Flora (6): Creepers

(a) Karipippalī (II. 4. 98; p. 105)–

[Black pepper:]

Amarakośa gives kṛṣṇā, upakulyā, vaidehī, māgadhī, capalā, kaṇā, uṣaṇā, pippalī, śauṇḍī and kolā as synonyms and karipippali, kapivallī, kolavallī, śreyasī and viśara as different varieties of pepper.

Kṣīrasvāmin observes that in Dhanvantari Nighaṇṭu (II. 76- 8) the second set is termed as the fruit of the former–

āha ca cāvikā kolavallī tu cavyaṃ cavanameva ca |
tasyāḥ phalaṃ vinirdiṣṭaṃ śreyasī hastipippalī ||

He further adds that Candranandana does not distinguish the plant and its fruit but gives their names in general–

candranandanaḥ sāmānyenāha—
cavyā kolā ca cavikā śreyasī gajapippalī |
cavanā kolavallī tu cavyaṃ kuñjarapippalī ||

(b) Tāmbūlavallī (II. 4. 120; p. 111)–

[Betel leaf:]

It is also called nāgavalli or phaṇivallī as it is believed to be brought from the nether world–

nāgavallī phaṇilatā pātālānītatvāt |

(c) Urvāruka (II. 4. 153; p. 120)–

[Cucumber:]

The humble cucumber gains importance as Kṣīrasvāmin elucidates the much recited mṛtyuñjaya mantra, Ṛgveda(VII. 59. 30)–

urvārukamiva bandhanād iti śruteḥ |

(d) Mallikā (II. 4. 70; p.98)–

[Jasmine:]

The jasmine family as a whole has many species which vary in size, shape and to a certain extent colour. They are shrubs as well as creepers. Indian Materia Medica also lists different varieties of jasmine under Jasmine family.

(i) The infloroscence of Jasmine stand conspicuously at the end of its shoots. Kṣīrasvāmin alludes the name mallikā with this feature. Some species of Jasmine when in contact with earth puts forth roots.

Kṣīrasvāmin being a keen observer, perhaps refers to this—

tṛṇaśūle gulme sādhu tṛṇaśūlyam | mallyate mūrdhni |

He also quotes Dhanvantari to support his views.

(ii) Jasmine being the seasonal flower of summer is śītabhīru or opposed to winter.

(iii) The aromatic nature of the flower is also highlighted with many self explanatory synonyms. Suvahā refers to the fragrant quality of the flower and always sought after by the bees.

This quality renders Jasmine the name śephālikā–

śerate śephā ālayo'syā śephālikā |

(iv) Geographical occurrence of jasmine in plentitude in the Magadha region is also pointed out by Kṣīrasvāmin denoting his knowledge of Indian geography–

magadhadeśe bhavā māgadhī |

Likewise puṇḍraka is that which is indigenous of Puṇḍra deśa–

puṇḍradeśe bhavaḥ puṇḍrakaḥ |

(v) Aphrodaisic nature of Jasmine is reflected by the term gaṇikā, mādhavī and atimukta. The ensnaring quality is on par with the attraction for gaṇikā, allures even the renounced atimukta–

ātikrānto muktān viraktānatimuktaḥ |

Understandably mādhavī blossoms in spring–

madhau vasante bhavā mādhavī |

(vi) Though pure white in colour generally some of the species of jasmine carry a tinge of yellow or pink borders at the petals and hence named variedly.