All posts tagged Trees

Manu, not only a Law Maker but also a Great Botanist! (Post No.4375)

Written by London Swaminathan

Date: 7 NOVEMBER 2017

Time uploaded in London- 20-39

Post No. 4375

Pictures shown here are taken from various sources such as Facebook friends, Books, Google and newspapers; thanks.

Manu Smrti, law book written by Manu, talks about lot of subjects which makes it a Hindu Encyclopaedia. Manu was not only a law maker but also a scientist. Though some of his theories may not hold good today, he was the precursor of several scientific theories.

One of the greatest Indian plant scientists was Jagadish Chandra Bose. Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose’s greatest achievement was his invention of the crescograph, which allowed scientists to discover how the seasons and external stimuli affected plant life.

The scientist worked tirelessly to chart how chemical inhibitors, temperature and light change the way plants grow, and advise humans on how to better care for vegetation.

It paved the way for scientists to better understand how to cultivate crops in a more effective way, and encouraged people to take better care of plant life. In one particular report, Bose wrote that he believed plants “feel pain and understand affection” just as much as humans do. But even before Bose, Manu has said about the feeling of plants!

His famous quotation was that ‘don’t even throw a rose flower on your lady love because the rose flower will be hurt’.

Manu must have lived long ago. Though the updated Manu Smriti available now is dated around second century BCE, he lived during the Rig Vedic days. He talks about the Saraswati River, which disappeared later. So the original Manu Smrti must be dated around 2000 BCE. Moreover, like the Rig Veda he never mentioned Sati, the widow burning.

About plants he says,

“All the plants that grow from the seed or node are borne from shoots; herbs are those that bear many flowers and fruits and then die with the ripening of the fruit.

“Trees that have fruit but no flowers are traditionally known as the Lords of the Forest; those that bear both flowers and fruit are called trees.

“The various sorts of plants that have one root and those with many roots, the different species of grasses and climbing vines and creepers all grow from a seed or a shoot.

“ENVELOPED BY A DARKNESS THAT HAS MANY FORMS AND IS THE RESULT OF THEIR OWN INNATE ACTIVITIES, THEY HAVE AN INTERNAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND EXPERIENCE HAPPINESS AND UNHAPPINESS.

“IN THIS TERRIBLE CYCLE OF TRANSMIGRATION OF LIVING BEINGS, WHICH MOVES RELENTLESSLY ON AND ON, THE LEVELS OF EXISTENCE ARE SAID TO BEGIN WITH BRAHMA AND TO END WITH THEM”

–Chapter 1, Manu Smrti

Grass (laid down for a resting place), space (to rest), water and pleasant conversation – these four things never run out in the house of good people- Manu 3-101

From Manu’s days pious people were doing penance sitting on the mat made up of Dharba grass.—3-208

If we believe that Manu lived in the Sarasvati River period, he is the first man to classify plants; he is the first one to talk about the consciousness of plants. He is the first to write about numerous plants. If we put all the plant facts from the Vedas, Brahmanas and Manu Smrti together, we will know how much the ancient Hindus studied the plants.

My old article:-

‘Save the Trees’ and ‘Save the Forests’ in Manu Smrti!(Post No.3043)

Research Article Written by london swaminathan

Date: 7^th August 2016

Post No. 3043

Time uploaded in London :– 16-24

( Thanks for the Pictures)

The topics Manu covers in his Law book are amazing. He makes passing remarks on several things; since ancient people know all these things he takes them for granted. Let us look at the couplets where he mentioned the trees, saving the trees, sacred trees and saving the forests.

