History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c24.s3.t1.10

v1.c24.s3.t1.10

The Suśrutasaṃhitā also accepts the classification of soil into six each, on the basis of their distinctive odour (gandha), colour (varṇa) and taste (rasa) (Sūtra 37.11). It adds another classification according to the qualities of the five elements, earth (pṛthvī), water (ambu), fire (agni), wind (anila) , and sky (ākāśa), being predominant in them, and enumerates their characteristic features (Ibid.4). It describes sādhāraṇa soil as one which is endowed with all the properties (Ibid. 13). For medicinal plants it recommends soil with distinct features (Ibid.2). The classification of land into three types was evidently known to Varāhamihira. He does not give full details about them. But, he has listed sixteen trees that are the characteristic products of anupa land (Bṛhatsaṃhitā 54.11).