Author Topic: History of Plant Science , History of Botany , Botanical Researches In India  (Read 17730 times)

Bhishma Kukreti

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Plant Classification as Food articles in Charaka Samhita

Plant Science in Charaka Samhita – 5
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –99 D 
 
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 Charaka Samhita also classified plants as food articles and food uses in Sutrasthana 27.
  27th chapter of Sutrasthana of Charaka Samhita divided food articles (plants )as follows –
1-Sukha Dhanya (corns with bristle) –  Rice varieties , barley, wheat, millets 
2-Shami (dal or pulses) -9 pulses    
3-Shaka varga or vegetables – 7 varieties
4-Phala Varga (Fruits) -19 fruits
Harita varga ( Raw vegetables) -7 vegetables
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Plant Classification in Charaka Samhita to be continued …

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Plant Science aspects in Vrikshayurveda by Salihotra (400 BC)

Plant Science in Ayurveda Samhitas – 14
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –111   

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   The concept of Vriksha Ayurveda or Plant life Science had been there in literature in India from the beginning that is from Veda time. There had been literature exclusively devoted to plant life science too as Dr. Prashanth (1)  and Shrikanth et all  informed that as per record the first Indian  book ( Granth) on Vriksha Ayurveda (pant life science) is created by Salihotra (around 400 B.C.)
  Vriksha Ayurveda by Salihotra (400 B.C) has following vast twelve chapters (1 and 2) –
1-Bhumi Nirupana deals with classification of various soils
2-Bijoptivithi- Bijoptivithi chapter deals with seed germination process, seed  grading and seed preservation
3-Padpavivkasa- Padpavivkasa explains the aspects of tree biology hat plant has life
4-Ropana Vidhana 
5-Nischana Kanavidhi  discusses about irrigation methods, uses and process of fertilizers
6-Poshana Vidhi –the chapter illustrates about raising plants and trees
7-Drumrkasha –Drumrksha chapter makes clarity about saving plants/trees from bad weather and other conditions and diseases. The chapter also deals with treatments too . 
8-Taru Chikitsa Treatments of diseased plant is discussed in ths chapter
9-Upvana Kriya –Upvana Kriya offers instruction of garden organization etc
10-Nivasa sanna Traru subhasubha lakshna –The chapter discusses about planting trees on a particular direction near house or far away from house
11-Taru Mahima Discusses about wells, ponds and rivers and importance of trees.
12- Chitrikarana – The chapter illustrates some  extra ordinary methods of plant blooming, making plant mature before time etc. 
The Grantha  Vriksha Ayurveda by Salihotra  (400 BC) shows that  there was developed plant science, botany , agriculture science and horticulture science in India .
References
1-Dr.Prashanth, B.K., 2016 Ayurveda to Improve Health of Herbs:  Vriksha Ayurveda easyayurveda.cm/2016/05/11/vriksha -ayurveda –to-improve-plant-health/
2- Shrikanth, Narayanam, Devesh Tewari, A.K. Mangal, ‘The Science of Plant Life (Vriksha Ayurveda) in Archaic Literature:   An Insight on Botanical, Agricultural and Horticultural Aspects of Ancient India’ World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science 4(6);388-04 June 2015 
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Plant Science in Vrikshayurveda of sage Parashar

Plant Science in Harita Samhita 5
Plant Science in Ayurveda Samhitas – 10
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –107

Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti

 Parashar had been a famous sage of India and had been cited in many texts as creator of text and sage. For example, he is also famous for Gita (Autosuggestion etc.) and Niti Shastra in Mahabharata. Parashar is also famous for creating agriculture science chapter (already detailed in past chapters).
  Soni states about Vrikshayurveda by sage Parashara that Dr. Girija Prasanna Majumdar the famous botanist from Bengal discussed about Vrikshayureda created by Parashara in his book ‘History of Science in India’. (1) Father of N.N. Sircar (who was Ayurveda practioner) found the manuscript first and N.N. Sircar translated and published it (2).
 The creation year of the book ‘Vrikshayurveda by Parashara could be placed between 1st Century B.C. to4th AD (3).
 The book is in six parts-
1-Birth of Seeds ( Bijotpattikanda )
C-Trinvargeadhyaya (grass class)   
3-Shrubs   
4-Vegetables
5-Creepers
6-Treatments
   Bijotpattikanda  chapter has  following sub chapters –
A-Bijotpattisutrodhyaya   -seed germination chapter
B- Bhumivargashyaya- seeds coming up chapter
C-Vanavargadhyaya-
D-Vrikshasngasutriyadhyaya
 E-Pushpangasutriyadhyaya (related to flower Formation in plants)
F-Phalangasutriyadhyaya ( fruits Formation of  in plant )
G-Astangaganasutriyadhyaya (eight parts)

