2. Summary of the Vrikshayurveda of Surapala

Vrikshayurveda written by 'Surapala' is an ancient Sanskrit text on the "Science of plant life" mainly dealing with various aspects of plant life, their healthy growth and productivity. The text is in a verse form. There are 325 verses. Verses 184 and 202 are missing and a few lines of some verses are missing. The text mentions about 170 species of plants including herbs, shrubs and trees. This text motivates and instigates to plant trees and take care of them. The text is systematically divided in to 13 chapters, and each chapter deals with a specific topic. A tabular representation of the verses in accordance to the content-wise subjective classification is furnished below-

CHAPTER SUBJECTIVE DESCRIPTIVE DETAILS | VERSES SERIAL CLASSIFICATION Chapter - I Introductory Introduction 01-08 Composition aspects Significance, appreciation and fortune of Glorification 09-23 of trees Trees • Chapter - II - (tarumahima) Auspicious and inauspicious Plantation of trees signs of trees planted near adjacent to residential 24-32 the Abode complexes (nivasasanna Garden Layout 33-34 tarusubhasubha laksanani) Chapter - III Ascertaining of Soil (bhuminirupanam) Land Profile 35-44 Chapter - IV Method of Propagating Plant Profile 45-51 Seeds (bijotpatti-vidhi) Extension Seed Viability 52-60 Treatment Plantation 61-62 Procedure Chapter - V The Method of Plantation Plantation 63-96 (vapana- vidhi) Procedure Chapter VI The Water of Carass Plantation 97 - 106 (kunapa Jalam) Objectives Chapter - VII Nourishment Irrigation 107 - 120 (posana-adhyayah) Protection 121 - 131 Counter against 132 Evil Sight High Yield 133 - 146 Process of Dohada 147-157 Plant Protection 158-164 67

Chapter - VIII The Knowledge on Disease Disease 165 - 183 of Plants (rogajnana Diagnostics adhyayah) Chapter - IX The Treatment of Plant Disesses Disease Treatment 184 - 217 Improvement Care 218 - 222 (rogopasama-adhyayah) Chapter - X Botanical Marvels Horticulture 223 - 292 Wonders (vicitra-adhyayah) Chapter - XI Laying out of Garden Garden Project 293 - 300 (upavana- Prakriya) Chapter - XII The Examination of the Land for the purpose of a Well Hydrology 301-319 (kupartham bhumi-pariksa) Chapter - XIII The ascertainment of Discoveries on the Production of Crops, Grains Production of Crops, Grains 320 - 324 and Others (annadi-nispatih) and Others Concluding 325 Statement 68 II.1.1. Chapter review of Vrikshayurveda by Surapala: 1. The text begins with salutation to Lord Ganesa followed by glorification of trees. In the first two verses 'Surapala' describes the garden as the main criteria of a happy king. Having a garden in the palace with large delightful ponds is a king in the real sense of the term. In the third verse he introduces about his own composition for the joy of the learned readers.

69 About glory of trees 'Surapala' states that one tree is equal to ten sons. The libations offered by the ten sons of a father is less than the libation offered by a tree to his father (the planter) with fruits, flowers, leaves and shades (v.5,6). Trees are the means for mankind to yield the means of dharma, artha, kama and moksa (v.8). In verse (9-15), the author mentions the religious merits of certain trees. A person who plants tulasi is honored in Vaikuntha for a long period, who plants bilva, pleases lord Siva, who plants asvattha, goes to the abode of Hari, who plants dhatri, he is considered a religious person. Who plants a couple of Banyan Trees, goes to the abode of Siva and a Neem Trees attains the abode of Sun. similarly, one who plants mango, palasa, udumbara, madhuka, ksirini, dadimi, panasa, jambu, kapittha also gains the religious merits are mentioned in verse 16-23. 2. The IInd chapter deals with the auspicious and inauspicious signs of trees planted near the house (v. 24-34). Surapala here states that if nyagrodha is planted to the east, it fulfills all wishes, 1 likewise udumbara to the south, pippala to the west and plaksa to the north are auspicious (v. 24,25). The planting of asvattha to the east, plaksa to the south, nyagrodha to the west and udumbara to the north is to be prohibited forever (v.26). Surapala avoids the

