THOUGHTS FOR HORTICULTURE IN PURANAS

Grip-The Standard Research ISSN-2278-8123

International Referred Online Research Journal

Issue XIV, August 2013

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THOUGHTS FOR HORTICULTURE IN THOUGHTS FOR HORTICULTURE IN THOUGHTS FOR HORTICULTURE IN THOUGHTS FOR HORTICULTURE IN PURPURPURPURĀĀĀĀ��ASASASAS

Dr. Dhananjay Vasudeo Dwivedi

Assistant Professor, Department of Sanskrit,

Ranchi College, Ranchi, Jharkhand-834008

[email protected]

Phone-09431590113

IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction-

Horticulture is related to intensive plant cultivation meant

for human use. It is primarily related to gardening both at individual and

institution level. As far as cultivation is concerned it includes both food

(fruits and vegetables etc.) and non-food (flowers, trees and medicinal

herbs etc.) crops. Horticulturists apply their knowledge and skills




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especially for plant propagation, cultivation, resistance to insects, diseases,

and environmental stresses. It has also to deal with germination of seeds,

plant propagation, nutrition and manuring of plants, growth and

conservation of plants. It can undoubtedly be said that that horticulture

happens when people are in intimate, intensive contact with plants. It is the

interface between people and plants.

Results and DiscussionsResults and DiscussionsResults and DiscussionsResults and Discussions-

It goes without saying that the science of plants or plant life formed a

distinctly comprehensive science in ancient India, a branch of which dealt

in particular with the construction and maintenance of gardens. Indians

had rich knowledge regarding plants right from Vedic times. Throughout

Indian Literature-Mahākāvyas, Kha>?akāvyas, Nā@akas, Gadyakāvyas etc.

flower and flower gardens play an important part. Purā>ic literature too is




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replete with the facts relating to the plants. Planting trees in gardens has

been allotted a special place in the construction of human settlements.

Gardening is the oldest work that men have been interested in. In Purā>ic

literature we find the planting of trees being eulogised to a great extent and

was considered a great religious and social service. After going through

the Purā>as, one could easily draw a conclusion that gardens were

indispensable feature in house and town planning in Purā>ic age.

According to the Purā>as, attached to every house there should be a

VBkCavā@ikā, PuCpavā@iā etc. where fruit trees and flowering plants could

grow. As in all hot climates an expanse of water was an almost essential

feature of the Purā>ic gardens, they also contained artificial lakes and

pools.




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The present article aims at bringing out interesting and relevant

information that are found in Purā>as.

Purā>as have discussed about the effects of different trees planted

around the dwelling of man. According to it the trees known as PlakCas,

should be planted to the north of the dwelling house, the Va@as on the east,

the Mangoes on the south, and the Aśvattha on the west-

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. EFGHIJKL M NOL।EFGHIJKL M NOL।EFGHIJKL M NOL।EFGHIJKL M NOL।

ूRSTUH VRWKXRॆ Z[\]^_L बa\b K N।।ूRSTUH VRWKXRॆ Z[\]^_L बa\b K N।।ूRSTUH VRWKXRॆ Z[\]^_L बa\b K N।।ूRSTUH VRWKXRॆ Z[\]^_L बa\b K N।।1111

The Purā>a further adds that thorny shrubs should be so planted as

to edge the southern boundary of the ground of a house. The flower

Borden should be laid out adjoining a dwelling house, or blooming plants

of Tila should be cultivated therein-

deFbRf edMa NghRL ieaj \ klUkिNaRL।deFbRf edMa NghRL ieaj \ klUkिNaRL।deFbRf edMa NghRL ieaj \ klUkिNaRL।deFbRf edMa NghRL ieaj \ klUkिNaRL।




7


noRp f qrsTRi \ tReIuvR[w j NexKRp y।।noRp f qrsTRi \ tReIuvR[w j NexKRp y।।noRp f qrsTRi \ tReIuvR[w j NexKRp y।।noRp f qrsTRi \ tReIuvR[w j NexKRp y।।2222

The Agni Purā>a suggests that the trees should be planted after

having worshiped the Brāhma>as and their sovereign, the moon god, and

under the auspices of the asterisms presided over by the wind god,

Prajāpati, and the god ViC>u respectively-

qr{|VRिHjV \}rFRe~�f ��f ूj�� ।qr{|VRिHjV \}rFRe~�f ��f ूj�� ।qr{|VRिHjV \}rFRe~�f ��f ूj�� ।qr{|VRिHjV \}rFRe~�f ��f ूj�� ।

