Concept of Plant Photosynthesis in Mahabharata Epic
(Plant Consciousness explained in Mahabharata)
Plant Science/Botany in Mahabharata – 114
Botany in Epic Age of India – 20
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –40
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By: Bhishma Kukreti M.Sc. {(Botany), B.Sc. (Honours in Botany), Medical Tourism Historian)}
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Mahabharata epic deals with various concepts of botany or plant science. Photosynthesis is one of such Botanical concepts that Mahabharata explains.
As per one definitions (1) “Photo synthesis is the process used by plants, algae, and certain bacteria to harness energy from Sunlight energy and tern it to chemical energy”
Tow Shlokas of section 3 of Vanaparva of Mahabharata clear the uses of sun energy by plants as follows
Nishiktashchandratejobhi Suyate jagto ravi : I
Aushdhya: shadrasa medhyastadannam praninam II (Mahabharata Vanaparva section 3,

Evam bhanumayam hyannam bhutanam pranadharanam I
Nathyoyam sarvabhutanam tasmattam sharanam braj II Mahabharata Vanaparva section 3, 9)
The meaning of above sholkas is –
“With the moon, infused by its (Sun’s ) light , the sun energizes the plants with six major tastes , those constitute the food for all living beings in the earth.”
Above second Shloka of Vanaparva of Mahabharata explains that “Thus, the food that supports the lives of all creatures is filled with energy of Sun. and The Sun is the father of all living things. Therefore, seek protection from Sun.”
No doubt the above shlokas clarify the role of sun but also clarify the process of changing sun energy into food energy (Chemical Energy) .
There is another way of explaining process of plant photosynthesis in Mahabharata, Shantiparva 184.18 )-
Ten tajjalmadatam jarayatyagnin marutai I
Aharaparinamaccha sneho vridhishcha jayate II
Translation is as follows-
“Roots draw the water that which reacts with heat (light) and atmosphere air. The combination of water, air, and heat (light) makes the body fluid”
(shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/51045/19/19.appendix.pdf, excessed on 7 February 2020)
The above three shlokas offer us the proof that in the Mahabharata period, the learned scholars were aware about changing of solar energy into fluid energy or chemical energy.
References
1-Vidyasagar Arpna , 15th October , 2018,What is photosynthesis, livescience.com/51720_photosynthesis.html (cited on 7th February 2020 12.8PM)
Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, bckukreti@gmail.com , Mumbai India, 2019
HISTORY of BOTANY in Indian Subcontinent will be continued in next chapter