H-Dwiganiadhyaya
2- Vansaptikanda or Vegetation
Vansaptikanda chapter has following sub chapters –
A-Vanspatinirvananadhyaya – Vegetative construction
B-Vrikshagansamgrahadyaya (tree class)
Vansapatayakanda has following chapters –
A-Vanspataya Vicharanadhaya
b-Sami Vargadhyaya 
Gulmakshupa kanda ( Shrub)
Virudha Valikanda (   treatments)

References
1-Soni, Suresh, 2008, India’s Glorious Scientific Tradition, Ocean Books , New Delhi   , pp 148
2-Sircar ,NN. Roma Sarkar (edited and Translated) ,1996,  Vrikshayurveda  of Parashara ( a treatise on Plant Science) Sri Satguru Publications
Prasad G.P, et al, (2006) Vrkshayurveda of Parasara-‘An Ancient Treatise on Plant Science’  Bull. Inst Hist.,  Med Hyderabad, Jan –June 2006: 36(1)63-74
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Plant Taxonomy , Plant Morphology in  Vrikshayurveda by sage Parashara

Plant Science in Vrikshayurveda by Parashara-2
Plant Science in Ayurveda Samhitas – 11
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –108

Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti

 In last chapter, the subject index of Vrikshayurveda by Parashara is already discussed.  V .Singh rightly states that Vrikshayurveda by sage Parashara is one of the oldest Indian works (1). However, it is better to state that Vrikshayurveda is not only oldest Indian works but oldest in the world that deals plant science first time with scientific manner.
Sage Parashara applied the classification of plants based on comparative plant morphology. Citing  the reference of s great scholar Majumdar G.P, (1946) , Singh and Jain  state that as per Majumdar the  system of plant classification in Vrikshayurveda by Parashara was more advance than ones developed in Europe in 18th century .(1).
There are a couple of example of plant taxonomy I Vrikshayurveda by Parashara that  by hearing the name mentioned in Vrikshayurveda by Parashara is still toady easily under stable. Parashara divided plants into ‘Ganas’. The flowers of Sami Ganyam is clearly under stable still today too as it means   hypogenous, gamosepalous calyx .five petals of different sizes and legume seeds on the sides. Same  way, Swastik Ganiyam measn the flowers are cruciferous as Swastik sign is cruciferous style too. 
Tripusaganyam of (Vrikshayurveda clearly indicates cucurbitaceae (1).
  Plant Morphology in Vrikshayurveda by Parashara –Parashara divided plants into following parts (VV1.1.14) –
Mula (root)
Kanda  /Skand (stem)
Patra (leaves)
Puspa (Flower)
Phala (Fruits)
Tvak/Twacha (Skin )
Sara (Heart Wood)
Swarasa (Sap)
Niryasa( Exudation)
Sneha (fats and oil)
Kantaka (prickle)
Vija (Seed)
Praroha (Sprout)

References -
Singh V., Jain DK, 2009, Taxonomy of Angiosperm, Rastogi Publications, Meerut, India page -7
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Plant Anatomy in Vrikshayurveda by Parashara

Plant Science in Vrikshayurveda by Parashara-3
Plant Science in Ayurveda Samhitas – 12
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –109

Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti

  Other world did get some knowledge of internal parts of plant in 17th century after invention of microscope. However,  there was  clear mention or concept of microscopic anatomy in Parashara period when Vrikshayurveda was created.
In this chapter a couple of example will be submitted about Plant Anatomy concept in Vrikshayurveda by Parashara –
 1st Plant Anatomy Example in Vrikshayurveda by Parashara –
-In  Verse 3-4 of Dwiganiya Adhyaya (chapter III) of Bijotpati Kanda book) of Vrikshayurveda, Parashara explains that –
Bijanganior parts of seeds
‘ Parts of seeds are termed as ‘Kikhosa’, ‘Bijamatrika’, ‘Bijapatra’ and ‘Matrkacchada’.
Kikhosa is pouter cover of seed.
The seed coat (kikhosa) , according to its nature is divided into three kind –
Kastika (woody)
Karpara (Brittle)
And
Mridula (Soft) .
The above is cited rom Book  by Sircar  (1)
2nd Plant Anatomy example in Vrikshayurveda by Parashara (2)–
In 1.4.27 of Vrikshayurveda is about description of internal structure of leaf .
According to Parashara, leaf consists of many cells (rasakosha) .the cell wall is fine and transparent (Sukshmaacchapatraka) and derived from jelly like substance (alarm) through metabolic actions. The basic structure of cell explained by Parashara is same as of modern time – cell wall and protoplasm (kalam of Parashara ) 
 Parashara describes that  the rasakosha or cell as store house of the sap(rasasyarya adharascha )
  As per Parashara, The cell sap contains five basic constituents  (panchbhutika gunasamanvitah and  colouring matter (ranjakayuktam )   (2)-
There are references of Tvaka ( Epedermis) , sara (heart wood),  Swarsa (sap), niryasu (exudation ) and sneha (fat and oil ) too in Vrikshayurveda by Parashara that shows that in those time, scholars had good knowledge of plant anatomy and physiology in ancient India  .
 