ी Nी Nी Nी NTReb j� TRV�f s�f ूR� \MT ��Ta y।।TReb j� TRV�f s�f ूR� \MT ��Ta y।।TReb j� TRV�f s�f ूR� \MT ��Ta y।।TReb j� TRV�f s�f ूR� \MT ��Ta y।।3333

Regarding the plantation of trees and their maintenance, the Agni

Purā>a says that trees such as AriC@a, Punnāga, ŚirīCa, Priya�gu, Aśoka,

Kadalī, Jambū, Bakul, Da?ima, or any other tree planted in a garden

should be watered, each morning and evening, during the summer

months, and on each alternate day during winter, and at the break of dawn

during the rains when the earth would be dry and require watering-




8


�eJ�RMHkj NhRqeMJ|�RL ieूV��L।।�eJ�RMHkj NhRqeMJ|�RL ieूV��L।।�eJ�RMHkj NhRqeMJ|�RL ieूV��L।।�eJ�RMHkj NhRqeMJ|�RL ieूV��L।।

�MHkL kdu| ��MHkL kdu| ��MHkL kdu| ��MHkL kdu| ��wR �kNudRe�aRL।�wR �kNudRe�aRL।�wR �kNudRe�aRL।�wR �kNudRe�aRL।

iRVf ूRK� N �a �iRVf ूRK� N �a �iRVf ूRK� N �a �iRVf ूRK� N �a �I�I�I�I� M|KkRu\ edpR�J\।।M|KkRu\ edpR�J\।।M|KkRu\ edpR�J\।।M|KkRu\ edpR�J\।।

T�R �JRऽ� O NTL MH� \ i \��R JHejKR िNaRL।T�R �JRऽ� O NTL MH� \ i \��R JHejKR िNaRL।T�R �JRऽ� O NTL MH� \ i \��R JHejKR िNaRL।T�R �JRऽ� O NTL MH� \ i \��R JHejKR िNaRL।4444

It adds that Trees planted in rows, twenty cubits apart, should be

deemed as the best planted, while those having a space of sixteen cubits

should be deemed as ranking second best in fruitfulness. Trees should be

transplanted twelve times. Nor should they be planted too close or

adjoining each other, in which case branches that touch one another,

should be lopped off with a chopper, as otherwise they would bear no

fruits-

nIaR eTfMeKs��R a�aRL �H�MR�JRL।।nIaR eTfMeKs��R a�aRL �H�MR�JRL।।nIaR eTfMeKs��R a�aRL �H�MR�JRL।।nIaR eTfMeKs��R a�aRL �H�MR�JRL।।

�RpR�RpR�Jf kR ¡ TrFRbRf }RdMRTJa y।�RpR�RpR�Jf kR ¡ TrFRbRf }RdMRTJa y।�RpR�RpR�Jf kR ¡ TrFRbRf }RdMRTJa y।�RpR�RpR�Jf kR ¡ TrFRbRf }RdMRTJa y।




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eT¢uRL t Np �JR TrFRL M£\bRd� es MH¤pa y।।eT¢uRL t Np �JR TrFRL M£\bRd� es MH¤pa y।।eT¢uRL t Np �JR TrFRL M£\bRd� es MH¤pa y।।eT¢uRL t Np �JR TrFRL M£\bRd� es MH¤pa y।।5555

The process of good growth of plants has been well discussed in Agni

Purā>a. It says that a good growth of trees is secured by sprinkling them

with the washing of fish. Fish and meat, powdered and mixed with a

quantity of pulverised Vi?a�ga, should be sprinkled over a tree by way of

a pregnancy present, or for the purpose of curing it of all distempers-

a¥R¦a¥R¦a¥R¦a¥R¦iR K N i \k\p Tre§O �TeK MRe¨pL।iR K N i \k\p Tre§O �TeK MRe¨pL।iR K N i \k\p Tre§O �TeK MRe¨pL।iR K N i \k\p Tre§O �TeK MRe¨pL।

eT��Kl�NuHj \Kf aR¥f aRfi f es dHsda y।eT��Kl�NuHj \Kf aR¥f aRfi f es dHsda y।eT��Kl�NuHj \Kf aR¥f aRfi f es dHsda y।eT��Kl�NuHj \Kf aR¥f aRfi f es dHsda y।

iT©�RaeTM\� \b TrFRbRf JHqad�pa y।।iT©�RaeTM\� \b TrFRbRf JHqad�pa y।।iT©�RaeTM\� \b TrFRbRf JHqad�pa y।।iT©�RaeTM\� \b TrFRbRf JHqad�pa y।।6666

