Pramāṇa · Search · About · API

Vanaspati: Plants and Plant-Life as in Indian Treatises and Traditions c5.s9: Section IX. Miscellaneous Application of the Science

Vanaspati: Plants and Plant-Life as in Indian Treatises and Traditions c5.s9

Language
English

Contents

Section IX. Miscellaneous Application of the Science

1. As a means of Economic Predictions

c5.s9.t1.1

A chapter¹ in the *Brihat Samhitā* is devoted towards the subject :

c5.s9.t1.2

¹ Here translated for the first time by the author. Chap. 29, Vol. I, pages 422-426.

c5.s9.t1.3

"फलकुसुम-सम्पद्वृद्धिं वनस्पतीनां विलोक्य विज्ञेयम् ।
सुलभत्वं द्रव्याणां निष्पत्तिश्चापि शस्यानाम् ॥"

c5.s9.t1.4

"One can infer the cheapness (सुलभत्वम्) of commodities by means of looking at the abundance of the growth and development of flowers and fruits in certain trees." 1.

c5.s9.t1.5

One can infer the cheapness (सुलभत्वम्)—

c5.s9.t1.6

"Of *Kalamu Śāli* (paddy) from the abundant growth of flowers and fruits of *Śāla* (Shorea robusta), of red *Śāli* from red *Aśoka* (Saraca indica), of *Pāṇduka* (a variety of *Śāli* paddy) from *Dugdhikā* (Asclepias sp.) and of *Sukaruka* (paddy) from blue *Aśoka* (नीलाशोकेन )." 2.

c5.s9.t1.7

"Of *Yavaka* (a variety of *Śāli*) from *Nyagrodha* (Ficus bengalensis), of *Śashṭika* from *Tinduka* (Diospyros melanoxylon), and of all Cereals (सर्वशस्यानाम्) from *Aśwattha* (Ficus religiosa)." 3.

c5.s9.t1.8

“Of *Tilam* (Sesamum indicum) and *Māsha* (Phaseolus mungo var. Roxburghii) from *Jambu* (Eugenia jambolana); of *Priyaṅgu* (Panick) from *Śirīsha* (Mimosa sirisa), of Wheat from *Madhuka* (Bassia latifolia), and Barley from *Saptaparṇa* (Echites scholaris).” 4.

c5.s9.t1.9

“Of *Gossypium* (कर्पासम्) from the abundance of *Atimuktaka* (Aganosma caryophyllata) and *Kunda* (Jasminum sp.); of *Sarshapa* (mustard) from *Asana* (Terminalia tomentosa); *Kulattha* (Dolichos biflorus) from *Vadarī* (Zizyphus jujuba); and *Mudga* (Phaseolus radiatus) from *Karañja* (Galedupa arborea or Robinia mistis).” 5.

c5.s9.t1.10

“*Atasī* (linseed) from the flowers of *Vetasa* (Calamus rotung); *Kodrava* (Paspalum frumentaceum) from the flowers of *Palāśa* (Butea frondosa); *Śaṅkha* (Mother pearl), *Mukta* (pearl) and Silver from the *Tilaka* (Sesamum indicum) and *Śaṇa* (?) from *Ingudī* (Balanites Roxburghii).” 6.

c5.s9.t1.11

“Elephants from *Hastīkarṇa* (Ricinus communis) and Horses from *Asvakarṇa* (a variety of Shorea robusta); Kine from *Pātalā* (Bignonia) and Goats and Lambs from *Plantain*.” 7.

c5.s9.t1.12

“Gold from the flowers of *Champaka* (Michelia champaka), cheapness (सम्पत्) of *Bidruma* (coral) from *Bandhujīva* (Pentapetes phœnicea or Ixora coccinea); *Bajram* (a kind of gem) from the overgrowth (वृक्ष) of *Kuruvaka* (Barleria cristata, purple variety) and Vaidūryyam from Nandikāvartta (Tabernaemontana coronaria).” 8.

c5.s9.t1.13

“One can infer the cheapness of Mouktika (pearls) from the Sindhuvāra (Vitex trifolia) ; (longevity and prosperity) of Artists (कारुकाः) from the Kushumbha (Safflower) ; and those of the Rājā (king) from the red lotus and of Minister from the blue lotus.” 9.

