Plants in Yajurveda (An Old and Rare Book)

$32
Item Code: NAJ212
Publisher: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Tirupati
Author: Dr. S. Sudarsana Sarma
Language: English
Edition: 1989
Pages: 300
Cover: Paperback
Other Details 8.5 inch X 5 inch
Weight 230 gm
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Book Description

Foreword

 

I have great pleasure in introducing Dr. Sannidhanam Sudarsana Sarma the author of Plants in Yajurveda, a promising young Vedic Scholar from Andhra “Andhra Pradesh is well known for its Vedic Studies throughout history. The tradition of the Vedic texts especially of the Yajurveda of the Taittiriya Sakha is perfectly preserved here” Scholars like Sri Vuppuluri Ganapathi Sastri Sri Sannidhanarn Lakshminarayana Murthythe illustrious father of the author and Sri Remella. Suryaprakasa Sastri have been beacon lights that gave guidance and direction to many a Vedic scholar of the present times. They are not only good at recitation but also proficient in the exposition of the Vedas in the light of Sayana” bhasya. They have preserved and dissiminated a live tradition of Vedic studies that has stood the test of time.

 

Coming in the line Dr. Sudarsana Sarma has imbibed the good traditional learning and studied Sanskrit literature also in the Oriental Colleges. He then took up research in Vedas on my suggestion and has successfully mastered the techniques of modern Vedic scholarship. With this background he produced a commendable thesis on plants “in Yajurveda. He has in this connection consulted the allied literature in Sanskrit and English as also those in Hindi.

 

Plants and their products are severally used in rituals and for secular purposes in the Vedic times. They are referred to in the Yajurveda. The stages of development of their medicinal use emerging from the magical and ritualistic overtones are clearly shown. They are compared with scientific and practical references in Ayurvedic treatises. Wherever possible the Botanical names are provided. The thesis is thus valuable from the points of view of history of religion and history of medicine and civil engineering.

 

The thesis is also profusely documented. I trust that be will continue these studies·with greater vigour and commitment and contribute valuable work in the field. I am sure that this will receive good appreciation from scholars deservedly.

 

Preface

 

The performance of Vedic ritual requires, to a great extent, the utilization of the plants and their products. In order to unearth the Vedic knowledge pertaining to the utilization and significance of the plants and their products, an attempt is made in this work.

 

The names of the plants mentioned in the Taittiriya literature are arranged in alphabetical order and presented along with the material collected mainly from Taittiriya and also other texts in the main body which consists of six chapters viz., Introduction Ritualistic Significance Magical Significance Medicinal Significance secuar Significance and Conclusion. The first chapter supplies the introductory notes. The second chapter deals with the ritualistic significance of the plants and implements made out of them. The third and fourth chapters deal with the magical and medicinal significances respectively. In the fifth Chapter, the secular use of the plants as can be gleaned from the Yajurveda is given. In the last one the findings regarding the utility and significance of the plants in .the Yajurveda are summed up.

 

Even a cursory study of the details of the plant Soma, shows that it can form a thesis itself. Besides, many attempts were already made in regard of Soma. As such, no special attempt is made for the description of Soma while presenting the same. The botanical names of the plants as far as available are given along with their Sanskrit names in the second chapter. These are not repeated in the consecutive chapters. The legends connected with the origin of the plants are also given in this chapter. To avoid confusion the Mantras and other relevant texts are given in the references at the end of each chapter. A list of abbreviations is provided and a glossary is also appended to this work. In this work it may be noted that the Vajasaneya Samhita and Satapatha Brahmana refer to the Madhyandina recension and the Atharva Veda to that of Saunaka. In view of the present trend of the Vedic research and readability this work is presented in English.

 

I take this opportunity to place on record my deep sense of gratitude to Prof. P Sritama Murthy Professor of Sanskrit. Andhra University Visakhapatnam who pointed Gut new vistas of knowledge in the field or Vedas and guided me throughout the progress of this work with interest and affection and above all but for whose suggestion, I would not have undertaken the Vedic research.

 

I express my immeasurable gratitude to my father, “Sangasvadhyayabhaskara”, “Mimamsavidya”pravrna” Sri Sannidhanam Lakshminarayana Murthy for not only initiating me in Svasakhadhyayana, study of Angas and Vedabhasya, but also for giving encouragement during the research work.

 

Dealing with a Vedic research topic is strenous but it was successfully completed with the smooth cooperation of my wife Smt. Annapurna She deserves my cordial thanks and appreciation.

 

It is my pleasant duty to thank Prof R.N. Dandekar who suggested the present research problem. My hearty thanks are due to Sri M. Remakrishna Satsry M.A: M Litt; for his help in preparing this work. I am thankful to Prof. S. B. Raghunadhacharya for the kind encouragement given to me. Likewise I thank Dr. P. Subbarayan for his valuable: suggestions. I also thank Sri Satya Sai Printers for printing this book.

 

And, the gap will not be filled up if I do not ex” press my gratitude to “Vaidyacarya” Dr. A. Gururaj kumar BSc.,·M.D. He is equipped with the rare god given gift of mastering both allopathic and Ayurvedic”medicines. His double edged know” ledge led me through the medicinal chapter of this book. I gratefully thank him for his valuable suggestions and affectionate encouragement.