As regards the various plants diseases the Agnipurā>a states that in

cases where barrenness would be apprehended, the leaves and branches of

a tree should be sprinkled; the leaves and branches of a tree should be

sprinkled over with a solution of cold water, saturated with Vi?a�ga,




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clarified butter, pulverized Mudga, MāCa and Kulattha pulse. Similarly a

tree sprinkled with a solution of cold water, and clarified butter, becomes

laden with abundant fruits and blossoms-

eT��rKjळ�R®\�V\̄ |KTReJbR।eT��rKjळ�R®\�V\̄ |KTReJbR।eT��rKjळ�R®\�V\̄ |KTReJbR।eT��rKjळ�R®\�V\̄ |KTReJbR।

¢upRM\ kNu_�G aR� �a N�° �T±e�u�L।।¢upRM\ kNu_�G aR� �a N�° �T±e�u�L।।¢upRM\ kNu_�G aR� �a N�° �T±e�u�L।।¢upRM\ kNu_�G aR� �a N�° �T±e�u�L।।

�rKM|KjVL i \kL ¢uj NxRV iT�dR।�rKM|KjVL i \kL ¢uj NxRV iT�dR।�rKM|KjVL i \kL ¢uj NxRV iT�dR।�rKM|KjVL i \kL ¢uj NxRV iT�dR।

ZeTkR�Mkr ²�b¡ VT��b¡ eKuRep �।।ZeTkR�Mkr ²�b¡ VT��b¡ eKuRep �।।ZeTkR�Mkr ²�b¡ VT��b¡ eKuRep �।।ZeTkR�Mkr ²�b¡ VT��b¡ eKuRep �।।7777

ViC>udharmottara Purā>a has also come up with certain description

in this regard. It says that if the trees get some disease, first of all they

should be watered with cold water and pasting cow dung, ghee and mud.8

The sprinkling with cold water which have fish is good for mango tree.9

The Saptapar>a tree becomes attractive with the sprinkling of milk.10 For

buds of Mallikā fragrant water is most beneficial.11 For Kharjura, Coconut,




11


Bamboo and Kadalī trees, the sprinkling and salt with water causes their

growth. The Vi?a�ga with rice and flesh is good for all trees.12

Going by the Matsya Purā>a, it becomes clear that Purā>ic seers

knew techniques for promoting inflorescence and fruiting. It says-

�u� �G KwRTb±pR �pRTb±L i Nqe³eOL।।�u� �G KwRTb±pR �pRTb±L i Nqe³eOL।।�u� �G KwRTb±pR �pRTb±L i Nqe³eOL।।�u� �G KwRTb±pR �pRTb±L i Nqe³eOL।।

ndVRedíळM �L i� ��epO ��wR।ndVRedíळM �L i� ��epO ��wR।ndVRedíळM �L i� ��epO ��wR।ndVRedíळM �L i� ��epO ��wR।

Kjp|ViTKjp|ViTKjp|ViTKjp|ViTb±G �Ki|j NxiehO �L।।b±G �Ki|j NxiehO �L।।b±G �Ki|j NxiehO �L।।b±G �Ki|j NxiehO �L।।

M NkjऽepO �GRµ �L �ujऽ �G ORqML।M NkjऽepO �GRµ �L �ujऽ �G ORqML।M NkjऽepO �GRµ �L �ujऽ �G ORqML।M NkjऽepO �GRµ �L �ujऽ �G ORqML।

j�Tb±L iaRk|b±� �¶Tb±�w �T �।।j�Tb±L iaRk|b±� �¶Tb±�w �T �।।j�Tb±L iaRk|b±� �¶Tb±�w �T �।।j�Tb±L iaRk|b±� �¶Tb±�w �T �।।13131313

i.e. The country where the Airāvatī river has its origin there are sweet

smelling lotuses of various colours. Some of the blooming lotuses looked

like the rising Sun, some like the Moon and the Sun. Some looked like

bright gold, and some resembled the Śan flower. The place was full of




12


growing lotuses, of which some looked like the leaf of ŚirīCa, some having

five colours, others many.