References –
1-Sircar,NN. Roma Sarkar (edited and Translated) ,1996,  Vrikshayurveda  of Parashara ( a treatise on Plant Science) Sri Satguru Publications
2-Bhatacharjee, Sankar; Mrinal kant Bhattacharya , ‘Knowledge of taxonomy , Anatomy and Physiology of Plants in Some Sanskrit Texts of Ancient India , 2nd World Congress on Vedic Science , 9-11 Feb 2007, pp 330-338
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Plant Physiology in Vrikshayurveda by Parashara the father of Botany 

Plant Science in Vrikshayurveda by Parashara-4 
Plant Science in Ayurveda Samhitas – 13
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –110   

Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti

Sage Parashara is called father of Botany because first time the great sage Parashara described various aspects of plant science .
Plant physiology deals with functioning of organs for plant growth and gene spread. Vrikshayurveda by Parashara (11.7.3) states that the plant roots absorb Sap of six different kinds of tastes (rasa) from soil and transport that sap to different plant parts. This phenomenon is still discussed in modern botany.
The chapter 1.7.13 illustrates that there are two types of circulatory system in plants consisting of sira (tubular vessels) and syandani (Pulsators) vessels .
References –
1-Sircar,NN. Roma Sarkar (edited and Translated) ,1996,  Vrikshayurveda  of Parashara ( a treatise on Plant Science) Sri Satguru Publications
2-Bhatacharjee, Sankar; Mrinal kant Bhattacharya , ‘Knowledge of taxonomy , Anatomy and Physiology of Plants in Some Sanskrit Texts of Ancient India , 2nd World Congress on vedic Science , 9-11 feb 2007, pp 330-338
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Kashyap Samhita and Plant Science: An Introduction
Plant Science in Ayurveda Samhitas – 15
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –112   
Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti
 
Nepal Rajguru Hemeraj Sharma first published the Kashyap Samhita. That Samhita was partially published but now complete Samhita is available (1). Yadva ji Vikram Ji Acharya edited the classic Samhita (1). Kashyap Samhita /Bridhajeewaktantra has relation with KaumarBhritya Tantra (Child disease cure or Paediatric Science)
According to Dr Ajay Kumar (2) the scholars created Kashyap Samhita in 600 BCE. While Satyapal Bhishgacharya concludes that Kashyap Samhita written on Tada Patra (Palm leaves) seems to be   700 -800years back (3).  Ayurveda Historian Vidyalankar wrote about Kashyap Samhita or Bridhajeewak Tantra   in Nagvansha Chapter 176-340 A.D (1). 
  Kashyap Samhita is the custom of Charaka Samhita. Marich Kashyap is the narrator or preacher of Kashyap Samhita. There is three times mention of Marich Kashyap in Charaka Samhita (1) . There was a downfall in the interest among scholars for Kashyap Samhita and then Jeewak the son of Richik summerized or abridged for scholars  . The five year old child Jeewak presented the short version of Kashyap Samhita (reworked by Jeewak) before scholars in a medical conference in Kankhal /Haridwar at Ganga bank in Uttarakhand. The scholars did not accept the short version as they did not believe a child could shorten the huge volume of Kashyap Samhita. Scholars just refused to hear Child Jeewak. Jeewak dipped into Ganga  and came out as an aged Jeewak or Bridha Jeewak. Scholars named him Bridha Jeewak and accepted the shortened version of Kashyap Samhita (2). In later stages, Vatsya the heir of Jeewak promoted by editing further copies or bringing new editions for Kahsyap Samhita and there is the name of Kankhal in the late stage edition too (1). Vidyalankar analysed and concluded that Vatsya should be around Kalidas period that is 4th century AD.
   - Medical conference in Kashyap Samhita (edited by Vatsya) the indicator of medical tourism -
  Dr. Ajay Kumar offers the story of Jeewak and his becoming Bridha Jeewak (2) that there was a medical scholar conference in Kankhal (Today’s Haridwar, Uttarakhand) where medical scholars attended and Jeewak presented the short edition of Kashyap Samhita. It clearly shows that around 4th century AD, there was a custom of medical scholars attending medical conferences. The holdings   of medical conferences clearly indicate the sign of the development of tourism and medical tourism.
References
1-Vidyalankar Atrideva,   Ayurveda ka Vrihat Itihas, Hindi Sahitya Samiti, Banaras pages -960, page 204-205
2- Kumar Dr. Ajay, Dr. Ttina Singhal, Kashyap Samhita: Kewal Mool Shloka , published by Dr. Ajay Kumar , 2001 , page 1 of Grantha Parichay
3-Rai Deepshikha, Kashyap Samhita, Kashyap Samhita: A review of History and its contribution to Kumarbhritya, International Journal of Ayurveda and Herbal medicines 4.5 (2014) 1569-1578
 
