The document discusses botanical science as described in Sanskrit literature and its contemporary relevance. It summarizes concepts from ancient Indian texts like the Vrkshayurveda, Mahabharata, Brhatsamhita related to plant anatomy, physiology, morphology. It provides classifications of plants from Caraka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. It also discusses cognitive senses of plants with examples and references consciousness in plants based on concepts from Manusmriti and Mahabharata.

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BOTANICAL SCIENCE IN SANSKRIT
LITERATURE – EXPLORING ITS
CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE
Dr. J.S.R.A. Prasad,Dr. J.S.R.A. Prasad,
Dept. of Sanskrit Studies,Dept. of Sanskrit Studies,
School of Humanities, University of HyderabadSchool of Humanities, University of Hyderabad
Hyderabad, India – 500 046Hyderabad, India – 500 046
Email:Email: jsraprasad@gmail.comjsraprasad@gmail.com

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Sanskrit literature has innumerable scientific insights
that can be classified under several scientific
disciplines. One of them is botanical science.
Though there is no single text that describes the
plant anatomy, physiology, morphology and related
concepts, texts like Vrkshayurveda, Mahabharata,
Brhatsamhita, Artha Shastra, Amarakosha, Krishi
Parasara etc., implicitly explain several such
aspects.

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The Earth is the essence of all beings
एषां भूतानां पृथिथिवी रसः ।
(Ch.U. 1.1.2)

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Water is the essence of the Earth
पृथिथिव्या आपो रसः ।
(Ch.U. 1.1.2)

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Herbs are the essence of Water
अपामोषधयो रसः ।
(Ch.U. 1.1.2)

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Man is the essence of Herbs
ओषधीनां पुरुषो रसः ।
(Ch.U. 1.1.2)

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The World View
According to Caraka
Samhita and
Sushruta Samhitas,
the life form is two
fold -
Life
1. sthaavara 2. jangama
(immobile) (mobile)
1. Plants come under the
first category.
2. Humans and animals
comes under the second

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Classification of Plants
1. Sthaavara:
1.1 Vanaspati - (trees which bear fruit without
flowers) jack fruit etc.
1.2 Vaanaspatya – (trees with fruits and flowers)
mango etc.
1.3 Veerud - (grass varieties and creepers) vines
etc.
1.4 Oshadhi - (food grains) paddy, banana etc.

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Contd...
2. Jangama:
2.1 Jaraayuja: placenta with membranes, that refers to the
humans, animals, wild animals etc.
2.2 Andaja: birds, snakes, fish, crocodiles, tortoises
2.3 Svedaja: microbes, ants, bed bugs etc.
2.4 Udbhijja: vegetable kingdom

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After discussing this ontological structure of plant
kingdom, now it is easier for us to go to
discuss the genesis of a seed.

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Genesis of a Seed
आपो िह कललं भूत्वा
यिण्त्पण्डस्थिनुकं भवेत् ।
तदेव व्यूहमानत्वात्
बीजत्वमिधगच्छतित ।।
( :Ref भारद्वाजस्य वृथक्षायुवेदः
1)
As per Vrikshayurveda As per Modern Science

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Contd...
Free translation of the above verse:
'water acquires the form of a zygote which
further transforms in to an embryo. Over the
transformational process, that finally takes the
shape of a seed'

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Cognitive Senses in Plants
Mahabharata - Santiparvan:
घनानामिप वृथक्षाणाम् आकाशोऽिण्स्त न संशयः ।
तेषां पुष्पफले व्यिक्तिर्निनरत्यं समुपलभ्यते ।।१०।।
“Bhrigu said, 'Without doubt, though possessed of
density, trees have space within them. The putting
forth of flowers and fruits is always taking place in
them. (Tr. By Kisari Mohan Ganguly)”

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ऊष्मते ग्लानपणारन् त्वक्फलं
पुष्पमेव च ।
म्लायते चैव शीतेन स्पशरस्तेनात्र
िवद्यते ।।११।।
”They have heat within them in
consequence of which leaf,
bark, fruit, and flower, are
seen to droop. They sicken
and dry up. That shows they
have perception of touch.”
- 'Example 'Saraca Asoca
"अशोकस्य च
कािमनीपादतलाहितसुिखिनः
स्तबिकतस्य स्पशरनानुमानं”
( )Chakrapani on Caraka
Cognitive Senses - Touch