It further says-

Tp \]e·p y MR¸uRk|b© iskRJf apHsJa y।Tp \]e·p y MR¸uRk|b© iskRJf apHsJa y।Tp \]e·p y MR¸uRk|b© iskRJf apHsJa y।Tp \]e·p y MR¸uRk|b© iskRJf apHsJa y।

p \ऽयRbi N̈ f jG Ti�f JeKT¤ �pa y।।p \ऽयRbi N̈ f jG Ti�f JeKT¤ �pa y।।p \ऽयRbi N̈ f jG Ti�f JeKT¤ �pa y।।p \ऽयRbi N̈ f jG Ti�f JeKT¤ �pa y।।14141414

i.e. Look at the forest smiling with verdure and nice trees. The whole

atmosphere is so pleasing to the eyes and the nose.

Purā>ic seers not only focused and promoted plantation but also

tried to ensure their protection. They prescribed punishments for those

who were involved in felling trees. Matsya Purā>a says that one who fells

tree having fruits should be fined gold pieces and double the fine should be

imposed on those who cut a tree near a tank, a thoroughfare or a boundary

line-




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TrFf K N i¢uf eº»R i NTb¡ dl�as�eK।TrFf K N i¢uf eº»R i NTb¡ dl�as�eK।TrFf K N i¢uf eº»R i NTb¡ dl�as�eK।TrFf K N i¢uf eº»R i NTb¡ dl�as�eK।

e}q Nbf dl�V\² �p f jew i|e¼ �uRMV\।।e}q Nbf dl�V\² �p f jew i|e¼ �uRMV\।।e}q Nbf dl�V\² �p f jew i|e¼ �uRMV\।।e}q Nbf dl�V\² �p f jew i|e¼ �uRMV\।।15151515

It further adds that those who break fruit trees, arbours, creepers, and

floral plants should be fined one māCa of gold-

º\dpRd¢utRej a�af iRsif ·rKa y।º\dpRd¢utRej a�af iRsif ·rKa y।º\dpRd¢utRej a�af iRsif ·rKa y।º\dpRd¢utRej a�af iRsif ·rKa y।

q N½T¾|uKRpRf � i NTb �t � aR�ka y।।q N½T¾|uKRpRf � i NTb �t � aR�ka y।।q N½T¾|uKRpRf � i NTb �t � aR�ka y।।q N½T¾|uKRpRf � i NTb �t � aR�ka y।।16161616

Even a man chopping grass unnecessarily should be made liable to

pay fine in kārCāpa>a-

TrwR \̄d| KrbtRej dl¿L kR�R �jbf OT\K y।।TrwR \̄d| KrbtRej dl¿L kR�R �jbf OT\K y।।TrwR \̄d| KrbtRej dl¿L kR�R �jbf OT\K y।।TrwR \̄d| KrbtRej dl¿L kR�R �jbf OT\K y।।17171717

Kūrma Purā>a is of the view that one should not cut trees known as

chaitya- � �́ f TrFf p T � eºÀRhRÁN Â|Tpa NÃr� \K y।।� �́ f TrFf p T � eºÀRhRÁN Â|Tpa NÃr� \K y।।� �́ f TrFf p T � eºÀRhRÁN Â|Tpa NÃr� \K y।।� �́ f TrFf p T � eºÀRhRÁN Â|Tpa NÃr� \K y।।18181818 A person who steals even grass,

vegetable he surely falls in hell.19 A person who receives the flower,




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vegetables, water and firewood, besides fruit and roots without being

specifically given, it amounts to theft-

j Nx\ MRkHdk\ kRÂ\ KwR a Nu\ Krb \ ¢u\।j Nx\ MRkHdk\ kRÂ\ KwR a Nu\ Krb \ ¢u\।j Nx\ MRkHdk\ kRÂ\ KwR a Nu\ Krb \ ¢u\।j Nx\ MRkHdk\ kRÂ\ KwR a Nu\ Krb \ ¢u\।

�dIRdRpa�\Vf ap Nf ूRs ू�RjeKL।।�dIRdRpa�\Vf ap Nf ूRs ू�RjeKL।।�dIRdRpa�\Vf ap Nf ूRs ू�RjeKL।।�dIRdRpa�\Vf ap Nf ूRs ू�RjeKL।।20202020

The Brāhma>as can take the flowers for the adoration of the Gods,

but even the flowers should not be collected without the permission of the

owner-

मs|K�Rep j NxReb d\TR� �peT¤� e}�RL।मs|K�Rep j NxReb d\TR� �peT¤� e}�RL।मs|K�Rep j NxReb d\TR� �peT¤� e}�RL।मs|K�Rep j NxReb d\TR� �peT¤� e}�RL।

p �k·Rd\T epVKapp NÅRV k\Tua y।।p �k·Rd\T epVKapp NÅRV k\Tua y।।p �k·Rd\T epVKapp NÅRV k\Tua y।।p �k·Rd\T epVKapp NÅRV k\Tua y।।21212121

