Vanaspati: Plants and Plant-Life as in Indian Treatises and Traditions c6.t2.63

c6.t2.63

The Indian science of medicine deals with remedies both positive and negative, both preventive and curative. It takes into account man, not only in a state of disease but also in a state of health. It aims both at security and the prolongation of life. And in some of the hymns of the Atharva, we find mention of plants which either by themselves or in association with incantations lead to longevity. Most important of these plants are *Aparājitā*, *Parṇa*, *Palāśa*, *Aśwattha*, *Tālīśa* and *Śiṃśapā*. Prosperity is sought to be brought about by the defeat of foes too, which, curious as it might seem, could be brought about by the use of plants possessing supernatural properties. The plant *Aparājitā* (Clitoria ternata) is, as its etymology shows, born to grant invincibility, and the practice prevalent in Bengal of using it round one’s upper arm on the great *Bijoyā* day is a revival of the past practice. The dead past is still living in the living present. Quotations made below bear on the above remarks: