingredients in everyday life. In her second book, Ritual: Daily Practices for Wellness, Beauty & Bliss, she adapts age-old practices to suit modern lifestyles. A certified yoga teacher with 300 hours of training, Vasudha has also taught yoga at The Yoga Studio in Delhi.

Availability
Sacred by Vasudha Rai will be launched on April 12, 2025.

How book Begins

It is a few days past Navaratri, a festival where the goddess is worshipped for nine days in a row. Now that the celebrations are over and we have officially entered the auspicious time of the year, a few people are gathered near my house to axe an ancient tree, which (barely grazing their plot) needs to be removed to make way for stilt parking. The irony doesn’t escape my notice: On the one hand, we worship the various forms of the goddess and on the other, we plunder the earth, which is the most relevant goddess for us humans. Our planet provides us food and shelter. The trees that nourish the earth goddess provide us with precious oxygen, enrich the soil and prevent its erosion. Trees also provide shade and opportunities for economic growth, whether it is through farming, enriching the soil or providing shelter. But since humans lack foresight, we slaughter forests to make way for human settlements and only focus on short-term gains. We forget that nurturing nature means nurturing ourselves and everything man-made increases toxicity and pollution……

For further reading, you can purchase the book from various platforms.