For felling or cutting or injuring fruit giving trees one should chant

Æk for one hundred times as an atonement to get rid of his sin- ¢udRpR� N ¢udRpR� N ¢udRpR� N ¢udRpR� N

TrFRbRf º\dp \ �[arÇKa y।TrFRbRf º\dp \ �[arÇKa y।TrFRbRf º\dp \ �[arÇKa y।TrFRbRf º\dp \ �[arÇKa y।22222222 Vāmana Purā>a says that thefting of fruits,




15


wandering and uprooting trees in heinous evil. It is addressed as second

hell-

¢u�\Vf asRjRj f ¢us|p f KwR]Upa y।¢u�\Vf asRjRj f ¢us|p f KwR]Upa y।¢u�\Vf asRjRj f ¢us|p f KwR]Upa y।¢u�\Vf asRjRj f ¢us|p f KwR]Upa y।

º\dp f TrF�RK|pRf e}K|Vf pJkf ·rKa y।।º\dp f TrF�RK|pRf e}K|Vf pJkf ·rKa y।।º\dp f TrF�RK|pRf e}K|Vf pJkf ·rKa y।।º\dp f TrF�RK|pRf e}K|Vf pJkf ·rKa y।।23232323

According to Agni Purā>a stealing flowers, fruits and wood is

immoral act which brings sin to the concerned person- ¢u�¤L kNi Na�\Va¤ � ¡ � ¢u�¤L kNi Na�\Va¤ � ¡ � ¢u�¤L kNi Na�\Va¤ � ¡ � ¢u�¤L kNi Na�\Va¤ � ¡ �

auRTsa y।auRTsa y।auRTsa y।auRTsa y।24242424

Purā>as promoted plantation in a unique way. They came up with

descriptions which dealt with the fruits of planting trees. According to the

Brahmavaivarta Purā>a-

Zौa\ pReJk\uG qresbRf � ¤pूdL।Zौa\ pReJk\uG qresbRf � ¤pूdL।Zौa\ pReJk\uG qresbRf � ¤pूdL।Zौa\ pReJk\uG qresbRf � ¤pूdL।

eMe�Jt Vd|MRp \ j�T© j Nऽूd�ÉL।।eMe�Jt Vd|MRp \ j�T© j Nऽूd�ÉL।।eMe�Jt Vd|MRp \ j�T© j Nऽूd�ÉL।।eMe�Jt Vd|MRp \ j�T© j Nऽूd�ÉL।।

iT �ऽ a�uRs�G KÉJR�H apHsJL।iT�ऽ a�uRs�G KÉJR�H apHsJL।iT�ऽ a�uRs�G KÉJR�H apHsJL।iT�ऽ a�uRs�G KÉJR�H apHsJL।




16


JiRuTrFL j�T �e·hrbRf i fjÊd�wR।।JiRuTrFL j�T �e·hrbRf i fjÊd�wR।।JiRuTrFL j�T �e·hrbRf i fjÊd�wR।।JiRuTrFL j�T �e·hrbRf i fjÊd�wR।।

M NOूdG iT�ऽ i NJkRJH epMRaVM NOूdG iT�ऽ i NJkRJH epMRaVM NOूdG iT�ऽ i NJkRJH epMRaVM NOूdG iT�ऽ i NJkRJH epMRaV।।।।

e�ËG jpiG �T i NJkRJH epMRaV।।e�ËG jpiG �T i NJkRJH epMRaV।।e�ËG jpiG �T i NJkRJH epMRaV।।e�ËG jpiG �T i NJkRJH epMRaV।।

ू�RूdG j�T �e·ÌeFb\ ¤pd�wR।ू�RूdG j�T �e·ÌeFb\ ¤pd�wR।ू�RूdG j�T �e·ÌeFb\ ¤pd�wR।ू�RूdG j�T �e·ÌeFb\ ¤pd�wR।

ifjÊdG iT�ऽ VKH es �¤ �K \ qrs|।।ifjÊdG iT�ऽ VKH es �¤ �K \ qrs|।।ifjÊdG iT�ऽ VKH es �¤ �K \ qrs|।।ifjÊdG iT�ऽ VKH es �¤ �K \ qrs|।।

