A History of Agriculture in India v1.c27.s2.19

v1.c27.s2.19

Apart from the Jatakas or legends of the previous lives of the Buddha, a number of trees are represented in the sculptures. Cunningham identified seven Bodhi trees. Of these, *pipal* (*Ficus religiosa*) is the Bodhi tree of Sakya Muni. The other five trees of the other Buddhas are: banyan or *Nyagrodha* (*Ficus benghalensis*), the Bodhi tree of Kasyapa; gular or udumbara (*Ficus glomerata*), the Bodhi tree of Kanaka Muni; Sirisa (*Albizia lebbeck*), the Bodhi tree of Krakuchhanda; Sal (*Shorea robusta*), the Bodhi tree of Vishwabahu; Patali tree (*Bignonia suaveolens*), the Bodhi tree of Vipaswi. All these trees are shade-giving, and it is not surprising that in a hot country man expressed his gratitude to them in this manner, and gave them the title of ‘Bodhi’. Apart from these six trees, Pundarika or White Lotus, is the symbol of Sikhi. While his remaining identifications are correct, what Cunningham identified as Patali tree is in fact the asoka tree, *Sarasa asoca* (*S. indica*). The sacred Bodhi trees at Bharhut are so accurately sculpted that it is easy to identify them (Fig. 165b).