History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c44.25.3

v3.c44.25.3

The Bhaviṣyapurāṇa quoted in the Utsarga-mayūkha (p. 16) states 'he who plants either one aśvattha or one picumarda or one nyagrodha or ten tamarind trees, or the three trees i. e. kapittha, bilva and āmalaka or plants five mango trees would not see hell (i. e. would not be condemned to hell for his sins).²⁰⁸⁶ The Matsyapurāṇa (chap. 270. 28-29) requires that to the east of the *maṇḍapa* of a temple fruit-bearing trees should be planted, to the south trees that contain milky sap, to the west a reservoir of water with lotuses therein should be constructed and to the north a flower garden and *sarala* and *tāla* trees. Vas. Dh. S. 19.11-12 prescribes that no one should injure (i. e. cut) trees that yield fruits and flowers except only for purposes of cultivating the land²⁰⁸⁷ (and for sacrificial purposes, as laid down in Viṣṇu Dh. S. 51. 63). The Viṣṇu Dh. S. V. 55. 59 prescribes that the king should award the highest fine, the middling fine, or a fine of 100 kārṣāpaṇas or of one kārṣāpaṇa respectively against those who wrongfully cut a tree bearing fruit or a tree that bears flowers, or who cut creepers and shrubs or grass.