��TrFG dRe��L kdÍRॆRKk�wR।��TrFG dRe��L kdÍRॆRKk�wR।��TrFG dRe��L kdÍRॆRKk�wR।��TrFG dRe��L kdÍRॆRKk�wR।

�³ Nू dG j�T �e·ÌeFb\ eaऽd�wR।।�³ Nू dG j�T �e·ÌeFb\ eaऽd�wR।।�³ Nू dG j�T �e·ÌeFb\ eaऽd�wR।।�³ Nू dG j�T �e·ÌeFb\ eaऽd�wR।।

iT �ऽ M NOdG �T ¤pj NऽM NOूdL।iT�ऽ M NOdG �T ¤pj NऽM NOूdL।iT�ऽ M NOdG �T ¤pj NऽM NOूdL।iT�ऽ M NOdG �T ¤pj NऽM NOूdL।

s� �ू dH q Ns� �ू dH q Ns� �ू dH q Ns� �ू dH q NTRkG deFb\ jeGa\ KwR।।TRkG deFb\ jeGa\ KwR।।TRkG deFb\ jeGa\ KwR।।TRkG deFb\ jeGa\ KwR।।

ÎMRp \ i N̈ dG �T iT�ऽ �T epMRaV।ÎMRp \ i N̈ dG �T iT�ऽ �T epMRaV।ÎMRp \ i N̈ dG �T iT�ऽ �T epMRaV।ÎMRp \ i N̈ dG �T iT�ऽ �T epMRaV।

iT �ऽ �ÏkL M N§H O NeT Oिूd�wR।।iT�ऽ �ÏkL M N§H O NeT Oिूd�wR।।iT�ऽ �ÏkL M N§H O NeT Oिूd�wR।।iT�ऽ �ÏkL M N§H O NeT Oिूd�wR।।25252525




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i.e. In case of the coconut trees are planted in the Āśrama, the

householder achieves riches, these trees when planted towards the east or

north east bestows son to the householder. The mango tree bestows welfare

all round. In case it is planted to the east of the house, the householder

achieves enough of riches and it bestows welfare everywhere. The trees of

wood-apple, jack fruit, the lemon and jujube, if planted on the southern

side, the householder gets riches all the times. The prosperity of

householder increases with them. The trees of Sāla fruit, banana,

myrobalon, when planted in the southern side they increase the friends.

They are auspicious for all sides, the betel nut tree when planted on the

southern side provides the householder with riches, son and fortunes, in

case they are planted in the west, they bestow pleasure and in case they are

planted in the north east, they bestow welfare all round. Campaka planted

anywhere is beneficial to all and sundry.




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eMfMjRVRaÁJiL kNÌ\ q³T�iIaRL।।eMfMjRVRaÁJiL kNÌ\ q³T�iIaRL।।eMfMjRVRaÁJiL kNÌ\ q³T�iIaRL।।eMfMjRVRaÁJiL kNÌ\ q³T�iIaRL।।

eKe��|k\ dRiTqR � TØ Nu\ dtT�wR।eKe��|k\ dRiTqR � TØ Nu\ dtT�wR।eKe��|k\ dRiTqR � TØ Nu\ dtT�wR।eKe��|k\ dRiTqR � TØ Nu\ dtT�wR।

j NlVूdL ौ|jdG �ÌpL jpi�wR।।j NlVूdL ौ|jdG �ÌpL jpi�wR।।j NlVूdL ौ|jdG �ÌpL jpi�wR।।j NlVूdL ौ|jdG �ÌpL jpi�wR।।

i�ORSVdGÏkG kJ|JL jRJdReJkL।i�ORSVdGÏkG kJ|JL jRJdReJkL।i�ORSVdGÏkG kJ|JL jRJdReJkL।i�ORSVdGÏkG kJ|JL jRJdReJkL।

�j´pRMk�RuH �kNuL kNuT¤ �pL।।�j´pRMk�RuH �kNuL kNuT¤ �pL।।�j´pRMk�RuH �kNuL kNuT¤ �pL।।�j´pRMk�RuH �kNuL kNuT¤ �pL।।

�¶ORVR ��¶ORVR ��¶ORVR ��¶ORVR � pReJk\uR िRFR iTR ��i NÌJ|।pReJk\uR िRFR iTR ��i NÌJ|।pReJk\uR िRFR iTR ��i NÌJ|।pReJk\uR िRFR iTR ��i NÌJ|।