c5.s9.t1.14

“ (Prosperity of) a Śreshthi (trader) is to be inferred from the Suvarṇapushpa (Cassia fistula), of the Brāhmaṇas from the lotus ; of the Purohita (king’s spiritual preceptor) from the Nymphaea alba (white lily) ; of the Senāpati (commander-in-chief) from the Saugandhika (a variety of the lotus), and increase of gold (wealth) from the Arka (Calotropis gigantea).” 10.

c5.s9.t1.15

“ (General) well-being is indicated by the Mango; danger (fear) by the Bhallātaka (Semecarpus anacardium) ; recovery (from illness) by the Pīlu (Salvadora indica or persica); famine by the overgrowth of Khadira (Acacia catechu), and Śamī (Mimosa suma) ; and good (शोभना) rain by the Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna).” 11.

c5.s9.t1.16

“Abundance of crop (सुभिक्षम्) by the flowers of Pichumanda (Melia azadirachta) and Nāga-kusuma (Mesua ferrea), good air (climate) by Kapittham (Feronia elephantum); fear of draught (अवृष्टभयम्) by Nichula (Eugenia acutangula), and epidemic (fear of disease) by *Kutaja* (Holarrhena antidysenterica).” 12.

c5.s9.t1.17

“*Ikshu* (sugarcane) by the flowers of *Dūrvā* (Agrostis linearis) and *Kuśa* (Darva—Poa cynosuroides); fear of fire by *Kovidāra* (Bauhinia acuminata); and the increase of prostitutes by the overgrowth of *Syāma-latā* (Ichnocarpus frutescens).” 13.

c5.s9.t1.18

Signs of coming rains (वृष्टिलक्षणम्) :

c5.s9.t1.19

“When *Vrikshas* (trees), *Gulmas* (shrubs and herbs) and *Latās* (creepers), become full of *snigdha* (graceful) and *nishchchhidra* (entire, untorn) leaves, (it is sure) that rains are coming; and when the plants (trees, etc.), bear leaves that are dry, ungraceful (रुक्षः), torn with many holes (छिद्रैः), it predicts scarcity of water, *i.e.*, of coming drought.” 14.

c5.s9.t1.20

तथा च पराशरः—

c5.s9.t1.21

“अच्छिद्रपत्राः सुस्निग्धाः फलपुष्पसमन्विताः ।
निर्दिशन्ति शुभं वृक्षा विपरीतं विगर्हिताः ॥”

c5.s9.t1.22

We have in Bengal a common saying¹ of a similar import:

c5.s9.t1.23

¹ आमे धान तेंतुले बान ।

c5.s9.t1.24

“Abundance of mango forebodes an abundance of paddy crop; and Tamarind—flood.”

c5.s9.t1.25

2. As a means of ascertaining the presence of water in a dreary region:

c5.s9.t1.26

This chapter only gives a brief representation of the art through some select verses quoted from Brihat Samhitā where an elaborate chapter¹ containing some 115 slokas, is devoted to the topic. Thus:

c5.s9.t1.27

¹ Translated for the first time by the author. Chap. 53, Vol. II, pp. 706-742.

c5.s9.t1.28

“ . . . . . Just as there are veins and arteries in the human system (carrying blood) up and down, so there are passages (शिरा:) within the bowels of the earth at different depths carrying water.” ... 1.

c5.s9.t1.29

“ If one finds a Vetasa plant (Calamus rotung) in a waterless tract, one is sure to find water by digging the ground at a distance of 3 cubits to the west of it half a purusha below the earth.” (one purusha is equal to 120 angulas—about 7 ft.). 6.

c5.s9.t1.30

“ If you find a Jambu (Blackberry) tree in such a land dig a hole 2 purushas deep, 3 cubits to the north of it, and you will find water running in a vein eastward.” 8.

c5.s9.t1.31

“ If there be ant-hills close by to the east of the said Jambu tree you will surely find sweet water in a pit dug 2 purushas deep, 3 cubits to the south of it.” 9.

c5.s9.t1.32

“If a *Udumbara* (Ficus glomerata) tree is seen you are sure to find sweet water flowing in a vein, in a pit dug 2½ *purushas* deep, 3 cubits to the west of it.” 11.

c5.s9.t1.33

“If an ant-hill is found to the north of an *Arjuna* (Terminalia arjuna) tree, water will be found there 3½ *purushas* under the earth, at a distance of 3 cubits to the west of that tree.” 12.

c5.s9.t1.34

“If *Nirguṇḍī* (Vitex trifolia) tree is found with an ant-hill, one will find tasteful water in a pit 2 *purushas* deep, 3 cubits towards the south.” 14.