If a Brahmin cuts the fruit trees, shrubs, vines, , creepers or flowering plants , a thousand Vedic verses should be chanted – Manu 11-143

Cutting down green trees for fire wood, undertaking acts for one’s own sake only and eating forbidden food are minor crimes — Manu 11-65

Assembly halls, road side watering places, cake-stalls, whore houses wine shops , SACRED TREES, cross roads, crowds and places where people assemble for spectacles, GARDENS, ARTIFICIAL GROVES MUST BE WATCHED FOR THIEFS –9-265

Trees that have fruit but no flowers are traditionally known as the Lords of the Forest; those that bear flowers and fruits are called trees– Manu 1-47

The various sorts of plants that have one root and those with many roots , the different species of grasses and climbing vines and creepers all grow from a seed or a shoot. — Manu 1-48

xxx

The belt of a priest should be made up of smooth, three ply rushes; of a ruler it should be a bow string of hemp fibre; and of a commoner, a thread of hemp.

If rushes are unattainable, the belt should be made up of kusa asmantaka or balbaja (Eleusine Indica).

The initiatory thread of a Brahmin should be made up of cotton; of a ruler it should be made up of hemp threads and of a commoner it should be of wool threads.

A priest’s staff should be made up of wood apple (Aegle Marmelos)and the palasa (Butea Frondosa);

A ruler’s of banyan (Ficus Indica) and acacia (Acacia Catechu);

A commoner’s of palm (Careya Arborea) and fig (Ficus Udumbara).

Height of the Staff of a priest – – up to his hair

King = up to his forehead

Commoner = up to his nose

–Chapter 2 of Manu smrti

Sitting on a kusa grass mat is mentioned in 2-75

Xxx

Grass laid down for a resting place, space to rest, water and pleasant conversation – these four things never run out in the house of good people – 3-101

Priests should sit on a seat of sacrificial grass/ kusa—3-208.

Kusa grass and mat made up of Kusa grass are emtioned in several places.

Weights made up of krsnala seeds (Kundu mnani in Tamil) are found in the book.

It is good to see so many plants names in a Law Book.

xxx

From these passages we come to know:-

Cutting trees is a crime;

Preserving trees is encouraged;

Sacred trees were there in every town;

Gardens and artificial groves were there;

Temples and Kiosks/stalls were constructed underneath huge trees.

Like Tamil kings had three different trees for each of them, three castes have different trees.

Even before the Westerners classified the plants, Hindus divided them into various groups.

Please read my research articles posted here earlier: –

Flowers in Tamil Culture, posted on 25 August 2012

Confusion about Vedic Soma Plant , posted on 5 May 2013

107 Miracle Herbs in the Hindu Vedas, posted on 16 September 2013

255 Indian trees, herbs and flowers mentioned in Brhat Samhita Part-1, posted 21 February 2015

255 Indian trees, herbs and flowers mentioned in Brhat Samhita Part-2, posted on 23 February 2015

Amazing Medical information in Hindu Vedas, posted here on 18 June 2015

Jangida Mystery in Atharva Veda , posted on 29 December 2014

Hindus’ Amazing Knowledge in Botany, posted here on 20 July 2014

Knowledge of Biology in Hindu scriptures, posted on 10 February 2013

Dynasties with Plant names and Dynasty in Shiva’s Bilva tree name, posted on 24 January 2015

Lord Shiva and Tamils adopted Trees, posted on 6 July 2013

Hindus’ respect for trees and forests , posted on 18 February 2015

Cucumber in the Rig Veda

–subham–

ORIGIN OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS ACCORDING TO BRAHMANAS (Post No.4326)

Written by London Swaminathan

Date: 22 October 2017

Time uploaded in London- 16-35

Post No. 4326

Pictures shown here are taken from various sources such as Facebook friends, Books, Google and newspapers; thanks.

There are strange stories about the appearance of animals and the origin of animals and birds in the Brahmana literature.

The reddish appearance of a white horse’s mouth is explained as follows:-

“Agni went away from the gods; he entered the water. The gods said to Prajapati: Go thou in search of him; to thee, his own father, he will reveal himself He became a white horse, and went in search of him. He found him on a lotus, having crept forth from the water. He eyed him, and Agni scorched him. Hence the white horse has, as it were, a scorched or reddish mouth, and indeed is apt to be weak-eyed. Agni thought he had hit and hurt him, and said to him, ‘I grant thee a boon’.

