The Geography of the Puranas c7.s1.4

c7.s1.4

In the Ṛgveda most of all the importance appears to have been attached to natural vegetation, fauna and human groups (tribes), settlements and occupations. A classification of natural vegetation into vṛkṣa (trees), oṣadhi or virudha (shrubs) and tṛṇa (grass) and characteristics of different plants² in each group are provided in the Ṛgveda (10, 97). Natural vegetation played an important part in the religion of the Āryans. Ritual performances were made by using numerous products derived from plants, and certain plants acquired the status of gods. As such, all these plants have an important place in later literature, especially in the Purāṇas. The same applies to animals which were classified by Vedic Āryans as wild beasts (mṛga), amphibious animals (śiṃśumāra), aquatic animals (purīkāyas), insects and worms (kīṭa), birds (pakṣī) and domestic animals.