Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s20.716

v1.c3.s20.716

Nyag-rodha, ‘growing downwards,’ is the name of the *Ficus indica*, a tree remarkable for sending down from its branches fibres which take root and form new stems. Though the tree is not mentioned by name in the Rigveda, it appears to have been known, as Pischel¹ has shown from a hymn² in which its characteristics may be recognized. It is frequently mentioned in the Atharvaveda³ and the later literature.⁴ The sacrificial bowls (*Camasa*) were made of its wood.⁵ It was doubtless of the greatest importance, as in modern times, to the Vedic village. The sister tree, the Aśvattha (*Ficus religiosa*), already occurs in the Rigveda.