70 planting of trees in front of the house, as it is held inauspicious, if the shadow of the tree of any kind should fall upon the house (v.28). He has also mentioned the names of some specific trees not to be planted in a house; these are badari, kadali, dadimi and bijapuraka (v.29). The trees like eranda, arjuna, karanja and slesmataka should not be grown in the vicinity of the house of a happy man (v.30). One should avoid near the house thorny plants, plants oozing milk, bearing wild fruits, that having hard wood. Never to plant nili and haridra (turmeric) near the house (v. 31, 32). The author advices for the garden to be situated to the west, north and east of the house, but never to the south, south-west and south-east (v. 33, 34). 3. The IIIrd chapter, (v.35-44) containing the instructions and rules on ascertaining of soil (bhuminirupana), classifies land into three types viz. Jangala (barren), anupa (wrist) and samanya (ordinary) (v.35). It mentions six types of land on the basis of their colour i.e. black, white, pale, dark, red and yellow, and six types in the basis of their tastes i.e. sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent (v.36). Lands with poisonous elements, stones, anthills, gravels, no water sources are unfit for growing trees. The author recommends the sadharana land which is bluish, soft, white, yellow are fit for plantation (v.37, 38). Arid and marshy land is not

71 good for plantation. Ordinary land is good for growing all kinds of trees (v.40). It also mentions three lists of specific plants that generally grow on the three type of land (v. 41, 43). In concluding lines of the chapter it states that if wealth, destiny and the king are favorable any tree can grow anywhere with special effort (v.44). 4. Chapter IVth is about propagation of seeds (bijotpattividhi). Surapala has stated that there are four types of plants i.e. vanaspati, druma, lata and gulma. Plants that bear fruits without blossoming are called vanaspati, plants that bear fruits along with flowers are called drumas, plants that spread over with tendrils are called lata and that with very short but having branches are called gulma (v. 45,46,47). The Author describes here three methods for the propagation of plants i.e. by seeds (bija), by (scion) kanda and by kanda (bulbous root). Plants that grow from seeds are jambu, bilva, panasa, kapittha etc., grow from stalks are tagara, betel (tambuli), sinduvara etc., plants that grow from seeds as well as from stalks are patala, dadimi, vata, mallika, kunda, udumbara etc., plants witch grow from bulbs are kunkuma, ardra, alu and kanda, rasona etc. plants that grow from seeds as well as from bulbs are Ila, padma, utpala, etc. (v.48-51). He advises to extract seeds from ripen fruits in the proper season and to get it dried duly. He mentions

72 four different methods of treating the seeds i.e. by besmearing, sprinkling, and fumigating in different combinations of vidanga, brhati, sesamum (tila), nala, milk, ghee, honey, cow dung and fat of animals (v. 52-55). Special treatment has been recommended for the seeds of mango, jambu, panasa ksirika, bakula, and ervaru (v. 56-57). The writer gives much importance to the sowing of seeds. He requires the owner of the firm to perform religious rites before sowing seeds. The owner should worship God, offer salutation to his preceptors, offer prayer to vastu deity and he is to sow seeds followed later by his attendants (v.59). After sowing the seeds it should be covered with grass and sprinkled with water mixed with milk. When the seeds are sprouted, then grasses are to be removed and the field should be allowed to dry. The author has mentioned days like Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday which are held good days, the full moon day, the first day of the bright fortnight, the 5th or the 13th day are auspicious days for sowing seeds. He also stated visakha, mrgasirsa, mula, citra, uttara, anuradha, rohini, jyestha, krttika are good stars for sowing seeds (v.61, 62). 5. The Vth chapter (v. 63-96) deals with methods of plantation of trees (vapanavidhi). Surapala mentions the requirement of a proper