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What Chakrapani says is that the 'Saraca Asoca'
blossoms with the gentle 'kick' of a beatiful lady !
Yes! It may be worth to test!!
...Comment

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वाय्वग्न्यशिन िनष्पेषैः फलपुष्पान्
िवशीयरते ।
श्रोत्रेण गृथह्यते
शब्दस्तस्माच्छतृथ ण्विण्न्त पादपाः
।।१२।।
”Through sound of wind and
fire and thunder, their fruits
and flowers drop down. Sound
is perceived through the ear.
Trees have, therefore, ears
and do hear”.
- 'Example Phyllanthus
'acidus
तथिा लवली मेघस्तिनतश्रवणात्
फलवती भवित
( )Chakrapani on Caraka
Cognitive Senses - Sound

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...Comment
What Chakrapani says is that the 'Phyllanthus acidus''
bear fruits due to the thunder sounds!

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वल्ली वेष्टयते वृथक्षान् सवरतश्चैव
गच्छतित ।
न ह्यदृष्टेश्च मागोऽिण्स्त
तस्मात्पश्यिण्न्त पादपाः ।।१३।।
A creeper winds round a tree and
goes about all its sides. A blind
thing cannot find its way. For
this reason it is evident that trees
have vision.
- 'Example Helianthus
'annuus
सूयरभक्तिर्नाया यथिा यथिा सूयो भ्रमित
तथिा तथिा भ्रमणादृथगनुमीयते
( )Chakrapani on Caraka
Cognitive Senses - Vision

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In the above example, from chakrapANIya, it is
inferred that the 'Helianthus annuus' has also
the visual organ, as the flower rotates its petals
along with the sun's moment.
...Comment

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पुण्यापुण्यैस्तथिा गन्धैधूरपैश्च िविवधैरिप ।
अरोगाः पुिण्ष्पताः सिण्न्त तस्मािण्ज्जघ्रन्तिण्न्त पादपाः ।।१४।।
”Then again trees recover vigour and put forth flowers in
consequence of odours, good and bad, of the sacred
perfume of diverse kinds of dhupas. It is plain that trees
have scent.“
(ChakrapANi did not offer an example here)
Cognitive Senses - Smell

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पादैः सिललपानान् च
व्याधीनामिप दशरनम् ।
व्यािधप्रतितिक्रियत्वाच्च िवद्यते
रसनं दृमे ।।१५।।
They drink water by their roots.
They catch diseases of
diverse kinds. Those diseases
again are cured by different
operations. From this it is
evident that trees have
perceptions of taste.
- ''Example Mangifera indica
चूतानां च मत्स्यवसासेकात् फलाढ्यतया
रसनमनुमीयते
( )Chakrapani on Caraka
Cognitive Senses - Taste

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To prove the existence of the cognitive sense -
the taste, ChakrapANi had considered a typical
example. A solution with the fish fat is used for
the better yield of plants as widely discussed in
Vrikshayurveda. Once this solution is used to
water the 'Magnifera indica', it offers abundant
yield of fruits!
...Comment

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In the previous examples of Mahabharata and
Caraka Samhitas, the form/shape of the
cognitive senses of plants cannot be corelated
with that of humans. To understand this
phenomenon in a better way, one has to study
the definion of indriya (sensory organ) from
Tarka Samgraha text, belongs to the Nyaya
tradition.
How to Believe?

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Consciousness in Plants
तमसा बहुरूण वेिष्टताः कमरहेतुना ।
अन्तस्सञ्ज्ञा भवन्त्येते सुखिदुःखिसमिण्न्वताः ।।
“These (plants) which are surrounded by
multiform Darkness, the result of their acts
(in former existences), possess internal
consciousness and experience pleasure and
pain.” (Manusmriti)

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ग्रहणात् सुखिदुःखिस्य िछतन्नस्य च िवरोहणात् ।
जीवं पश्यािम वृथक्षाणामिचन्त्यं न िवद्यते ।।१७।।
”They are susceptible of pleasure and pain, and grow
when cut or lopped off. From these circumstances I
(Bharadwaja) see that trees have life.”
(Maha Bharata, Santi parvan, Tr. Kisari Mohan
Ganguly)
Contd...

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 Consciousness is there all beings according to Indian
philosophy, plants are not an exception. But Indians are the first
to describe this issue related to plants. Sir J.C.Bose might have
got inspiration from the referred texts!
 Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird experimented on plant
stimuli using a polygraph. They declared in their book 'The
Secret Life of Plants' (1973), that plants can even read our
thoughts. Yes, it is possible as they possess consciousness as
cleary described by Indian philosophers.
Contd...

