Sambodhi 2018 Vol 41

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 52

Vol. XLI, 2018
Plant Propagation as described In Sanskrit Texts
43
in three ways. They are Jāngala (Arid), Anūpa (Marshy) and Sāmānya (Ordinary)
जाङ्गला अनूपसामान्यस्वभावापि च मेदिनी ।15 i.e. Arid, marshy, and ordinary are the three types of land.
Caraka Samhitā and Suśruta Samhitā have given detailed information regarding this classification. According to Suceruta Samhitā the Anūpa deśa is that locality where water is in abundance, the ground is depressed as well as raised, rivers and rains are in plenty and hence the country is dense, where the wind is mild and cold, mountains and trees are numerous and big, where people have got soft, delicate and muscular body build and where Kapha and Vāta diseases are common. Jāngala deśa is that locality where the ground seems to be level like sky, where trees usually are thorny and few and far between, where the rains, fountains and wells have less water usually, where the winds are hot and turbulent, the mountains are sparse and low, people have usually got firm and thin body build and Vāta and Pitta diseases are common. Sādhārana deśa is that where the features of both are found. The locality is called so because cold, rains, temperature and winds at that place are moderate and dosas of persons are at equilibrium. 16
According to Vrksāyurveda of Parāśara, the tract in arid land is almost like a desert with scanty vegetation and limited water resources. The soil is sodic with abundance of gravel and sand -
स्वल्पद्रुमो जाङ्गलश्च स्वल्पोदकमरुप्रायः । ऊषवन्तं शर्रिलः सिकतिलस्तथैव च ॥7
Because of extremely dry conditions of the soil and natural arid environment, the elements of fire, air and earth prevailing in the biosphere result in producing plants containing astringent, pungent and bitter.18
Due to the moist nature of the marshy soil and the influence of elements of water and earth as well as inherent soothing effect of the water-herbs, creepers and annuals flourishing in the area generally bear sap that tastes sweet or sour.19
The soil of ordinary land is neither too dry nor too moist; neither it has an abundance of rock particles and sand. The land is fertile sustaining all kinds of trees, shrubs and crops.20