73 field to be selected, in which heaps of flowers, sesamum, masa and others, to be scattered throughout, are ploughed to serve as fertilizing elements (v.63). According to him a distance of twenty, sixteen and fourteen cubits (hastas) between two trees are held excellent, mediocre and inferior, and he further advises to carefully observe a distance of five or four cubits distance to be maintained between 'gulmas' and two or three cubits between 'puga' etc. If the distance is greater, there is danger of strong winds, where as a lesser distance causes no yield. So, correct distance should be maintained between trees for their proper growth (v. 64-66). For plantation of trees, pits should be prepared well in advance measuring one cubit in all sides. They should be dried properly, filled with bones of cows and crow dung, it is to be burnt, when the fire cools down, ashes are to be removed, and the good earth should be filled with and sprinkled with kunapa water (v.67, 68). The author recommends both sowing and planting of mango, pomegranate, pumpkin-gourd and alambuka. The seeds of trapusa and the vegetables (saka) are to be sown in a field with good soil. Maruvaka, damanaka and kunkuma are to be sown in a wet field. Big seeds are to be planted in single whereas, small seeds in plenty at a time (v.72). The seed of phanijjaka and the like mixed with earth

74 are to be sown being sprinkled with water mixed with cow dung (v.73). For paddy cultivation, the author advises, a rope made of sasti-rice, smeared with naturally ripe banana and dried well by sun-rays, to be placed in a pit and covered; it is to be sprinkled with little water regularly, for many days (v.74-75). For the stalks of satapatrika, dadima and karavira the author has mentioned separate plantation methods (v.76-80). According to Surapala all bulbous roots (kanda) are to be planted in a pit, measuring one cubit on all sides and filled with good soil mixed with smooth sand. 'Kadali' should be planted after smearing the root with cow dung. It should be planted in a pit, pouring plenty of water in it (v.81, 82). Small trees should be transplanted by day time at the proper directions, when they are one cubit high. The roots should be smeared with honey, lotusfiber, ghee and vidanga. For transplanting big plants, their roots are to be warped in a mat in the evening and next day in the afternoon a mantra is to be recited (v.83-84). The mantra reads as, "Oh tree, I shall take you to a better place from here and shall water you in such a way that you shall be satisfied. You will grow there and shall have no fear from lightening etc. I shall look after you like a dear son." (v. 85- 86).

75 " Surapala mentions specific trees which are to be planted in different months- Sravana- ksirika, cuta, dadimi, bakula etc. Bhadraba- rajakosa, amra, lakuca etc. Asvina- Golla, Vartaka(brinjal) etc. Kartika- Phanijjaka, satapatrika, dhanyaka, mulaka (radish) etc. Phalguna & Caitra - karkaruka, patola etc. Vaisakha- Kadali. Any tree as desired can be planted in the month of asadha, margasira and pausa. But, magha (winter i.e. the coolest period) are stated to be bad for plantation. A wise person should plant bhillota in all directions, as it protects plants from diseases. The trees of asoka, phalini, punnaga, sirisa, and nimba must be planted first as they are auspicious and also prevents diseases and calamities. Karamarda and bamboo are considered auspicious in the east, paravata in the south, badari and kapittha in the north, and dhatri in the west. Plants with fibrous roots are to be planted along with those of other groups, by providing due interval, so that their leaves not to touch each other (v.87-93). He recommends plantation of trees in a garden in the artistic formation of a mandapa, nandyavarta, svastika, caturasra, sarvatobhadra, vithi, nikunja or punjaka. The fruit yielding and

76 flower yielding trees should be at the centre and other trees around them. Trees are to be protected with a hedge, surrounded by a ditch (v.94, 95). He advises us to acquire more knowledge about plants and grow all the special verities of trees. As trees alone on the earth give happiness both here and hereafter and can save us from poverty. Trees should be carefully nurtured as through their shade, flowers and fruits they help immensely in the pursuit of dharma, artha and kama. So, they must be protected from mist, storm, smoke, fire and spider. An expert should treat the plant by coating with sesame oil cake and vidanga (the insecticide) by sprinkling with the mixture of milk, water and liquid fertilizer (kunapa water) and by smoking with ghee. So, a man should treat plants as his own progeny and thus pleases Brhaspati, and wash his own sins (v.96- 100). 6. The VIth chapter deals with carcass water (Kunapajalam) (v. 97- 106) as growth regulator of plants. He has mentioned the procedure of its preparation as stated by the ancient sages after verifying the same. Surapala defines 'Kunapa' as the stool, fat, flesh, morrow of the bones, brain and blood of a bore mixed with water and stored underground for a fortnight (v.101). These should

