Dakargalam – an Ancient Water Exploration Technique Based on Varahamihira’S Brhat Samhita

Short communication Asian Agri-History Vol. 17, No. 2, 2013 (175–181) 175

Dakargalam – An Ancient Water Exploration Technique Based on Varahamihira’s Brhat Samhita

Rajani R Joshi1, UD Kulkarni2, AV Vartak2, and IA Khan2

1. Sanskrit Department, Shri Shivaji Mahavidyalaya, Barshi, Maharashtra, India (email: [email protected]) 2. Geology Department, N. Wadia College, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Varahamihira (505–587 AD), also called Samhita. It consists of 105 chapters with Varaha or Mihira, was an Indian astronomer, 4000 slokas (verses) in anustub meter mathematician, and astrologer. He is (anustub meter means each quarter of considered to be one of the nine jewels the sloka contains 8 Devnagari letters). (Navaratnas) of the court of legendary King Varahamihira was also an astrologer. He Vikramaditya (believed to be the Gupta wrote on all 3 main branches of Jyotisha Emperor, Chandragupta II alias Vikramaditya). (astrology), which include (a) Brhat Jataka Varahamihira was the son of Adityadasa of (considered as one of the 5 main treatises on Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, India. He was a Hindu astrology), (b) Daivaigya Vallabha, devout worshiper of Surya Narayana (the Sun) (c) Laghu Jataka, (d) Yoga Yatra, and and was instructed in astrology by his father. (e) Vivaha Patal. The Romaka Siddhanta He was a keen observer of geo-botanical and (Doctrine of the Romans) and the Paulisa physiographic features around him. Siddhanta (Paul’s Doctrine) were two Varahamihira compiled Pancha-Siddhantika, works of western origin, which infl uenced a treatise on the fi ve astronomical canons, Varahamihira’s thought. A comment in the which gives information about older Indian Brhat Samhita by Varahamihira reads: “The texts that are now lost. The work is on Greeks, though impure, must be honored mathematical astronomy and it summarizes since they were trained in sciences and fi ve earlier astronomical treatises, namely, therein, excelled others …” the Surya Siddhanta, Romaka Siddhanta, Varahamihira’s most valuable contribution Paulisa Siddhanta, Vasishtha Siddhanta, and to the scientifi c world is the Brhat Samhita. Paitamaha Siddhantas. It is a compendium It deals with a wide range of subjects of of native Indian as well as Hellenistic human interest, such as astrology, planetary astronomy (Greek, as also the Egyptian and movements, eclipses, rainfall, clouds, Roman elements). The 11th century Muslim scholar Al-Biruni has also described the architecture, growth of crops, manufacture details of the fi ve astronomical canons. of perfume, matrimony, domestic relations, gems, pearls, and rituals. This volume also The other most important contribution of explains a topic on gemstone evaluation Varahamihira is the encyclopedic Brhat criteria, found in the Garuda Purana, and 176 Dakargalam: water exploration technique comments on the ‘sacred nine pearls’ from at depths varying from 2.3 to 160 m in the same text. This text is supposed to be different environments of arid and semi-arid ancillary to the Vedas. Chapter 54 deals regions. Varahamihira estimated not only exclusively with water. the depth of the groundwater but also the distance and direction with respect to the The term ‘Dakargalam’ in Sanskrit connotes indicator plants (Fig. 1). ‘water exploration’. Daka means water (derived from the Sanskrit word udaka The area under study lies between the for water) and argalam, a bolt or bar; i.e., latitudes 17°30’ N and 19°30’ N and “a branch of science dealing with water longitudes 75°30’ E and 76°E. The project locked up or imprisoned in the bowels of area falls under semi-arid region. The the earth”. The chapter on Dakargalam temperature in June ranges between 35°C mentions several indicators to presence of and 45°C, while the minimum is about underground water. These are geological, 5°C. Scanty rainfall extends from mid- geo-botanical, bio-geological, and non- June to October. The Sina river basin is biological indicators of the surface and classifi ed as a drought-prone region in the subsurface of the earth that even today Sholapur district of Maharashtra, in the could be useful in several regions of India. southern part of the state, fringing along The other common surface indicators of the Karnataka–Maharashtra boundary. groundwater, such as termite mounds have The geo-hydrological investigations in also been mentioned. the present study were mainly carried out in the northeastern boundary of Sholapur The hydrological indicators documented district and adjoining southwestern region in ancient India had a scientific basis; of Osmanabad district. The region falls applied study is bound to go a long way in under the watershed of Sina river basin, satisfying the need for water for irrigation, which is a tributary of the river Bhima. industrial and domestic use. Varahamihira The main drainage direction of the streams documented more than 100 plant species in the study area is towards southeast. occurring (i) individually, (ii) in association Being a drought-prone zone, the region with termite mounds, (iii) in presence of is characterized by an average rainfall of two or three different species together, about 770 mm. and (iv) in conspicuous morphologic or physiologic features. With the aid of specifi c plants, sources of groundwater were located Brhat Samhita deals with a wide range of subjects of human interest, such as astrology, planetary movements, … most important contribution of eclipses, rainfall, clouds, architecture, Varahamihira is the encyclopedic Brhat growth of crops, manufacture of Samhita. It consists of 105 chapters perfume, matrimony, domestic with 4000 slokas (verses). relations, gems, pearls, and rituals. Asian Agri-History Vol. 17, No. 2, 2013 177