 

Introduction

 

The Vedas are the treasure house of knowledge of the ancient Indians. Describing ancient Indian religious activity they contain several details about the nature of humans animals plants and inanimate objects. The Rgveda mentions the origin of the Osadhis and they are also praised as deities. Later the plants are mentioned mostly with reference to the rituals. Incidentally their magical medicinal and secular utility is described quite often. The Yajurveda the Veda of the Adhvaryu the priest who actually performs the sacrificial ritual contains many such details about the plants. It is now attempted here to cull together the facts regarding the plants that are mentioned in the Taittirrya Sakha of the Yajurveda.

 

Ritual, as such is a religious or solemn ceremony of observance. Rituals have played a significant role in the way of life of the people of ancient India. One can estimate the importance of rituals as Samhitas, Brahmanas, and Aranyakas to some extent the first three divisions of the Veda barring the last one Upanisads, contribute to the field of rituals. The importance of the Vedic ritual is that it is a significant social force in the cultural history of ancient India.

 

One of the important features of Vedic ritual is that it is believed to aim at the progress of both the individual and the society. The sacrifice is not only conducive to happiness here and hereafter and improvement of the sacrificer and the officiating priests but it also, proves to be a powerful means of promoting social solidarity and progress. The main purpose of rituals is to serve the interests and welfare of the people. Though the performance of rituals is confined to certain categories of people the results thus achieved are enjoyed by all. In olden times even powerful kings considered the sages as. harbingers of welfare to the state by their regular performance of Vedic rituals. The same is pointed out by the great poet. “Oh! Sage Vasistha the oblations you offer to the Fire result in rain for the crops withering due to scarcity of water.”

 

History records that rituals like Asvamedha and Rajasuya were being performed by kings to maintain the sovereignty of the State and to establish aristocracy; to wit, the performance of Asva medha by Rama and Rajasuya and Asvamedha by Dharmaraja H. Aguilar observes thus: “It is certain that the Vedic sacrifice had an individual scope, but it had no less a social a national and a universal scope.” In history there was a time when sacrifice had become the very centre of the social and cultural life of the entire community. Indeed the Vedic sacrifice had significantly influenced almost every field of activity. In fact the rituals cannot be differentiated from their way of life because the commencement of rituals is earlier to the birth of a child and they continue to be performed even after death.

 

Contents

 

Introduction (Chapter I)

1-21

References-I

22-24

Ritualistic Significance (Chapter II)

25-107

Anu

25

Apamarga

26

Arka

27

Arjuna

27

Avaka

28

Asanihatavrksa

29

Asvattha

30

Asvavala

33

Adara

34

Amba

35

Aragvadha

35

Iksu

35

Isika

36

Udumbara

36

Urvaruka

44

Karira

45

Karkan-dhu

46

Karsmarya

46

Kasa

47

Kimsuka

47

Kyambu

48

Kvala

49

Khadira

49

Kharjura

51

Khalva

51

Garmut

52

Gavidhuka

53

Gulgulu

54

Godhuma

55

Jartila

56

Ti1a

56

Darbha

58

Durva

64

Nala

65

Nili

65

Nivara

66

Nyagrodha

67

Parna

69

Pakadurva

73

Patha

73

Puskara

74

Putika

76

Putudru

77

Priyangu

78

Plaksa

79

Phalguna

80

Badara

80

Balbaja

81

Bilva

81

Madhuka

82

Masura

82

Masusya

83

Masa

83

Munja

84

Mudga

85

Yava

85

Rajjudala

88

Varana

89

Varsahu

90

Vikankata

90

Vibhidaka

92

Venu

92

Vetasa

94

Vrihi

95

Sami

98

Sara

100

Salmali

100

Simijavari

101

Syamaka

101

Sarsapa

103

Sidhraka

103

Sibala

103

Sugandhitejana

104

Soma

104

References-II

108-146

Magical Significance (Chapter III)

147-184

Apamarga

147

Arjuna

148

Asvattha

149

Isika

155

Udumbara

156

Karira

157

Karsmarya

159

Kim-suka

160

Khadira

161

Kharjura

162

Garmut

162

Gulgulu

163

Darbha

164

Durva

167

Nili

168

Nyagrodha

168

Parna

170

Patha

171

Putudru

172

Plaksa

172

Balbaja

175

Madhuka

173

Munja

174

Yava

174

Varana

175

Varsahu

176

Vikankata

176

Vibhidaka

177

Vrihi

178

S'ami

179

Sara

180

sat-mali

181

S'imijavari

18l

Sarsapa

182

References-III

185-197

Medicinal Significance (Chapter IV)

198-233

Apamarga

198

Arka

199

Arjuna

200

Asvattha

200

Aragvadha

202

Isika

203

Udumbara

204

Urvaruka

205

Karkandhu

206

Kimsuka

207

Kvala

208

Khadira

209

Gulgulu

210

Godhuma

211

Darbha

212

Durva

213

Nili

214

Nivara

215

Nyagrodha

215

Parna

216

Patha

218

Puskara

219

Putika

220

Plaksa

221

Badara

222

Bilva

223

Munja

223

Yava

224

Rajjudala

226

Varana

226

Vikankata

227

Vetasa

228

Vrihi

228

Sami

229

Salmali

230

Syamaka

230

Sibala

231

Sarsapa

232

References-IV

234-246

Secular Significance (Chapter V)

247-251

Abhri

247

Asandi

247

Isu

248

Ulukhala

248

Kata

248

Krudara

249

Talpa

249

Drupada

249

Dvara

249

Dhanus

249

Pracinavamsa

249

Plemkha

250

Mantapa

250

Musala

250

Ratha

250

Rasana

250

Langala

250

vana

251

Sakata

251

Surpa

251

References-v

252-253

Conclusion

254-271

Glossary

272-280

Bibliography

281-286

 

Sample Page

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