Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s17.272

v1.c3.s17.272

Tila denotes in the Atharvaveda¹ and later² the sesamum plant, and particularly its grains, from which a rich oil (Taila) was extracted. It is often³ mentioned in connexion with Māṣa, ‘kidney bean.’ The Taittirīya Saṃhitā⁴ attributes the bean and the sesamum to the winter (hemanta) and the cool (śiśira) seasons. The stalk of the sesamum plant (tila-piñjī,⁵ til-piñja⁶) was used for fuel, and the seed was boiled in the form of porridge (tilaudana⁷) for food.