History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c24.s4.14

v1.c24.s4.14

In the Vṛkṣāyurveda of Surapāla (passages 161-63) the mantra and its use are provided in a different manner. The mantra says that Hanumān orders and destroys the rats, birds, ants, etc. From Kiṣkindhā Lord Hanumān orders mice, bugs (gandhikā), locusts (śalabha) etc. in a field that, on seeing this royal order, they are to leave the field and go elsewhere, otherwise they will be beaten and destroyed by his tail. This spell is to be written on a leaf, to be recited, and then buried under the earth. This will destroy the sparrows (keca=keñca), worms (kita), flying insects (pataṅga), mice (ākhu), ants (pipīli) etc.