Hydrological Hydrological indicator (tree) indicator (tree)

Termite Distance mounds

Animal in aestivation

Depth

Underground water stream

Figure 1. Graphical view of Dakargalam.

To evaluate the techniques of Varahamihira, Site no. 2: Karamba-2 (Mr Bahirje’s ﬁ eld) ﬁ ve geological sites have been selected with on Barshi-Sholapur road (Dist. Sholapur) varying geo-botanical and bio-geological indicators, having an ecological difference Site no. 3: Kasarwadi (Dist. Sholapur) (Fig. 2). Geo-physical explorations were Site no. 4: Yedshi (Dist. Osmanabad) carried out to establish a correlation between Varahamihira’s observations Site no. 5: Mankeshwar (Dist. Osmanabad) and present physiography. These sites st include: In the 21 century, there is a growing concern over the estimates of fresh water Site no. 1: Karamba-1 on Barshi-Sholapur availability all over the world. The warnings road (Dist. Sholapur) given by the climates of southeastern 178 Dakargalam: water exploration technique

of variation, with droughts and ﬂ oods at their extremity.

Most of the geo-botanical explorations today are based on biotic and abiotic earth resources. Under ecological conditions, geological phenomena also play a signifi cant role in relation to the water below and above earth’s surface. It is, therefore, essential that with the help of geo-botanical research, the explorations for groundwater, economically important mineral deposits, and fuel resources may be undertaken. This technique involves observations of the plant species, their habitat, morphology, ecological relationship, toxicity effects, and morphologic changes. Another fi eld of bio- Figure 2. Map of Maharashtra indicating geography has also evolved, which utilizes relevant districts. the study of the vegetation as an indicator of different physical and geographical countries reveal that we are moving into an conditions. In all these areas of geo-botany, era of water scarcity. With a fast increasing the indicator plant is employed, which population, there is more demand for food consists of two types: universal indicator and water. It is, therefore, inevitable that and local indicator. Universal indicators the pressure is and will be on detection of are the plant species that are adapted to subsurface water storage. There is a dire living exclusively on rocks and soils with need of simple, cheap but reliable methods particular mineral content. Local indicators of groundwater detection in the regions of are the species having widest distribution, scanty rainfall. but under local situations may serve as indicators of certain properties of the soils The Indian monsoon is known for its and rocks. vagaries. Almost 85% of the rainfall is provided by the Southwest monsoon (i.e., from June to September) and some parts The term ‘Dakargalam’ in Sanskrit of Southern India receive rains from the connotes ‘water exploration’. Daka Northeast monsoon (i.e., November and means water (derived from the Sanskrit December). Rainfall distribution is also word udaka for water) and argalam, uneven with respect to time and space. A a bolt or bar; i.e., “a branch of science large part of the country is therefore, arid or dealing with water locked up or semi-arid. In addition, the low-rainfall areas imprisoned in the bowels of the earth”. of the country have a fairly high coeffi cient Asian Agri-History Vol. 17, No. 2, 2013 179

It is important to note that what is being presently attempted by modern science of To evaluate the techniques of geo-botany was successfully carried out Varahamihira, fi ve geological sites for groundwater exploration by the ancient have been selected with varying geo- Indian sages and saints. It is unfortunate botanical and bio-geological indicators, that the present-day scientifi c community having an ecological difference. has not recognized the signifi cance and certainty of this ancient scientifi c effort. remote hilly tracts. The study also indicates Varahamihira’s work emphasizes the the accuracy of Varahamihira in observing fact that collaboration and coordination minute details of the topography, ecology between geological and botanical surveys (plant and animal association in relation is essential to achieve signifi cant results in to the ecological conditions), and their the exploration for natural resources. correlation with groundwater. The practical Based on the fi ve sample sites and fi eld utilization of Varahamihira’s techniques surveys around Barshi town, it is concluded could, therefore, be made for shallow depth that the geo-botanical and bio-geological detection of groundwater. Today, there are indicators of Varahamihira prove very some tribal zones where traditional ways useful in detecting the groundwater of groundwater detection are being used. horizons. It would not be appropriate to Most of these are based on the techniques apply all the techniques of Varahamihira in used by Varahamihira. However, such highly “concrete-world” of cities, because practices are adopted only in isolated there are hardly any traces of natural areas all over the country. Varahmihira’s vegetation on the surface. However, the techniques should be employed even present study reveals that Varahamihira’s today for the remote hilly regions where criteria can be applied in the rural and natural vegetation and other geo-biological indicators are available.