77 be boiled after mixing with water, and the mixture should be stored in an oiled pot after adding sufficient quantity of husk. After roasting it in an iron pot, sesame oil cake, honey and a good quantity of soaked black gram should be added. A little ghee then should be poured to it. The preparation should be conducted by a competent person. The kunapa so prepared is highly nourishing for the trees (v.103-106). 7. The VIIth chapter (V.107-164) covered upon the nourishment of plants (posana). For the growth of young saplings the author recommends a small quantity of fish, flesh and sesamum cooked together and should be given every seventh day. Young trees are to be protected from the heat of sun (v.107-108) For the newly planted trees in arid land he recommends watering in every morning and evening for a period of 15 days, in marshy land watering should be restricted to only once in five days, in ordinary soil, watering should be done for ten days every morning and evening with small quantity of water, well roots planted should be watered every alternate day in winter, every evening in spring and thrice a day in summer (v.109-111). Grasses and weeds that grow near the plants are to be cleaned immediately and thus to be dug out from near the plants (V.115). In rainy and autumn season when the soil becomes dry,

78 water the plants with the juice of medicinal plants mixed with urine, marrow and milk (V-112). For trees to produce flower and fruits in abundance, water with flesh, kunapajala and excreta of animals (v 113-114). Later, the text lays down two more decoctions for watering; a. The fat of deer and hog, honey, ghee and the juice extracted from the leaves of Nicula (v.118). b. The fat of python and Dhammina for watering creepers (v.120). The text prescribes, two combinations for fumigation: (a) flower of sidhartha and partha (Arjuna tree) the flesh of hare, vidanga and red turmeric (b) plantain leaves, white mustard seed and safari fish. By this treatment of smoking the trees give beautiful fruits and flowers (v.116-117). Here several methods have been recommended for protecting plants and their nourishment. These include besmearing, watering, sprinkling and fumigation. Different object are also mixed with kunapajal, fish, flesh and fat, safari fish, earthworms python and dhammina snake, frogs, tortoise, fat of Ajagara snake, flesh of elephant, deer, fox, rabbit, jackal, pig, boar, mouse. The other objects are vidanga, ghee, honey, yastimadhuka, milk, ash, rice water, white mustard powder. Sesamme, oil cakes, triphala,

79 decoction of horse gram, cow dung, cattle dung, black gram (masa), raw sugar, barley, liquor, turmeric powder, bones of hog and cow, curd, ankola, jiggery, neem leaves, sugar, husk, straw, salt, vajra (grass) ashes and molasses and excrete of cocks etc. He has also mentioned, creepers bear fruits and flowers if pierced with a sharp instrument and smoked with the fat of safari (tiny, shining fish) sprinkled with the marrow of a hog and mouse (v.121). 'Surapala' lays down specific proscriptions for mango, coconut and pomegranate trees. If mangos trees are treated with water mixed with ripen fruits of ankola, ghee, honey and marrow of a boar it will yield sweeter and bigger fruits (V.123). Trees of coconut type i.e. palm, betel nut an date bear fruits it water by decoction of the flesh of a cow, hog, tortoise, manure powder of safari fish and sesamum (v.124). Coconut trees always produce fruits as big as pots if treated with soup of black gram, salt water, powder of barley, husk water in abundant quantity (v .126). Pomegranate trees produce fruits with bigger, sweeter and juicier seeds if profusely watered with milk of buffalo, flesh of cat, deer, elephant and boar and plenty of marrow, crystalline sugar and smoked with the powder of triphala and ghee (v.128, 129, 130).

