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Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study)

by A. Yamuna Devi | 2012 | 77,297 words | ISBN-13: 9788193658048

This page relates ‘Flora (6): Creepers� of the study on the Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (in English) which represents a commentary on the Amarakosha of Amarasimha. These ancient texts belong the Kosha or “lexicography� category of Sanskrit literature which deals with the analysis and meaning of technical words from a variety of subjects, such as cosmology, anatomy, medicine, hygiene. The Amarakosa itself is one of the earliest of such text, dating from the 6th century A.D., while the Amarakoshodghatana is the earliest known commentary on that work.

Flora (6): Creepers

(a) 辱貹ī (II. 4. 98; p. 105)�

[Black pepper:]

ś gives ṛṣṇ�, ܱ貹ܱ, ī, 岵ī, , 첹ṇ�, ṣaṇ�, 辱貹ī, śṇḍī and DZ as synonyms and karipippali, kapivallī, DZī, śⲹī and ś as different varieties of pepper.

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

āha ca cāvikā DZī tu ⲹ� cavanameva ca |
ٲ� 󲹱� Ծ徱ṣṭ�
śⲹī hasti辱貹ī ||

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

ԻԲԻ岹Բ� 峾Բ�
DZ ca
śⲹī gaja辱貹ī |
cavanā DZī tu ⲹ� kuñjara辱貹ī ||

(b) 峾ūī (II. 4. 120; p. 111)�

[Betel leaf:]

It is also called or ṇiī as it is believed to be brought from the nether world�

岵ī phaṇilatā pātālānītatvāt |

(c) ܰ첹 (II. 4. 153; p. 120)�

[Cucumber:]

The humble cucumber gains importance as ṣīr峾 elucidates the much recited mṛtyuñjaya mantra, ṻ岹(VII. 59. 30)�

urvārukamiva bandhanād iti śrute� |

(d) Ѳ (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. ṣīr峾 alludes the name with this feature. Some species of Jasmine when in contact with earth puts forth roots.

ṣīr峾 being a keen observer, perhaps refers to this�

tṛṇaśūle gulme tṛṇaśūlyam | mallyate mūrdhni |

He also quotes Dhanvantari to support his views.

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

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

This quality renders Jasmine the name ś

śerate śephā ālayo'syā ś |

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

󲹻ś 󲹱 岵ī |

Likewise ṇḍ첹 is that which is indigenous of Puṇḍra deśa

ṇḍś 󲹱� ṇḍ첹� |

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

ātikrānto muktān viraktānatimukta� |

Understandably 󲹱ī blossoms in spring�

madhau vasante 󲹱 󲹱ī |

(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.

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