Some of the important observations of Varahamihira documented more than Varahmihira are given below: 100 plant species occurring (i) individually, (ii) in association with 1. Strong geotropic response of primary termite mounds, (iii) in presence of and lateral tree roots: The root system, in two or three different species together, its early phases of formation, is controlled and (iv) in conspicuous morphologic strongly by gravity. The primary roots at or physiologic features. With the aid of deeper depths and lateral roots at shallow specifi c plants, sources of groundwater depths are indicative of water availability. were located at depths varying from 2.3 The primary roots suggest groundwater to 160 m in different environments of from a minimum of 2.3 m (e.g., durva arid and semi-arid regions. or Cynodon dactylon grass; sloka 47) to deepest of 171.4 m (sami or Prosopis 180 Dakargalam: water exploration technique cineraria tree; sloka 85). The plants are 2. Termite mounds as geo-hydrological termed as phreatophytes [phreatophyte is a indicators: The locations of termite mounds deep-rooted plant that obtains a signifi cant or their occurrence in the forests or barren portion of the water that it needs from the topography have been used by Varahamihira phreatic zone (zone of saturation) or the as a geo-hydrological indicator. These capillary fringe above the phreatic zone], species are capable of consuming enormous when they serve as hydrologic indicators quantities of groundwater and can easily (often known as the ‘well’ plants). These be taken as an indicator of groundwater in are rain dependent plant species whose association of other supporting evidences. roots can easily be traced to the water table. Recently, the termite study in India, Varahamihira advocates profi ciency while although limited, is confi ned to only few suggesting various plant parts as indicators species belonging to genus Odontotermes of direction, depth as well as distance such as O. bangalorensis, O. besus, O. over which water table will be located. redemanni, and O. wallonensis, which are Few of the well-illustrated observations of known for building mounds. Varahamihira are: 3. Symbiotic relationship of different Polarity: The primary roots of an indicator plant species: Symbiotic relationship of tree, which propagate towards the water two or more trees has been taken as an table, show preferred direction of physical indicator of subsurface availability of water. orientation with respect to the trunk. Varahamihira has suggested 11 plant species Primary and lateral roots grow around an depicting groundwater conditions at varying impenetrable object after which the root tips depths of 7 to 137 m. He has also used tend to reorient to their original direction of symbiotic relationship between plants and growth. The depletion of soil moisture also animals as indicators (e.g., termite mounds helps penetration and direction of the roots at the base of the tree, habitat of frogs at the to groundwater. base of the tree, etc.).

Varahamihira had not only observed and 4. Color, dwarfness of the trees/shrubs, suggested the geo-botanical indicators but or plant canopy: Varahamihira, in his also pinpointed the depth of groundwater slokas 49, 61, 77, 85, and 100–102, has as well as the distance and direction of the used different aspects of vegetation such indicator plant.

Multi-layered aquifer indicator: Based on Based on the fi ve sample sites and the root penetration of trees, Varahamihira fi eld surveys around Barshi town, it has suggested aquifers at different depths is concluded that the geo-botanical (2 aquifers with kapittha or Limonia and bio-geological indicators of acidissima, slokas 41 and 42; 3 aquifers Varahamihira prove very useful in with karanja or Pongamia pinnata, slokas detecting the groundwater horizons. 33 and 34). Asian Agri-History Vol. 17, No. 2, 2013 181 as color of the leaves, height of the shrub, Bibliography salts deposited on the leaves and their Anonymous. 2005. Annual Report of coloration, etc., as hydrological indicators. Solapur District (2004–05). Groundwater The occurrence of such indicator plants in Survey and Development Agency, the forests or barren topography has been Government of Maharashtra, India. used by Varahamihira as a geo-hydrological indicator. Bhat R. 1993. Varahmihira’s Brhat Samhita, Motilal Banarasidass, Delhi, India. 5. Plant and fruit disorders: Certain plant disorders such as branching palms, Prasad EAV. 1980. Ground water in fl ower and fruit disorders are indicative of Varahmihir’s Brhat Samhita. Shri geo-hydrological horizons (slokas 56, 57, Venkateshwara University, Tirupati, Andhra and 59). Pradesh, India.