80 Similarly, the verses of the chapter particularly deals with the nourishment of specific trees, viz. dates, kamala and lakuca verse. 127, Verse 133 on jack fruit, Verse 134 for bilva, Verse 135 for karkandhuka, lakuca, badari, dhatri and jambu, Verse 137 for kapittha and bilva, Verse 138 plantain, Verse 139 for tinduka and paravata, Verse 140 matulungi, Verse 141 vijapuraka and orange, Verse 142 orange and bilva, Verse 143 madhuka, etc. For flower plants of syama, kadamba, sauvira and kari kesaraka, Surapala recommends nourishing with sour gruel, curd, cola, sesame mixed with wine, milk and kunapa water (v. 144). For flower trees in general blossom profusely when water with the decoction of tendered leaves of jantu, kusa, mustha mixed with country liquor (v. 145). For ketaki he prescribes, if water well with the fragrant things like cardamom and feed with decoction of flesh, it blossom's richly (v.146). Surapala records recipes for the efflorescence of some plants which were current in literary conventions. Bakula tree blossoms well when sprinkled with mouthful of wine by a beautiful young lady, makanda (mango) trees gets horrification in the form of buds when it is scratched by a beautiful woman with the tips of her nails, asoka tree yields rich blossom when kicked by a beautiful lady

81 gently, gracefully with her lotus like feet, kurubaka and tilaka tree yield with rich blossom when embraced all around by a charming lady with her graceful creeper like arms adorned with dangling bracelet, the syama creeper blossoms when wedded to the nearby tree after being decorated like a bride (v.147-151). Madhavi, karavira and kuranta bear rich blossoms, when religiously sprinkled with wine at the time of sunset (v .152) and mallika produces abundant flowers when slightly fomented with the shaking flames of hayfire. The text of "Surapala" adds some prescriptions for watering mixed with various other components viz. Patala with milk and cold water, cotton plant with the flesh of fish, jasmine (yuthi) with milk, sesame and dry cow dung, sephalika with rich flesh and fish flesh (v.153-154). He also prescribes nourishment for vegetable plants the type of alambu (pumpkin) karkaru, trapusa and other similar plants which are to be smoked in summer with the bones of hog. Alambuka bear many fruits in short period if watered with stale rice water (v.155-156). Patola to bear fruits in the month of caitra is to be fumigated with straw fire in phalguna and sprinkled with oil-cakes with water (v.157).

82 To eliminate the ill-effects of frost, trees should be provided with the warmth by dusting fire ashes tied in a piece of cloth and save the plants from hail shower, sprinkled all over the farm cooked rice mixed with curd (v.158-159). For preventing from the harmful impacts of warms, insects, rats etc. Surapala mentioned incantations of a mantra to be written on a leaf, recited and buried under the ground (v.160-163). The details of the mantra discussed in last chapter. 8. The VIIIth chapter deals with ailments of plants (V-165-183) (rogajnana) which is very original and interesting. According to Surapala there are two types of plant diseases i.e. Internal and External. Internal diseases are caused by vata, pitta and kapha, external diseases are caused by insects, cold weather, excessive growth of creepers etc. (v.165-166). Diseases caused by (wind disorder) vata are due to the land that becomes arid, on account of excessive supply of dry and pungent matters. These vata type diseases are indicated by thinness, crookedness of trunk, appearance of knots on the trunk or leaves, the fruits being hard, with less juice and less sweetness (v. 167-168). The disorders of kapha (phlegm) type occur in winter and spring, if the trees are excessively watered with materials which are sweet,

83 oily, sour or cold. These diseases are indicated by delayed fruity frication, paleness, dwarfing of leaves, tasteless and prematurity of fruits, arrested growth of trees and lack of juice in the fruits (v. 169- 170). The disorder of pile (pitta) is caused by excessive nourishment of bitter, sour, saltiest and pungent substances. The : diseases occur at the end of summer or end of rains, which are indicated by yellowness of leaves, falling of fruits out of season, dryness, and paleness of leaves, flowers, fruits and complete decay of leaves (v. 171-172). The text records the effects of excessive heat and the roots are eaten away by insects and result in dying, yellowness and excessive paleness of leaves (v. 173). An excessive stormy wind causes stress and result in breaking, uprooting and twisting of the trees. The break is of two types - One when the branches remain attached and the other when they fall off. Sometimes, trees dry up due to the exposure to fire or lightening as well as due to the aridity of the soil and absence of water. The trees are wounded when struck with an axe etc., and which results dryness of all types of trees. (v. 174-176)