–Satapata Brahmana,7-3-2-14

Agni’s mark is also on the shoulder of the Ox:

“For such a one (as an ox) is of Agni’s nature, since its shoulder (bearing the yoke) is as if burnt by fire.”

–Satapata Brahmana,4-5-1-15

“The Asuras persecuted the Devas and came into contact with them. The Devas turned horses (asva) and kicked them with their feet. Thence the horses are called ‘asva’ from ‘as’ to reach. He who obtains this knowledge obtains all he desires. Thence the horse is the swiftest of animals because of its kicking with the hind legs. He who has such a knowledge destroys the consequences of guilt”

–Aitareya Brahmana Vol.1 (Haug’s Vol.2, page 319)

This was the more necessary because animals, and even plants avenged in a future existence injuries inflicted on them in this life—Satapata Brahmana, 11-6-1-1

The origin of some of the birds and quadrupeds is explained in the following texts:-

“Tvashtri had a three-headed, six eyed son. He had three mouths, and because he was thus shaped, he was called Visva-Rupa (all shape). One of his mouths was Soma-drinking, one spirit-drinking, and one for other food. Indra hated him, and cut off those heads of his. And from the one which was Soma-drinking, a hazel cock sprang forth; hence the latter is of brownish colour, for King Soma is brown. And one which was spirit-drinking, a sparrow sprang; hence the latter talks like one who is joyful, for one who has drank spirits, one talks as one who enjoys himself; And from one which was for other kinds of food, a partridge sprang; whence the latter is exceedingly variegated; ghee-drops have, as it were, dropped on his wings, in one place, and honey drops, as it were, on another; for such like was the food he consumed with that mouth” — –Satapata Brahmana,5-5-4-12

Origin of Lion, Wolf and Trees

“Indra, uninvited, consumed what pure Soma there was in the tub, as the stronger would consume the food for the weaker. But it hurt him; it flowed in all directions from the opening of his vital airs; only from his mouth it did not flow. From what flowed from the nose a lion sprang; and from what flowed from the ears a wolf sprang; and from what flowed from the lower opening wild beasts sprang, with the tiger as their foremost; and what flowed from the upper opening (top of the head whence the soul issues at death), that was foaming spirit. And thrice he spat out; thence were produced the fruits called Kuvala, Karkandu and Badara, three different species of the Jujube tree). Indra became emptied out of everything, for Soma is everything. Being thus purged by Soma

he walked about, as one tottering. The Aswins cured him by this offering… By offering he indeed became better.”

–Satapata Brahmana,5-5-4-8

My Comments:–

These stories are like stories told by the illiterate tribes living in the remotest parts of the forest or hills. But unless they have hidden meanings they would not have survived from 1000 BCE. More over along with such stories we have very high thoughts, big numbers in mathematical order, information about 27 stars, linguistics etc. So we have to do more research into their statements. Foreigners called these writings, silly, childish and gibberish. But Hindus value them as mantras (holy spells or magic spells).

–Subham–

255 Indian Trees, Herbs and Shrubs mentioned in Brhat Samhita- Part-1

Acacia catechu (used in Pan for red colour)

255 Indian Trees, Herbs and Shrubs mentioned in Brhat Samhita- Part-1

Compiled by London swaminathan

Post No.1665; Dated 21 February 2015.

Varahamihira was a great scholar, mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, biologist and a poet. He has mentioned over 250 plants in his encyclopaedic work Brhat Samhita. Prof. Ramakrishna Bhatt who has translated the work from Sanskrit into English has given the list of plants in the appendix section. I have added the Tamil names wherever possible:

1.Aguru = Aquilaria agallocha (Agil in Tamil)அகில்

2.Agnimantha = Premna spinosca

3.Ankola = Alangium decapaetalum அழிஞ்சில்

4.Ajakarna = Vateria indica (Raala in Kannada)

5.Ajamoda = Apium grveolens or Carum copticum (Voma in Kannada)

6.Aja = Ocimum americanum (Ramatulasi-Kannada)துளசி

7.Anjana = Memecylon umbellatum (Vishnukranta?) விஷ்ணுகிரந்தி?