JeKूdR KwR kHu| k\Kk| Mऽ NpReMp|।।JeKूdR KwR kHu| k\Kk| Mऽ NpReMp|।।JeKूdR KwR kHu| k\Kk| Mऽ NpReMp|।।JeKूdR KwR kHu| k\Kk| Mऽ NpReMp|।।26262626

i.e. By planting an Aśvattha tree one would become wealthy. The

Aśoka tree destroys grief. The PlakCa tree is said to give the fruit of a

sacrifice; the KCira tree is said to cause long life. Jambuki gives daughters;

Da?ima gives a wife. Aśvattha leads to destruction of diseases; Palāśa takes

one to Brahman. The planting of A�kola trees leads to expansion of the

family. Health is caused by the planting of Khadira tree. The sun is ever




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pleased with the Nimba shoots. God Śiva is pleased when Śri tree is

planted; and Pāravatī is pleased with the red Lodhra being planted. The

celestial nymphs are pleased with the planting of Śimśapā, and best

Gandharvas with the Kunda tree. One would get group of servants of one

plants Tinti?ika tree. Candana, and Panasa also gives religious merit and

wealth. Planting of Campaka gives good fortune. Planting of Vakula

expands family. Planting of the grape-creeper makes one have an all-

beautiful wife. Similarly planting of Koli causes sexual enjoyment; planting

of Ketakī destroys one’s enemies.

Consecration of trees has been unique concept of Purā>ic age.

According to the Purā>as, it imparts enjoyment in this world and salvation

in the next. Water containing solution of the drugs known as SarvauCadhi

should be poured over the heads of the trees from whose boughs garland




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should be hung down, and which should be plastered over with rice paste

and covered over with pieces of cloth. The ceremony of Kar>vedha

(perforation of the balls of the ears) should be performed upto them, with

needles made of gold-

ूeKÂRf jRdjRpRf � TÛ\]sf O Ne�a Ne�dRa y।ूeKÂRf jRdjRpRf � TÛ\]sf O Ne�a Ne�dRa y।ूeKÂRf jRdjRpRf � TÛ\]sf O Ne�a Ne�dRa y।ूeKÂRf jRdjRpRf � TÛ\]sf O Ne�a Ne�dRa y।

iiiiT�T�T�T�� Ndk� eu�ÜReÝ�RKkeTO�e�KRp y।।�� Ndk� eu�ÜReÝ�RKkeTO�e�KRp y।।�� Ndk� eu�ÜReÝ�RKkeTO�e�KRp y।।�� Ndk� eu�ÜReÝ�RKkeTO�e�KRp y।।

TrFRÞRÍ �Jußà´ TRiHeOJeOT\�V \K y।TrFRÞRÍ �Jußà´ TRiHeOJeOT\�V \K y।TrFRÞRÍ �Jußà´ TRiHeOJeOT\�V \K y।TrFRÞRÍ �Jußà´ TRiHeOJeOT\�V \K y।

i�áR i�Tb �VR kRi�áR i�Tb �VR kRi�áR i�Tb �VR kRi�áR i�Tb �VR kR ¡ iT©�Rf kb �T\¤pa y।। ¡ iT©�Rf kb �T\¤pa y।। ¡ iT©�Rf kb �T\¤pa y।। ¡ iT©�Rf kb �T\¤pa y।।27272727

And on the masonry platform around them, the Adhivāsa rite of the

pitchers should be celebrated. Offering should be made in honour of the

God Indra and his companion deities, and Homa ceremony should be

performed unto Vanaspati. The Earth Goddess should be invoked out of

the heart of the trees by uttering AbhiCeka mantras-




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s\aMuRkVR]Øpf � T\oRf K N ¢uiÜaka y।s\aMuRkVR]Øpf � T\oRf K N ¢uiÜaka y।s\aMuRkVR]Øpf � T\oRf K N ¢uiÜaka y।s\aMuRkVR]Øpf � T\oRf K N ¢uiÜaka y।

�e¤TRiV\² ू´\kf �URâeuepT\dpa y।।�e¤TRiV\² ू´\kf �URâeuepT\dpa y।।�e¤TRiV\² ू´\kf �URâeuepT\dpa y।।�e¤TRiV\² ू´\kf �URâeuepT\dpa y।।

ã�Rd\Je¤TRiH]w sHaL kR ä TpåK\L।ã�Rd\Je¤TRiH]w sHaL kR ä TpåK\L।ã�Rd\Je¤TRiH]w sHaL kR ä TpåK\L।ã�Rd\Je¤TRiH]w sHaL kR ä TpåK\L।