84 Surapala states that due to the imbalance of kapha elements the trees ooze out even without wounds. If wrong treatment is given, vata type diseases also results. The imbalance of these elements viz. vata, pitta and kapha enhance the disease of jaundice (yellowing). Trees affected by that disease have their trunks, fruits and leaves turn yellow. Jaundice cause due to faulty seed, lack of treatment and wrong treatment, and renders all the trees unproductive (v.179 - 180). The author here mentions several general causes responsible for the destruction of trees, these are fire, wind, friction with other trees, constant existence in shade, inhabitation by too many birds, excessive growth of creepers, growth of weeds nearby, attack by ants, all these destroys the trees (v.181- 183). The text describes the proper diagnosis and treatment of trees. 9. The IXth chapter (V. 185 to 222) deals with the treatment of disease of plants (cikitsa). Surapala has systematically prescribed the treatment of all the diseases and disorders analyzed in the previous chapter. For curing the disorders of wind (vata) Surapala recommends: 1) watering of flesh, marrow and ghee, 2) liberal fumigation of hog fat oil of porpoise with soap berry, cows horn,

85 horse hair, ghee, 3) digging out the earth near the roots and placing fresh dry earth there, 4) sprinkling of kunapa water (v. 185 - 186). For the disorders of phlegm (kapha) type, he prescribes a mixture consists of bitter, strong an astringent decoction made out of pancamula with fragrant water. All kapha diseases can be cured by the paste of white mustard at the roots and the tree should be watered with a mixture of sesame and ashes. The earth around the kapha diseased trees should be removed and fresh dry earth should be replaced (v. 187, 188, and 189). Trees affected by pitta (bile) can be cured by cool and sweet substances and watering with the decoction of milk, honey, yastimadhu and madhuka. Pitta can also be cured when water with decoction of fruits of triphala, ghee and honey (v. 190 to 192). The writer prescribes treatment for trees affected by insects which are to be (a) water the trees with cold water for seven days (v. 193), (b) for creepers sprinkle with water mixed with oil cake (v. 197), insects on leaves can be destroyed by sprinkling the powder of ashes and brick dust, (c) a wound caused by insects heals if sprinkled with milk, after being anointed with a mixture of vidanga, sesame, cows urine, ghee and mustard (v. 198- 199). He prescribe treatments for worms by smoking the tree with the mixture of white mustard ramatha, vidanga, vaca, usana (black

86 pepper), and water mixed with beef, horn of buffalo, flesh of pigeon and the powder of bhillota (v. 195). He has prescribed a common treatment both for insects and worms that anointing with vidanga mixed with ghee, watering for seven days with salt water and applying ointment made out of beef, white mustard and sesame (v. 196). The text describes for the treatment for trees affected by frost or excessive heat (v.199), about the method of joining the broken branches of trees (v. 200201), healing measures for the branches which fall off from a particular spot (v. 203). Further, if the branches were burnt, amounts to cut off and treated there upon to put forth fresh sprout (v.204). About the treatment for the trees being scorched with fire, for trees put forth with healthy sprouts, treatment for thus which are dried up with heat caused by fire, if dried due to bad soil, if dried due to lack of water (v. 205-209). The oozing of trees can be cured by anointing with the paste of the bark of nyagrodha, udumbara, cow dung, honey and ghee and by covering the parts with the barks of dhava, sriparnika, syama, vetasa and arjuna (v. 210 - 211). Disease caused by wrong treatment can be cured by sprinkling the mixture of milk, water and applying the paste of vidanga with thick mud (v. 212). Jaundice of the plants is cured in