8.Atasi = Linum usitatissimum (Aali Vithai in Tamil)

Linum usitatissimum (Ali vithai in Tamil)

9.Ati balaa = Sida rhombifolia

10.Atimuktaka = Chrysanthemum indicum (Sevantige in Kannada)சிவந்தி

11.Apamarga = Achyranthes aspera (Uttarane in Kan.)

12.Amrta = Eulophia campestris or Tenospora cordifolia (amrtaballi in Kan.)

13.Amba = Pongamia glabra (Honge in Kan.)

14.Arani = Breynia rhamnoides/

15.Arista = Xanthium strumarium

16.Arka = calotropis gigantea (Ekke in Kan and Erukku in Tamil)எருக்கு

17.Arjuna = Terminalia arjuna (matti or Bili matti in Kan.)மருத மரம்

18.Asmantaka = Bauhinia tomentosa? (Vanasampige in Kan)

19.Asvakarna= Shorea robusta (Raladamara in Kan.)சால மரம்

(Alangium= Alinjil in Tamil=Ankola in Sanskrit)

( I have already written about Adi Shankara’s hymn about this rare tree)

20.Asvagandha = Withania somnifera (Sogade beru in Kan.)

21.Asvattha = Ficus religiosa (Arasa Maram in Tamil)அரச மரம்

22.Asana = Bridelia montana = Benga mara in Kan.

23.Amra = Magnifera indica (Mavina mara in Kannada; Ma Maram in Tamil) மா மரம்

24.Amraataka = Spondias magnifera (Ambate mara in Kannada

25.Iksu = Saccharum officinarum = Kabbu. In Kannada)கரும்பு

26.Asoka = sarasa idica அசோக மரம்

Yakshi under Asoka Tree.

27.Inguda = Balanites aegyptiaca (Ingalika mara in Kan., Nanjunda in Tamil)நஞ்சுண்டா

28.Indra taru or Svetakutaja= Wrightia tinctoria (kirigodesige in Kan)

29.Udumbara + Ficus racemosa அத்தி மரம்

30.Usira = Vetiveria zizanioides (Lavanca in Kan.)

31.Ela = Elettaria cardomonum (Elakkay in Tamil) ஏலக்காய்

32.Kakubha = Lagarstroemia speciose (Cemmaruta in Malayalam)

Asoka flower (two different species are called Asoka)

33.Kangu = Setaria italic (Navane akki in Kan.)

34.Katambhara = Picorrhiza Kurroa or Helleborus niger (Katukarohini in Tam., Kan.) கடுகரோகிணி

35.Katuka = see above 34 (Kadukkay is different)

36.Kantakari = Solanum xanthocarpus (Nelagulla in Kan.) கண்டங்கத்தரி

37.Kataka = Strychnus potatorum = Clearing nut tree (cilliamara in Kan., Tettaa maram in Mal)

38.Kadamba = Anthocephalus indicus கடம்பமரம்

39.Kadali = Musa paradisiac (Bale in Kan. Vazai maram in Tam.) வாழை

40.Kapikachchu = Colocasia esculenta (Kesavu in Kan., Sembu in Mal., Tamil )சேம்பு

Peepal Tree= Ficus religiosa= Arasa maram in Tamil

41.Kapitha = Feronica elephantum = Wood apple (Vilam pazam in Tam.Belada mara in Kan.)விளாம்பழம்

42.Kamala = Nelumbo nucifera (Tavare hu in Kan., Tamarai in Tamail, mal.) தாமரை

43.Kampillaka = Mallotus philippinensio (Honne mara in Kan)

44.Karanja = Pongamia pinnata (Honge in Kan., Korngu in Telugu)

45.Karavira = Nerium indicum அரளி

46.Karira = Capparis decidua

47.Karnikara = Pterospermum acerifolium (kanaka champaka in Kan) செண்பகம்

48.Karcura = Hedychium spicatum

49.Karpasa = Gossypium herbaceum (hatti in Kan.) பருத்தி

(Champaka=Michelia)

50.Kalama – Gryza sativa (Rice variety Kalame in Kan.)