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Plants used for Dhupan /havan /Fumigation and anti-fumigation mentioned in Kashyapa Samhita 
Plants mentioned in Kashyapa Samhita, Kaumarbhritya – Part-2
Plant Science in Ayurveda Samhitas – 17
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –114   
Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti   
  Sage Kashyapa is the father of Pediatrics (BAL Chikitsa or Kumar Chikitsa). 
In last chapter, it was discussed about the plants mentioned in Kashyapa Samhita, Kaumarbhritya. (1, 2, 3 )
Sagar Bhinde and Sunil Joshi offered to the Botanical world their findings about plants for fumigation and anti-fumigation mentioned in chapter of Dhupkalpadhyaya of Kashyapa Samhita (4). 
   The plants used for fumigation and anti-fumigation (in Kashyapa Samhita are (4) and also could be found in Kashyapa Samhita translated in Hindi by Sri Satyapala Bhrinshgacharya (3)-
Plant name in Kashyapa Samhita -------------------- Botanical name
Sarson ------------------------------------------------- Brassica compestris
Vacha ------------------------------------------------  Acorus calamus
Laksha ------------------------------------------------   Lecifer lacca
Hingu ------------------------------------------    ---  Ferula narthex
Nimba-------------------------------------  ------------ Azadirachta indica
Gugglu ------------------------------------ -----------  Commiphora wighti
Akshata ---------------------------------------------------- Oryza  sativa
Tagara ----------------------------------------------------- Valeriana wallichi
Devdaru ------------------------------------------------- Cedrus  deodara
Balaka ----------------------------------------------------  Pavonia odorata
Kushtha ------------------------------------------------- Saussurea lappa
Surasa -------------------------------------------------  Ocimum santum


Pipplai --------------------------------------------------  piper longum
Bhallantaka --------------------------------------------- Semecarpus anacardium
Bilva ---------------------------------------------------  Agel marmelos
Haridra ---------------------------------------------------- Curucuma longa and berbries species
Padmaka -----------------------------------------------  Prumus puddum
Nameru -----------------------------------------           Ochrocarpus longifolius
Yava ---------------------------------------------- ---  Hordeum  vulgare
Paripelva  -------------------------------------------- Cyperus plytistilis
Jati ---------------------------------------------------   Myristica fragrans
Ela -----------------------------------------------   Elletaria cardamomum
Ushira ----------------------------------------------  Vetiveria zizanioides
Jatamasi ---------------------------------------------- Nardostachys jatamansi
Sarjarasa -------------------------------------------------- resin of Shorea robusta
Vidanga ---------------------------------------------  Embelia ribes
Patra ------------------------------------------  -------Cinnamonum tamla
Shilayaka ----------------------------------  ------------Permelia perlata
Bhurjavarta ----------------------------- -- ------------Betula utilis
Charaka -------------------------------  -------------Angelica glauca
Sukari --------------------------------------------- Dioscorea bulbifera
Shriveshtaka -------------------------------------Resin of   Pinus Longifolio
Chandana -------------------------------------  Santalum album
Shala ---------------------------------------  ----Shorea robusta
Musta -------------------------------------------- Cyperus rotundos
Shatpushpa -----------------------------------  Anethum graveolens
Harenuka --------------------------------------   Anomum subulantum
Laja ------------------------------------------------  Lathyrus japnicus
Kusha ----------------------------------------------   Eragrostis cynosuroides
Brahmi ------------------------------------------------ Bacopa monniera
Vasuka ------------------------------------------------ Calotropis gigantea
Svadamshtra ----------------------------------------  Tribulus  terristris
Bhargi ------------------------------------------------  Clerodendrum serratum
Keshara -----------------------------------------------   Hibiscus abelmoschus
Shallaki ----------------------------------------------  Bosewellia serrata
Putika ------------------------------------------------ Pongamia galbra
Ashwagandha --------------------------------------- Withania somnifera
Shrish  ------------------------------------------------ Albizzia lebbeck
Trunmula ------------------------------------------ roots of --- Aquilaria aggalocha, Orpiment Realgar
 It is clear that the scholars or scientists of  Kashyapa Samhita creating  age were well aware about the chemical composition of certain plants and effects of those chemical or gas formed by fumigation on human bodies.   
References-
1-Burdak, Dr.Shankar Lal, Dr. Rameshwar Lal, 2020,  Kashyapa praveshika, Shankar Lal Burdak , Jaipur , India
2- Kumar, Dr. Ajay, Dr. Tina Singhal, 2019 book is available on online without offering reference of publisher
3- Sri Satyapala Bhrishgacharya Kashyap Samhita (translation of Original book by Nepal Rajguru Hemraja Sharma)  Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan Banaras  pp 170 to 173
4- Sagar Bhinde, Sunil Joshi,  Dhupkalpadhyaya of Kashyapa Samhita,  Journal of Indian System of Medicine (Joinsysmedi) vol.3 ( 2) pp 82-86
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Panini’s Ashtadhyayi

BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –115   
Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti   

 There is no agreement on the period of Panini and his creation Ashtadhyayi. However, it is better to state that Panini’s period is from 4BC-5AD (1).
 Ashtadhyayi by Panini is one of very important classics to understand political, socials, geographical aspects of India after Maurya era and even Maurya period too.
Ashtadhyayi a Sanskrit treatise set the linguistic standards for classic Sanskrit. Ashtadhyayi by Panini has 3959 sutras summing up the phonetic science and grammar evolved in  Vedic religion .
Panini divided Ashtadhyayi into eight chapters and further divided each chapter into four chapters.  Panini defined Sanskrit morphology Sanskrit syntax. Ashtadhyayi defined the difference between Spoken language and language used in texts (Shastras). Ashtadhyayi linked Grammar to Turing machine that is mathematical model.
  Panini was son of Dakshi as Patanjali Mahbhashya states him as Dakshiputra. Panini became the father of Sanskrit Grammar as Ashtadhyayi is only book survived. (1)
Panini’s Ashtadhyayi is important text for understanding pant science development tin India(2) .
References
1-Vergiani, Vincenzo (2017), Bhartrhari on Language, Perception and Consciousness, in Ganeri, Jonardon ( edi )  The Oxford Handbook of Indian Philosophy , Oxford University Press
2-Agarawala, V.S, Ancient Indian Flora in Ashtadhyayi of Panini, Palaeobotanist (1952) 1:61-65
3-Agarwal, Ashwini Kumar , Ashtadhyayi of Panini complete

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Forest Types based on products in Panini’s Ashtadhyayi

Plant Science in Panini’s Ashtadhyayi
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –115   

Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti   

  Ashtadhyayi by Panini is a grammar text for Sanskrit language. Panini took note  of many words those related to plant kingdom plants, creepers, trees, wood , forests etc. (2) . Panini classified the forests  (vana ) on the basis of produces as –
Aushadhivana ---------the forest regions producing herbs (AshtaVIII, 4.6)
Durvavana and murvavana ------------------- the forest regions producing fodders (VIII, 4.6) 
Vanasptivana ------------------------ Forest producing big trees mainly producing timber (VIII, 4.6)
 Panini classified forests on the following basis too –
Paragvana -------------------------Natural Forests (VIII, 4.4)
Mishrikvana ---------------------- Forest related to a region. (VIII, 4.4)
There is division of cultivated forest based on the fruits as (VIII 4,5)-
Amravana -----------------    forests producing mango
Khadiravana --------------------- Forests producing catechu
Ikshavana -------------------- ----Sugarcane forests
References
1-Vergiani, Vincenzo (2017), Bhartrhari on Language, Perception and Consciousness, in Ganeri, Jonardon ( edi )  The Oxford Handbook of Indian Philosophy , Oxford University Press
2-Agarawala, V.S, Ancient Indian Flora in Ashtadhyayi of Panini, Palaeobotanist (1952) 1:61-65
3- Vasudev Shran Agarawala , Panini Kalin Bhartavarsha  (Digitalized book free down load )
3-Agarwal, Ashwini Kumar , Ashtadhyayi of Panini complete

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