87 one week by irrigating with barley powder, wheat, honey, milk and water (v. 213). In case of tender plants suffering from water logging, the roots are to be scratched with finger nails, uprooted and every root should be smeared with the mixture of honey and vidanga and then should be watered (v. 219). For treating barren trees Surapala recommends watering with milk and kunapa water and nourishing with the cool decoction of sesame, barley, kulattha, masa and green gram (v. 214- 215). Trees produce fruits if watered with thick mixture of the flesh of tiger, leopard, and fox and with the milk of elephant and buffalo. The trees put forth flowers and fruits if fed with sesame, dung of goat, barley, and beef mixed with water in the prescribed quantity (v. 218, 216, 217). Vegetables of cucumber type get cured of disease when smoked with cow bones, bones of dog and excreta of cat (v. 220). Surapala advices that, saplings are not to be exposed to excessive smoking and smearing. Plants which are not cured by any one of the above stated remedies should be transplanted at other special sites (v. 221-222). 10. Chapter Xth (verses 223 to 292) deals with the botanical marvels (vicitra) or horticultural wonders, i.e. special processes with reference to the plants are described in this chapter. The

88 prescriptions laid down in this chapter, are experimented successfully by the author repeatedly before noting down in the text. Surapala describes the bounty of botanical marvels through the different verses so scripted in this chapter. He describes about the all time flowering and fruit bearing trees out of season creation of fragrant flowers, fruits with different tests, change of colour the change of flower, change of fragrance, retention of fragrance, and effloresce of creepers etc. (v. 223-224). He describes the transformation of trees in to creepers, dwarfing of trees, mixing of variety, immediate fructification, bearing of big fruit from birth, bearing of fruits without female parts in a flower (v. 225-226). Further, trees producing lovely flowers and fruits round the year (v. 227-228). Trees producing beautiful flower and fruits out of season (v. 229). Same as v.129 but with a must result undoubtedly is reflected in v. 230-231. The text details an ordinary mango tree bearing a wealth of mango (v. 232). For tress getting attractive and strong fragrance (v. 233), kusmanda, vartaka, patolaka, etc. produced from healthy seeds upon nourishment produces seedless fruits (v.234). However, the text also describes for the trees producing long lasting fruits, trees producing fruits sweet like nectar, about the colour changing aspects of flowers, producing fruits resembling collyrium, bearing

89 of red fruits, trees bearing fruits having the shades of a parrot, trees producing fruits of golden colour, changing of fragrance of a blossom, flowering plants producing plants producing excellent fragrance, intensifying the natural fragrance of the blossom of punnaga, naga, bakula, etc. (v. 235-250). The chapter provides description of saplings growing into an assemblage of creepers, about tintidika turning into creepers, the seed of kapittha growing into a tree, etc. (v. 252-258). There is description about a sprout appearing at the root of a tree, without a place of origin (viyoni) (v. 259-260); a dwarf tree bearing blossoms, fruits, etc. (v. 261-263), about a sapling which grows into dwarf (v.264), producing different verities of lotus (v. 256), wonders on various species of pomegranate (v. 266). The chapter also mentions about certain restricting wonders even as the ripening of fruits of a tree can be delayed by one year, stopped, etc. (v. 267-269). Plantain tree bearing big fruits, large like the tusk of an elephant or a pestle (v. 270- 272), destruction of coconut, cotton, plantain, kusmanda, eravaruka and other plants (v. 271-275); about a seed sprouting very soon (V. 277-279,281), pomegranate tree bearing fruits as big as coconut (V. 283), mulaka sprouting soon (V. 284), trapusa (cucumber) bearing fruits similar in size to those of kusumanda (ash ground) (v. 285 - 286), ash ground and seed of neem tree dropped in through a

90 hole produces ample wealth in the form of vartaka (brinjal) of huge size (v. 287 - 288), utpala growing into a karavira and into a forest of padma (v. 289 - 290), the seeds of slesmataka turning into a plant of kumuda (v. 291 - 292). Not only Surapala, but also Chakrapani Mishra and Varahamihira deal this subject in Visvaballabha and Brhatsamhita. In the text of Upavanabinoda of Sarangadhara, we find some about botanical marvels equal to Surapala and some new verses which do not occur in the text of Surapala. 11. The XIth chapter of the text deals with (Verses 293 - 300) "Upavanaprakriya' (Lying out of a garden). The author Surapala has mentioned about the importance of pleasure garden for a king to enjoy his life (v. 1- 2). The garden provides happiness to the people and gives immense pleasure to the minds of wanton women proud of their charm and longevity for enjoyment. Surapala requires the garden houses should be protected from sun surrounded by trees of dense leaves and covered with creepers of 'Atimuktaka' and honey bees hovering over them and flowers Strawn all over by breeze (V. 293). In the garden, there must be a water reservoir, i.e. (puskarini), where trees planted on the boarders (v. 294). There should be facilities for pleasure boating and

