2. Religious Importance of Auspicious and Inauspicious Plants

According to our religious tradition and Vastusastra some plants are auspicious and some are inauspicious. For the well being of human being and to enjoy the positive energy, the Vrikshayurveda (Ch. II, nivasa sanna taru subha subhalaksanani) of Surapala deals with the auspicious and inauspicious signs of trees planted near the house. Trees are considered auspicious and inauspicious according to the direction in which they are planted. Surapala prohibits the planting of trees in front of the house, because the shade of the trees should not fall on the house." 92 sarvasam vrksajatinam chaya varjya grhe sada/ api souvarnikam vrksm grha dvare na ropayet// 91 Bhagabat Gita, Ch. IX, V. 26 92 Gopal Lallanji, Vrksayurveda in ancient India, Ch.2, V. 28 (Vrikshayurveda,Ch.2, V. 28, ).

181 The description of the inauspicious effects of a tree or a temples shade falling on the dwelling house during the mid-noon and afternoon hours is also prohibited in Mandana viracita 93 Rajavallabha Vastu sastra.⁹³ yamadurdhvamasesavrksasurajacachaya na sasta grhe// (rajavallabha, Ch.1, v.28, p.186) Big trees should never be planted near the windows of a house. It should be cut or pruned heavily. Trees planted close to the building, cause damage to the house due to spread of roots over a period of time. So, beautiful, elegant and attractive trees should be planted. Trees which give a frightening look should not be planted. One should avoid near the house thorny plants, trees oozing milk, bearing wild fruits or having hard wood. Thorny plants in the vicinity cause danger from enemies, plants oozing milk cause loss of health, plants bearing wild fruits cause loss of intelligence and one should avoid hard wood trees. It is better to avoid fruit bearing trees near the house, as they cause loss of progeny, even their wood should be avoided in the construction of the house." 94 93 Jugnu sri krsna, Rajavallabha Vastu sastram, Ch.1, v.28, p.186 94 Gopal Lallanji, Vrksayurveda in ancient India, Ch. II, V:31

182 asannah kantakino ripubhayadah ksirinoarthanasaya/ phalinah prajnaksayada darunyapi varjanam cestam// (Vrikshayurveda, Ch. II, V.31) The same description also described in Rajavallabha vastu 96 sastra, Brhatsamhita of varahmihira, "Brhad vastu mala 97 and in visnudharmottara purana". sadugdhavrksa dravinasya nasm kurvanti te kantakinoaribhitim/ prajavinasm phalinah samipe grhasya varjyah kaladhautapuspah// (Rajavallabha, Ch.1, v.29, p.187) According to Surapala, a person planting nili and haridra (turmeric) near the house will always meet with loss of progeny and prosperity. Even when these sprout out of their own (naturally), they should be uprooted by the wise man. 99 nilim haridram ca narah sadoptva putreirdhaneisca ksayamabhyupeta/ etastu sarvah svayameva jatascachindyad rsinam vacanad vidhijnah// (Vrikshayurveda,Ch. II, V. 32,) According to Surapala, a king or a person should plant a garden to the west, north or east of the palace or residence, as they are the proper directions for planning a garden, and it is auspicious 95 Jugnu sri krsna, Rajavallabha Vastu sastram, Ch.1, v.29, p.187 96 Jugnu sri krsna, Edit. ,,Brhat samhita, part-II, Ch.53,v.86, p.55 97 Tripathi Brahmananda, Brhadvastumala, vv.13-14, p.114 98 Shah Priyabala, Tr., Sri visnudharmottara purana, Khanda-II, Ch.30, v. 2, p.70. 99 Gopal Lallanji, Vrksayurveda in ancient India, Ch. II, V.32

183 and sign of progress, prosperity and he is rewarded with progeny. 100 But one should not plant a garden to the South, South west or northeast of the house as it leads to quarrels, distress and adversity. 101 Similarly, proper arrangement of trees near houses gives good results according to the directions they are planted. All wishes get fulfill if nyagrodha is planted to the east of the house and udumbara to the south, pippala to the west are 102 auspicious. The same thing also in in Brhatsamhita of Varahamihira and in Brhadvastumala.103 yamyadisvasubhaphala jatastaravah pradaksinenaite/ udgadisu prasastah plaksavatodumbarasvattha// (Brhadvastumala, v.12, p. 114) Surapala prohibits the planting of certain trees, eranda, arjuna, karanja, kanchanara and slesmataka trees are to be avoided to be planted near the house of a happy man. 104 Similarly 100 Sadhale Nalini,Tr., vrksauyrveda, v.34,p.45 101 Ibid, v.33,p. 45 102 Jugnu sri krsna, vrksauyrveda, V.24 103 Jugnu sri krsna, Edit.,Brhat samhita, part-II, Ch.53,v.85, p.55; Tripathi Brahmananda, Brhadvastumala, v.12, p.114 104. Vrk,Ch. II, V. 30-

184 in Visnudharmottara-purana salmali, kovidara, vibhitaka, asana, devadaru, palasa and puskara not planted near the house or garden. 105 The house does not grow prosperously where badari, kadali, dadimi and bijapuraka are grown. 106 Trees are the resting place of Gods, demons, gandharvas, ghosts, snakes, raksasas, beasts, birds, small creatures and human beings also. 107 So, it is advised not to plant big trees near the house.