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Suction Force Theory
In 1892 Dixon and Jolley, on one of their joint visits to
the continent, also saw some of Strasburger's
experiments which demonstrated that tall trees
continued to draw up water even after the stem had
been killed. It was this which sowed the germ of the
idea which was to link the names of Dixon and
Jolley in the scientific literature and to associate
them for ever with the Theory of the Ascent of Sap
in plants. (source: Internet)

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But how this happens in plants cannot be
understood unless the concept of 'capillary
action' is understood that was explained in
Mahabharata.

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Capillary Action
वक्त्रेणोत्पलनालेन यथिोध्वर जलमाददेत् ।
तथिा पवनसंयुक्तिर्नः पादैः िपबित पादपः ।।१६।।
”As one can suck up water through a bent lotus-stalk,
trees also, with the aid of the wind, drink through their
roots.”
This happens against the gravitational force of the earth!

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According to Ayurveda, a person's constitution is decided
based on tridoshas. Similarly, plants do have tridoshas as
propounded by sage ParAshara.
नराणािमव वृथक्षाणां वात-िपत-कफा रूजाः ।
सम्भविण्न्त िनरूप्यातः कु यारतदोषनाशनम् ।।
(Ref.: upavana vinoda)
Tridoshas are the 3 humors called 1.वात (wind) 2. िपत (bile)
and 3. कफ (phlegm) (translated in a loose sense).
Tridosha Theory

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Contd...
Some of the characteristics of the tridoshas were
explained in Parashara's Vrikshayurveda as follows.

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Tridosha - vAta Constitution
Plants, in which the vAta is
predominant, are long and
lean. The leaves whither
away due to excessive
heat.

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Tridosha - pitta Constitution
Plants, that fall under this
category, can afford
excessive sunlight, are
full of leaves and flowers,
with a slender touch.
They also give us
unseasonal fruits

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Tridosha - kapha Constitution
Plants, in this category,
are well grown having
a big trunk and
branches. They offer
abundant fruits.
No such theories as explained here, are found in
modern botany

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Binomial Nomenclature
सुवचरला1
सूयरभक्तिर्ना2
वरदा3
बददािप4
च ।
सूयारवतार5
रिवप्रतीता6
अपरा7
ब्रह्मसुवचरला8
।। (भा.प्रत.)
Synonyms of Helianthus
'annuus
Linneous (18th
c.), a Sweedish scientist, is the
inventor of binomial nomenclature

Sir William jones said - 'had Linneous studied
Sanskrit, he would have created more meaningful
nomenclature'.

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Chemistry of Helianthus annuus:
Per 100 g, the seed is reported to contain 560 calories, 4.8 g H2O, 24.0 g protein, 47.3 g fat, 19.4
g total carbohydrate, 3.8 g fiber, 4.0 g ash, 120 mg Ca, 837 mg P, 7.1 mg Fe, 30 mg Na, 920
mg K, 30 mg b-carotene equivalent, 1.96 mg thiamine, 0.23 mg riboflavin, 5.4 mg niacin,
and 0 mg ascorbic acid. Seeds contain 25–35% of oil, but cultivars have been bred in Russia
with up to 50% oil. Oil contains 44–72% linoleic acid, and 13–20% protein of high
biological value and digestibility. Stems and husks are rich in potash. The forage (ZMB)
contains 8.8% protein, 2.9% fat, 77.2% total carbohydrate, 30.3g fiber, and 11.1 g ash.
Another analysis shows young shoots contain: 13.0% protein, 1.9% fat, 70.3% total
carbohydrate, 20.4 g fiber, 14.8 g ash, 1,670 mg Ca, and 370 mg P/100 g. The flowers
contain 12.7% protein, 13.7% fat, 64.3% total carbohydrate, 32.9 g fiber, 9.3 g ash, 630 mg
Ca, and 80 mg P/100 g. Sunflower oil has a high concentration of linoleic acid, intermediate
level of oleic acid, and very low levels of linolenic acid. The saturated acids, palmitic and
stearic, rarely exceed 12%, and the minor acids, lauric, arachidic, behenic, lignoceric,
eicosenoic, etc. rarely add up to as much as 2%. Tocopherol, or vitamin E, is an important
vitamin and natural antioxidant. Sunflower oil is somewhat unique in that the alpha form
predominates, with 608, 17, and 11 mg/kg of alpha, beta, and gamma, compared with 116,
34, and 737 respectively for soybean/oil (Dorrell, 1981). (source: Internet)
contd...

