Plant Physiology Aspects in Harita Samhita an Ayurveda text
Plant Science in Ayurveda Samhitas – 6
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –103
Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti
Harita was one of disciple of Ayurveda Guru Atreya Punarvasu and contemporary of Charaka or Agnivesha. Ayurveda Acharya had six disciples whom Atreya taught Ayurveda and they were –Agnivesha (Charaka), Bhela/Bheda, Jatukarna, Parashara, Harita and Ksharpani (1).
All the six disciples established Ayurveda schools or theories and created Ayurveda Samhita. Agnivesha ‘s Charaka Samhita became more popular among all Samhita created by disciples of Acharya Atreya Punarvasu . It is said that age Harita also created a separate school Harita Samhita but the original Samhita is not available. However, there is a Harita Samhita of sixth to 7th Century based on same style as Charaka Samhita of Agnivesha (2). Umakant N Rabb states that Harita Samhita is written on conversion module as Charaka Samhita. The conversion is between Maharshi Atreya and Acharya Harita (2).
Harita Samhita is divided into six books or parts (2 and 3) –
1-Prathamsthana
2-Dwitiyasthana
3-Chikitsasthana
4-Sutrasthana
5-Kalpasthana
6-Sharirasthana
In following chapters of Prathamsthana, there are plant physiological aspects in Harita Samhita (Based on description of Dr Umakant N Rabb and Book index in Harita Samhita by Pandeya) –
10th Chapter deals with Sugarcane, its juices and guds jiggery etc. And its medicinal values (Ikshuk varga)
11th Chapter deals with characteristics of rice water and its medical uses.(kanjika varga)
12th Chapter deals with characteristics of various types of Rice water or Rice gruel /extract at the time of rice cooking (Mand varga)
13th chapter deals with extract of various pulses as Yusha of Kulthi (horse gram) , Yusha of Udad, Yush of chana or grams, Moong Yusha etc.
14th chapter of Harita Samhita is about fat in various oil seeds as Tila, Erandi caster , sesame , mustard oil , coconut oil
15th chapter of Harita Samhita deals about characters of cereals (dhanya)
16th Chapter of Harita Samhita is all about properties of various vegetables (shak varga) –there are mentions of 27 vegetables in each sub chapter
17th Chapter of Harita Samhita deals with properties of different 15 fruits
23rd chapter deals with Annapana (different cereals, pulses food and methods of taking food or cereals (bhojan vidhi)
The above description is clear that the Ayurveda scholars were well versed with plant physiology of Harita period (when Harita Samhita was created).
References-
1-Vidyalankar Atreya, 1960, Ayurveda ka Vrihat Itihas, Hindi Samiti, Banaras page 150
2-Dr. Umakant N Rabb, THE HARIAT SAMHITA – A LITERAY VIEW OF ANCIENT AYURVEDA TEXT, Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2019, Vol.4no 3 (2019) pages 43-50
3- Pandeya vaidya Jaymini , Harita Samhita (Sanskrit Mool va ‘Nirmala’ Hindi teeka) Chaukhmbha Vishwabharati . Varansi (vishy Soochi (Subject Index )
Copyright @ Bhishma Kukreti,