Edited & Compiled by Dr.A.S.Nene

Nagpur 20 July 2010

Sage Varahamihir (412 AD) compiled a text

“Brihat Samhita.

The title of chapter 54 is Dakargala. (Daka is

short form of

Udaka or water and Argal means obstruction).

b&hts<ihta –vrahimihrA 54

This text describes how the presence of some surface indicators can be used to predict presence of underground water both in quality and quantity. The indicators are

ØSpecific trees, plants, herbs and grasses

ØHibernating animals (Enjoying winter sleep- frogs,

Ølizards, snakes, alligators and tortoises)

ØAnthills (Terrariums)

The chapter 54 contains 124 verses.

For example , few verses are quoted below

If a Rotang tree is seen flourishing in a waterless tract, there will be water at a depth of 7.5 cubits at a distance of 3 cubits to the west of the tree.Verse- 006

If a fish or blue soil is met at a depth of 2.5

cubits, there will be abundant water source.

Verse -009

If there is a Nirgundi plant excessively grown

near an anthill, then there will be sweet water at

a depth of 11.25 cubits.

Verse- 015

Among a group of termite mounds, a water vein is

sure to be found below the taller of the mounds.

Verse-085

Various trees, plants, herbs and grasses

are shown in the next slides.

V006-Calamas rotang

Rattan (Cane)

V008-Java Plum-

Syzygium Cumini

V011-Country Fig tree

Ficus glomirata

V012-Arjun tree Terminalia arjuna

V014-Nirgudi- Vitex Negundo

V016-Jujube tree- Zizyphus jujuba.

V017-Flame of the forest -Butea frondosa.

V018-Holy fruit tree-Aegle marmelos

V019-Fir wood tree-

Ficus oppositifolia

V021- Kamala tree-

Mallotus philippensis

V023-Shonak-

Tetu

V024- Behda Tree-Teminalia Billerica.

V027-Bauhinia tree-Bauhinia variegata

V029-Alstonia tree-

Alstonia scholaris

V033-Poonga Oil Tree-

Pongamia pinnata

V035-Butter tree-

Madhuka longifoli

V038-Kadamb tree –

Anthocephalus cadumba

V040-palmy palm

Borasus flavilifer

V040-Coconut tree

Cocus nucifera

V041 Wood apple tree Limonia acidissima

V043-arboria-

Gmelina arboria

V045-Hedu tree-

Nauclea cordifolia

V047-Grass Cynodon dactylon

V047-Kuskus grass

Andropogon muricatus

V048-Balsum plant

white variety-

V048- Indradant

Baliospermum montanum.

V048-Wild Brinjal plant

V048-Wild sweet potato

Dioscoren sativa

V048-Jasmine creeper

Jaspinum sp.

V050-Alexandrain Laurel tree-

Ochuro-carpus logifolium

V050-Falsa tree-

Grewia asiatia

V050-Ankol tree –

Alangium Lamarki

V050 , Wild Hog plum-

Spondias Magnifera / mombin

V050-Anjana tree-

Hardwickia binata

V050-Marking Ink tree

Semecarpus anacardium.

V050-Rain tree Siris

Accacia Sirissa

V050-Pindara tree

Combretum ovalifolium

V050-Roxb Cabinet tree

Dioscoreo peniculata

V050-Garlic-Pear Tree

Crateva religiosa

V053-Catechu tree

Acacia catechau

V057-Solanum Jacquini plant

Solanum Indicum

V058-Date palm tree

Phoenix Sylvestris

V059-Pangara tree-

Erythrina indica

V063-Walnut tree-

Alcuritea moluocana

V067-Oleander tree-

Nerium Odorum

V081-Sprung tree

Prosopi spyicigers

V087-Heart leaved creeper

Tinospaora Cordifolia

V087- sarsaparilla creeper

Hemidesmusindicus

V063-Walnut tree

Alcuritea moluocana

V069-Arjun tree-

Terminalia Arjun

V087- Murva creeper

Clematis triloba

V087-Thorny capar brush

Capparis brevispina

V087-Wild potata creeper

Dioscoren Sativa

V087- Creeper

Cardiospermum Halicacobum Linn

V087-Bhuijambhul

V088-wild kidney bean

Phaseolus munog

V088-Thorny Caparbrush

Capparis brevispina

V100-Cinamum tree

V096-Bunyan tree

Ficus Indicus

V101-Fennel plant

V100-Kush grass

V101-Naga plant

Mammamia longiflora

V101- Lotus plant

V102-Mehandi plant

Lausonia Alba

Sal tree

V105-Soapnut tree

Sapindus trifoliatus

Soapnut

V105-Teak tree

Tectona grandis

V105-Shiwan tree

Gmalena arberia

V105-Asana Tree

V105-Sissoo tree-

Dalbergia latifolia

V087-Thorny capar brush

V100-Kash grass

Dr.A.S.Nene M4 Laxmi Nagar, Nagpur (India) 440022 Email: nene_ashok@yahoo.com

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