c5.s9.t1.35

“If a *Vadarī* (Zizyphus jujuba) and a *Palāśa*-tree (Butea frondosa) are found together you will find good water, 3 *purushas* under the earth, 3 cubits towards the west of the former.” 17.

c5.s9.t1.36

“When a *Vilva* (Aegle marmelos) and an *Udumbara* (Ficus glomerata) tree are found growing together, you will get water 3½ *purushas* under the surface of the earth at a distance of 3 cubits from the trees.” 18.

c5.s9.t1.37

“Where to the north-east of a *Kovidāra* (Bauhinia acuminata) tree is found a white ant-hill with *Darva* (grass) over it, water will be found between them 5½ *purushas* under the ground.” 27.

c5.s9.t1.38

“If a frog is detected living beneath a tree one will surely get water 4½ *purushas* under the ground towards the north of that tree.” 31.

c5.s9.t1.39

“If an ant-hill inhabited by a serpent is found to the north of a *Madhuka* (Bassia latifolia) tree, you will get water at a distance of 5 cubits from the tree, 7½ *purushas* under the ground.” 35.

c5.s9.t1.40

“If you find a Palmyra tree or a Cocoanut tree with ant-hills, you will have a vein of good water flowing at a distance of 6 cubits to the west of either of the above trees 4 *purushas* under the ground.” 40.

c5.s9.t1.41

“There is water by the trees that are sappy, have long branches, or very dwarfish, or very spreading. And there will be no water near the trees that are sickly, have unhealthy leaves, and vapid.” 49.

c5.s9.t1.42

“Water will be found 4½ *purushas* below the ground at a distance of three cubits to the north of the following trees surrounded by ant-hills: *Tilaka*, *Âmrātaka*, *Varuṇaka*, *Bhallātaka*, *Vilva*, *Tinduka*, *Aṅkola*, *Piṇḍara*, *Śirīsa*, *Arjuna*, *Parushaka*, *Vañjula* and *Atibalā*.” 50 & 51.

c5.s9.t1.43

“If a thorny tree (e.g. *Khadira*) is found in the midst of thornless ones (like *Palāśa*), or a thornless tree is found in the midst of thorny ones, water will be found 3 *purushas* under the ground at a distance of 3 cubits to the west of such a tree.” 53.

c5.s9.t1.44

“If a *Kaṇṭakārika* (Solanum sp.) plant is found without thorns and with white flowers, 18 water will surely be found under it at a depth of 3½ *purushas*.” 57.

c5.s9.t1.45

“The region where trees, shrubs and creepers are graceful possessing leaves that are untorn (entire) there are veins of water 3 *purushas* below the ground. Or where there are *Sthala-padma*, *Gokshura*, *Usira*, *Kula* with *Gundra*, *Kāśa*, *Kuśa*, *Nālik* or *Nāla* (all grasses); or where there are *Kharjjūra*, *Jambu*, *Arjuna*, *Vetasa*, or trees, shrubs or herbs with milky juice, or *Chhatrā*, *Hāstikarṇa*, *Nāgakeśara*, *Padma*, *Nīpa*, *Naktamāla* with *Sindhubāra* or *Vibhītaka*, *Madayantikā*, there will be found water 3 *purushas* below, even if it be on the mountain upon another mountain, i.e., on a very high ground.” 100, 101 & 102.

c5.s9.t1.46

“Where there are *Śāka*, *Aśwakarṇa*, *Arjuna*, *Vilvasarjja*, *Śriparṇi*, *Arishta*, *Dhaba*, *Śiṃśapā* with leaves torn (i.e., unhealthy), and where the trees, shrubs and creepers look ungraceful, water is to be inferred to be off from that locality.” 105.

c5.s9.t1.47

The art of ascertaining the presence of water through its vegetable accessories reached a great perfection in India. It became a matter of common knowledge as it would be evident from the following anecdote summarised from a *Jātaka* story.¹

c5.s9.t1.48

¹ Story No. 2, Vaṇṇupatha Jātaka, Vol. I, Cambridge Ed., 1895.

c5.s9.t1.49

Once upon a time the Bodhisattva born as a merchant, set out on a mercantile adventure. While passing through a wilderness he lost his wood and water. In his eager search for water he "ranged to and fro, while it was still early and cool until he came on a clump of Kuśa grass. "This grass," thought he, "can only have grown up here, thanks to the presence of water underneath." He caused a hole to be dug and "up rose the water in the hole till it was as high as a palm tree."

Cites (2)