91 flowering trees around it. The beauty of the lotus flowers, leaves, blue lotus (utpala) and the reflection of moon rays in the clear water of the pond attracts everyone kings palace (v. 295, 296). In the middle of the garden an abode and at places mandapas are to be planned (v. 297). A kupa (well) is to be constructed with stones useful for sprinkling all the trees (v. 298). If the water of the kupa becomes turbid, bitter, tasteless, salty or foul smelling, a powder anjana, musta, usira, naga, kosataka and amalaka along with fruits of kataka should be put in the well for purification of water. After application of these things the water becomes clear, testy and fragrant by the above treatment (v. 299- 300). 12. Chapter XIIth (Verses 301 - 319) deals with the examination of land for digging wells for the purpose of irrigation (kupartham bhumipariksa). Several surface indications of ground water having clearly described in the text literature of Surapala. Some of the verses are taken from Brhat samhita of Varahamihira. Surapala says that while planning a well, the veins of water running underneath the earth are to be ascertained (v. 301). These are to be noticed in the presence of ant hills near trees of vetasa, jambu, nirgundi, badari, vibhitaka, and kovidara. The depth, at which water is to be expected, is mentioned. When digging the earth, the

92 indications are to be noted in the form of the nature of clay, gravel stone, frog and other aquatic animals (v. 302 - 316). If a frog is found amidst several trees then below it the depth of four and half man height at the distance of one hand there will be water (v. 317). If the soil contains maunjika, kasa and kusa and is blue in colour and has gravels, the water in ample quantity and of sweet taste also if the soil is black or red, water is sweet and abundant (v. 318). The soil being copper colour, red brown, pale white or blue, the water underneath is respectively astringent, caustic, salty and sweet. After finding the sources of ground water, wells, tanks, and cannels are to be built for supply of water to the plants gardens and firms. Chapter XIIIth (Verse 320 to 324) deals with the use of plants in different social factors would help us to understand plant-menenvironment relationship for better social life. Surapala has noted that growth of certain plants, flowers and fruits indicate beforehand for crop production, animal production, water availability and other social conditions. The growth of nyagrodha (banyan tree) indicates the growth of yava (barley), the growth of sinduka indicates the growth sestika (rice) and the growth of asvattha indicates the growth of all crops (v. 320). Surapala states that the land where jambu tree grows, the land is favorable for the growth of black gram and sesame, where sirisa tree grows that land is favorable for 13.

93 green gram, madhuka is favorable for wheat and saptaparni is favorable for barley (v. 321). Again, he notes that the growth of hastikamna indicates the abundance of elephants, asvakarna of horses, patala of cows and plantain of goats and sheep (v. 322). The author has also collected folklore on tree species which were considered as indicators of life situations. If mango should prosper indicates welfare in the country, if bhallataka thrives, there will be fear in the land, if pilu (palm tree) thrives, there will be good health in the land, if khadira and sami thrives, there will be famine in the land if arjuna thrives, there will be pleasing rains in the country (v. 323). Again, he adds that the abundance of the flower of picumanda (nimba) and nagakesara causes famine, kapittha causes storms and cry of hunger, if nicula bears blossoms, there will be fear of draught or epidemic in the law (v. 324). The same things are also written in the Brhat samhita in chapter 29, along with some portents connected with trees. Thus, ends the 13th chapter of Surapala. But the last verse no.325 of Vrikshayurveda of Surapala states that he is the (court physician antaranga) intimate friend of king, the valiant Bhimapala. He is an eminent physician and composed this text of Ayurveda of tree (science for the treatment of plants), out of interest and after mastering various skills of the profession.

94 This is all about the text, Vrksayurveda of Surapala