51.Kallola = Luffa echinata (Devadangar in Kan.?)

52.Kakodambarika = Ficus hispida (Peyatti in tam. And Mal) பேயத்தி

53.Kasmari = Gmelina arborea (Kulimara in Kan. And Gumuducettu in Telugu)

54.Kutaja = Holarrhena antidysenterica (kodasige in Kan.and Kodisepala in Telugu)

Kunda = Jasmium multiflorum (dundu mallige in Kan and Mogra in Marathi) மல்லிகை

56.Kunduruka = Boswellia serrata or thurifera (madimara in Kan. And Parangi sambrani in Telugu)

57.Kumari = Aloe barbadensis (Lolisara in Kan. Katrazai in Tamil)கற்றாழை

58.Kumuda = Nymphea stellate அல்லி, குமுதம்

59.Kuranta = Striga lutea =

60.Kuravaka = Baleria cristata (Kariculli in Kan.)

Ajowan = Ajamoda= Omam in Tamil

61.Kula = Solanum xanthocarpum (Kantakari in Kan.)கண்டங்கத்தரி

62.Kulatha = Dolochos biflorus (Huruli in Kan.)

63.Kusa = Desmosstycha bipinnata (Darbhe in Kan; Thrppai in Tam.) தர்ப்பை

64.Kushta = Sassurea lappa (Koshtam in Tam.Sepuddi in Mala) கோஷ்டம்

65.Kusumbha = Crocus sativus = Kunkumakesara in Kan and Kunkuma pu in Tam.) குங்குமப்பூ

66.Kustumburu = Coriandrum sativam (Dhania in Hindi; Kothumalli in Tam)கொத்தமல்லி

67.Kesara (punnaga) = Calophyllum inophyllum (punna in mal.) புன்ன

Calaphyllum = Punnai in Tamil

68.Kodrava = Paspalum scrobikulatum (Varagu in Tam. And Kiraruga in Tel) வரகு

69.Kovidara = Bauhinia variegate (Kempu mandara in Kan.;Devakanchanamu in Tel)

70.Ksirika = Alstonia venenata (Addasarpa in Kan.; Pazamunipala in Mal.)

71.Ksema = Angelica glauca? or Fagonia cretica (Dhamasa in Mara.Dusparsa in Sanskrit, Cittigara in Tel.?)

72.Khadira = Acacia catechu (Kasu in Kan.);used in Paan for redcolour

73.Kharjuri = Phoenix sylvestris

74.Ghandhamamsi = Nardostachys jatamansi (Sugandhamuste or Ganigalamuste in Kan.Namattam in Tam)

75.Garudavega = Cocculus hirsutus (katterkodi in Tam.)காட்டுகொடி

76.Gangeruka = Canthium parviflorum (Karegida in Kan.Karai in Tam., Balusu in Tam)காரை

77.Girikarnika = Clitoria ternatea (Sankhapuspa in Kan; sangu pushpam or Kakkanam in Tam) காக்கணம் (sangu Pu, Karuvilai in Tamil)

Cleaning Nut

78.Guggulu = Commiphora roxbhurgili (Gondhu in Tamil)

79.Gunja = Abrus precatorius (Kundumani in Tam.Gulukunji in Kan.) குந்துமணி மரம்

80.Guduci = Tinospora cordifolia (Siindil in Tam.Amrta in Kan.)

81.Gundra = Typha elephantine (Jambhuhullu in Kan.)