TrFa�RæÃr� \°Rf KKH]eO� \TrFa�RæÃr� \°Rf KKH]eO� \TrFa�RæÃr� \°Rf KKH]eO� \TrFa�RæÃr� \°Rf KKH]eO� \kaçKL।।kaçKL।।kaçKL।।kaçKL।।28282828

The consecration of trees and gardens imparts the highest merit to

the consecrator and absolves him all sins and demerits- jRjpRML jJR jRjpRML jJR jRjpRML jJR jRjpRML jJR

eie§Tr �FRJRaूeKÂVR।।eie§Tr �FRJRaूeKÂVR।।eie§Tr �FRJRaूeKÂVR।।eie§Tr �FRJRaूeKÂVR।।29292929

Matsya Purā>a has also discussed the process of consecration of trees

and gardens.30 The Purā>a says that the wise, who observes the rites meant

for consecration of trees and dedicated to plantation of trees, obtains all his

desires and attains to endless felicity. One, who plants even one tree

according to the prescribed rites, resides in heaven for over 30000 years of

Indra. The planter of trees, according to the prescribed rites, liberates the




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same number of his past and future manes and attains the highest

perfection, and is never reborn on earth.

Padma Purā>a has also described the method of consecration of

trees.31 The Purā>a says that he, who, plants the trees as per prescribed

rites, attains great prosperity making rebirth difficult. Even that man, who

listens to this, or makes others to listen to it, is honoured by Gods and in

the world of Brahman. The trees alone make a sonless person have a son-

jJRf eie§aRèHeK j NpJRTreIæu�ORa y।jJRf eie§aRèHeK j NpJRTreIæu�ORa y।jJRf eie§aRèHeK j NpJRTreIæu�ORa y।jJRf eie§aRèHeK j NpJRTreIæu�ORa y।

V ãdf éb NVReh´f ौRTV \}Rej aRpTL।।V ãdf éb NVReh´f ौRTV \}Rej aRpTL।।V ãdf éb NVReh´f ौRTV \}Rej aRpTL।।V ãdf éb NVReh´f ौRTV \}Rej aRpTL।।

iH]ej iÏ��K\ d\T �ॄ �ÕuHk\ as|VK \।iH]ej iÏ��K\ d\T �ॄ �ÕuHk\ as|VK \।iH]ej iÏ��K\ d\T �ॄ �ÕuHk\ as|VK \।iH]ej iÏ��K\ d\T �ॄ �ÕuHk\ as|VK \।

�j Nऽt � j Neऽêf jRdjR ëT kNT �K \।।�j Nऽt � j Neऽêf jRdjR ëT kNT �K \।।�j Nऽt � j Neऽêf jRdjR ëT kNT �K \।।�j Nऽt � j Neऽêf jRdjR ëT kNT �K \।।32323232

ConclusionConclusionConclusionConclusion-




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In this way it could be said that Purā>as which are believed to be

religious texts contain significant and relevant information on Horticulture.

If present day scientists go through the Purā>as from this point of view,

they could certainly draw some inspiration and enrich themselves in this

field.

References

1. Agni purā>a-282.1

2. Ibid, 282.2

3. Ibid, 282.3

4. Ibid, 282.6-8

5. Ibid, 282.8-9

6. Ibid, 282.13

7. Ibid, 282.10-11




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8. ViC>udharmottara Purā>a, Part II, 30.18

9. Ibid, 30.23

10. Ibid, 30.28

11. Ibid, 30.30

12. Ibid, 30.31-32

13. Matsya Purā>a, 118.39-41

14. Ibid, 209.1

15. Ibid, 227.92

16. Ibid, 227.93

17. Ibid, 227.94

18. Kūrma Purā>a (Uttarārdha), 16/79

19. Ibid, 16/2

20. Ibid, 16/7




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21. Ibid, 16/8

22. Ibid, 33.36

23. Vāman purā>a, 61/2

24. Agni Purā>a, 168/40

25. Brahmavaivarta Purā>a, KBC>ajanmakha>?a, 103.34-40

26. Padma Purā>a, 1.28.23-31

27. Agni Purā>a, 70/1-2

28. Ibid, 70/3-4

29. Ibid, 70/8

30. Matsya Purā>a, 59.1-19

31. Padma Purā>a, 1.28.1-18

32. Ibid, 1.28.23-24

THOUGHTS FOR HORTICULTURE IN PURANAS

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