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contd...
Distribution: Throughout India cultivated
The Plant: An annual herb upto 5 m in height with
erect rough hispid or hirsute stem and few
branches at the top; leaves simle, alternate, long
stalked, broadly ovate to cordate, coarsely
toothed, tough pubescent on both sides; flowers
bright yellow, in heads, terminal on the main axis
and branches; fruits slightly compressed cypsela,
pappus falling off early.Parts used: rots, leaves,
flowers, seeds Properties and uses: The roots are
anodyne, and are useful in odontalgia and for
strengthening the teeth. The leaves are emetic,
and are useful in lumbago, malarial fever, ulcers,
wounds, cephalalgia and burning sensation.
The flowers are acrid, bitter, refrigerant,
anthelmintic antiperiodic, emmenagogue
and aphrodisiac. They are useful in
inflammations, leprosy, skin diseases,
pruritus, ulcers, hysteria, bronchitis,
asthma, urethrorrhea, anaemia, burning
sensation, pectoralgia, hepatopathy,
pneumonosis, haemorroids, opthalmia,
ascites, nephropathy, helminthiasis,
intermitten fevers, amenorrhoea,
sysmenorrhoea and vitiated conditions of
pitta. The seeds are expectorant and
diuretic, and are useful in cough, catarrh,
pneumonosis and strangury.
Ayurvedic Description:

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Taxonomy
Sir Willam Jones was correct as per the scientific nomenclature of
plants discussed in Ayurveda is concerned.
Plants can be indentified based on:
- special associations like – bodhi druma (Fiscus religiosa) etc.
- special properties like – arsoghna (Amorphophallus campanulatus)
etc.
- morphological structures like – asvaparnaka (Shorea robusta) etc.

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Contd...
- local association like – magadhi (jasmine),
vaidehi (pepper) etc.
- other peculiarities like – vranari (enemy of
boils) etc.
(Source: Ancient Indian Botany and Taxonomy – Lalit Tiwari
http://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/t_es/t_es_tiwar_botany_fr
ameset.htm)

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Theories to Explore FurtherTheories to Explore Further

The Concept ofThe Concept of rasa panchakarasa panchaka (pharmaco-dynamics) of drugs.(pharmaco-dynamics) of drugs.
Without using any equippment, ancient Indians could able to say theWithout using any equippment, ancient Indians could able to say the
'taste', 'property', 'potency', 'metabolic effect', and 'action', of the'taste', 'property', 'potency', 'metabolic effect', and 'action', of the
drug in contrary to the researches of single molecular medicinaldrug in contrary to the researches of single molecular medicinal
effects. How that was possible??effects. How that was possible??

Beautiful seedlings techniquesBeautiful seedlings techniques
As explained in Bharadwaja's Vrikshayurveda and Artha ShastraAs explained in Bharadwaja's Vrikshayurveda and Artha Shastra

Grafting techniquesGrafting techniques
As explained in Bharadwaja's VrikshayurvedaAs explained in Bharadwaja's Vrikshayurveda

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- Ancient Indian Gardening- Ancient Indian Gardening
As explained in Bharadwaja's Vrikshayurveda,As explained in Bharadwaja's Vrikshayurveda,
Upavanavinoda and Artha ShastraUpavanavinoda and Artha Shastra
- Types of land described (useful in soil testing)- Types of land described (useful in soil testing)
As explained in Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda.As explained in Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda.
- Inorganic methods of plant protection and plant- Inorganic methods of plant protection and plant
yieldyield
As explained in Bharadwaja's vrikshayurveda,As explained in Bharadwaja's vrikshayurveda,
Upavanavinoda, Artha Shastra and Agni PuranaUpavanavinoda, Artha Shastra and Agni Purana
contd...

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References

Vrikshayurveda

Upavana vinoda

Mahabharata

Manu Smriti

Artha Shastra

Caraka Samhita

Sushruta Samhita

Chandogyopanishad

World Wide Web (all images and some data)

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Based onBased on
ancient Indianancient Indian
plant protectionplant protection
techniques,cantechniques,can
we say a bigwe say a big
'bye bye','bye bye',
to Monsantoto Monsanto
and otherand other
playersplayers
working inworking in
geneticalgenetical
engineering ?engineering ?