82.Goksura = Tibulus terrestris (neggilu Mllu in Kan. Nerunji in Tam) நெருஞ்சி

83.Godhuma = Triticum aestivum (Godhi in Kan, Kothumai in Tam)கோதுமை

84.Canaka = Cicer arietinum (Kadale in Kannada) கொண்டைக்கடலை

Michelia= Shrnpakam in Tamil)

85.Candana (sandana) = Santalum album (Srigandha in Kan.) சந்தன மரம்

86.Campaka = Michelia champaca (Sampige in Kan.) செண்பகம்

87.Cirabilva = Pongamia pinnata or Eleocarpus serrata (Bigadamara in Kan)

88.Coca = Kydia calcina

89.Coraka = Curcumba latifoliya or Angelica glauca

90.Jambu = Syzygium jambos (Jambu nerale in Kan.) நாவல்மரம்

91.Jati = Jasminum officinale ( Jaati mallige in Kan) ஜாதி மல்லிகை

Kutaja= Giri mallika

92.jaathipalaa = Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg Tree, Jajikay in Kan. ஜாதிக்காய் மரம்)

Jiraka = Cuminum cyminum ( Jirige in Kan ஜீரகம்)

94.Jivaka =Bridelia montana = Pantegi in Te. வேங்கை மரம்

95.Jivanti = Demotrichum fimbriatum or Trema orientalis (Kiruhali in Kan)கடலை, துவரை

96.Jyotismati = Cardiospermum halicacabum (Heart seed(Erumballi or agnipalli in Kan.)

Tagara =Valeriana wallichi (Rishawala in Urdu)

98.Tala = Borassus flabellaformis (Talisepatra in Kannda) Panai in Tamil பனை மரம்

99.Talisapatra = Flacourtia jangomas (Talisapatre inKan.)

100.Tintidi = Tamarindus indica (Hunisemara in Kan. புளிய மரம்)

101.Tinduka =Diospryos paniculata (karunthuvarai in Tamil) கருந்துவரை

102.Timira = Turmeric?

Tila = Sesamum indicum (Ellu I Kan. El in Tamil)

104.Tilaka = Clerodendrum phlomoides (Takkolamu in Tel.)

105.Turuska = Olibanum tree; Tagetes erecta (Banti in Tel)

106.Trayamana = Ficus heterophylla (kodiyatti in Tami, Datir in Mara) கொடி அத்தி

107.Triphala = Terminalia chebula (kadukkay (Anil kaye in Kannada) கடுக்காய்

Trivrta = Vitis vinifera (Drakshai in Kannada)

109.Tvak = Cassia bark

110.Danti (Nagadanti) = Baliospermum montanum (Niradimuttu in Tamil, Nelajidi in Tel.)

111.Damanaka = Artemisia siversiana(Maru in Tamil) மருக்கொழுந்து

Balanites aegyptica

112.Darbha = Desmostachya bipinnata (Tharppai in Tamil)

113.Davadagdhaka = (Vyamaka) = Costus specius or Arabicus (Pushkaramula in Kan.)

114.Dadima = Punica granatum (Dalimbe in Kanna) மாதுளம்

115.Durva = Cynodon dactylon (Garike hullu in Kan)

Devadaru = Cedrus devdara

117.Dhava = Anogeissus latifolia (cirimanu in Tel.118

118.Dhatri Embilica officinalis (nellikay in Kan. And Tamil)

119.Naktamala = Pongamia pinnata

120.Nandikavarta = Tabernacemontana coronoria (Maddarasa in Kan)

121.Nala = Phragmites maxima (Peddarellu in Tel)

Nalika = Hibiscus cannabinus (Gongura in Tel)

123.Navamallika = Jasminium arborescens

124.Nagakesara = Mesua ferrea = (Nagasampige in Kan)

125.Nicula = Vetasa = Calamus rotang = Betta in Kan.

126.Nimba = Azadirachta indica =Kahibevu in Kan. வேப்பமரம்

127.Niragundi = Vitex negundo = (Bile nekki or Karlaki in Kan)

128.Nispava = Dolichos lab lab = Avare in Kan. (Mochai in Tamil)

129.Nipa = Anthocephalus indicus

130.Nyagrodha = Ficus bengalensis ( Ala maram in Tam and Kan) ஆலமரம்

Continued in Part 2………………………………..

(Most of these plants are used in Ayurveda and Siddha medicines)