FLORA of the INDIAN EPIC PERIOD: ONCE LOST, the DIVERSITY of GENE POOLS CANNOT BE RESTORED - OUR EVOLUTIONARY RESPONSIBILITY Ashish Dubey1, Manju Lata Zingare *, Md
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Available Online through www.ijpbs.com (or) www.ijpbsonline.com IJPBS |Volume 3| Issue 1 |JAN-MAR |2013|305-321 Review Article Biological Sciences FLORA OF THE INDIAN EPIC PERIOD: ONCE LOST, THE DIVERSITY OF GENE POOLS CANNOT BE RESTORED - OUR EVOLUTIONARY RESPONSIBILITY Ashish Dubey1, Manju Lata Zingare *, Md. Aslam Ansari, Prasanna Lata Zingare2 1Department of Botany, Govt. Shaheed Bhagat Singh P.G. College, Jaora, Ratlam, M.P., 457226, India 2Department of Biotechnology, Govt. Digvijay Autonomous P.G. College, Rajnandgaon, C.G., 491441, India *Corresponding Author Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT The Indian epic flora are a fundamental part of the Indian culture and apart from having medicinal importance they also have religious value. Their present diversity of species is the result of a very long and slow process of genetic change and adaptation. The time necessary for the emergence of new species, and even for the accumulation of genetic variants at individual gene loci within species, greatly exceeds the time since the emergence of Homo sapiens. New techniques of molecular biology combined with recent theories in population genetics allow us to assess the time dimension of genetic change; these suggest that some genetic polymorphisms may have originated over a million generations ago. In other words, once lost, any particular genetic adaptation cannot be regained in any realistic time interval. These plants provide many services that we take for granted. However due to growing population, increasing anthropogenic activities, rapidly eroding natural ecosystem, etc. the natural habitat for a great number of herbs and trees are dwindling. Biotechnological approaches can prove beneficial for the conservation of these important plants. These plants have maintained their existence to date since the epic period and if once lost, they cannot be regained in any realistic time interval. So it is our evolutionary responsibility to conserve these plants for the future generations. KEY WORDS Conservation, Flora, Indian epic period INTRODUCTION developed known as Ayurveda, mostly dealing India was one of the foremost developed with human philosophy of health including countries in ancient times. Learned persons of utilization of medicinal plants [8]. There are vedic culture were aware regarding unimaginable records in ancient scripts regarding periodic obligation of plants for the sustenance of life. conferences, seminars and also workshops in There are a number of verses in ancient literature selected areas where exchange of knowledge was depicting this generosity of plant kingdom. No often manifested. Even it was mentioned that wonder that many such plants species have been women scholars like Maitrai, Gargi contributed revered as God [8]. One of the oldest treaties in the some knowledge about medicinal plants and their world is Rigveda (4500 BC-1000 BC) where healing maintenance. properties of some herbs are mentioned in the form of sonnets, which were often recited in We produce here the names of few plants and religious rituals. Later on a special faculty was trees of epic period, in Sanskrit language, their 305 Page International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (e-ISSN: 2230-7605) Ashish Dubey1 et al Int J Pharm Bio Sci www.ijpbs.com or www.ijpbsonline.com Available Online through www.ijpbs.com (or) www.ijpbsonline.com IJPBS |Volume 3| Issue 1 |JAN-MAR |2013|305-321 botanical names, local Hindi or English names and (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_of_the_Indian Sargas (Chapters) in which these species have _epic_period) been mentioned (Table 1, Fig. 1). Table 1. The names of flora of Indian epic period, in Sanskrit language, their botanical names, local Hindi or English names and Sargas (Chapters) in which these species have been mentioned. Sanskrit name of Location in S.no plant Botanical name Indian names Indian epic Parvaa Shloka epics (Devanagari) Agnimukha Bhilawa, Bhela, Aranya Semecarpus Matanga 1. ( ) Bhallaataka Ramayana Kanda 3.73.5 अग्ननमुख anacardium hermitage Sarga 73 Arjuna Arjuna, Kishkindha ( ) 2. अ셍ुनु Terminalia arjuna Arjunasaadaddaa, Ramayana kanda 4.1.81 Pampa Lake Sanmadat, Sarga 1 Aranya 3.11.74 Agastya’s Ramayana kanda hermitage Sarga 11 3. Asoka ( ) Saraca asoca Ashoka अशोक Anusasna XIII.54.4 King Kusika Mahabharata parva country Malada and Ashvakarna Bala Kanda 4. Vateria indica Dhupa, Ralla Ramayana 1.24.15 Karusha ( ) Sarga 24 अश्वकर्ु provinces Malada and Zizyphus Bala Kanda 5. Badari ( ) Ber, Bora Ramayana 1.24.16 Karusha बदरी mauritiana Sarga 24 provinces Aranya Dendrocalamus Bamboo, 6. Bansha ( ) Ramayana kanda Sarga 3.15.21 Panchvati ब 車स strictus bansalochana 15 Bhava, Bhavya, Bhavishya, Bhavan, Mahabharata Anusasana King Kusika 7. Bhavya ( ) Dillenia indica XIII.54.5 भव्य Vaktrashodhan, Parva country Pichchilbeeja Ramayana Pampa Lake Kishkinda 4.1.78 kanda Bilva ( ) 8. बब쥍व Aegle marmelos Bel Sarga 1 Van Parva Dvaita forest Mahabharata III.174.23 kurukshetra Saraswati river Champaka Michelia Anusasana King kusika 9. Champa Mahabharata XIII.54.5 (च륍ऩक) champaca parva country Kishkindha 10. Chandana (चद車 न) Santalum album Chandana Ramayana kanda Sarga 4.1.82 Pampa lake 1 306 Page International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (e-ISSN: 2230-7605) Ashish Dubey1 et al Int J Pharm Bio Sci www.ijpbs.com or www.ijpbsonline.com Available Online through www.ijpbs.com (or) www.ijpbsonline.com IJPBS |Volume 3| Issue 1 |JAN-MAR |2013|305-321 Devadaru Kishkindha 11. Cedrus deodara Deodar trees Ramayana kanda Sarga 4-43-13 Himalayas ( ) देवद 셁 43 Dhavda, Bakli , Dhau Kishkindha Anogeissus 12. Dhava ( ) , Dhawa, Dhawra, Ramayana kanda Sarga 4.1.81 Pampa lake धव latifolia Dhaora 1 Kishkinda Jangli madan mast 13. Hintala ( ) Cycus circinalis Ramayana kanda Sarga 4.1.83 Pampa lake हहन्त ऱ ka phool 1 Balanites Hinganbet, Ingudi, 14. Inguda ( ) Mahabharata Shalya Parva IX.36.58 Sarasvati River इ敍गुद roxburghii Hingoli, Hingun Aranya Matanga 15. Jambu ( ) Syzygium cumini Jamun, Jambul, Ramayana kanda Sarga 3.73.3 셍車बू hermitage 73 Aranya Anthocepalus Ramayana Matanga 16. Kadamba ( ) Kadamba kandaSarga 3.73.4 कद車ब Cadamba hermitage 73 Aranya Ramayana Matanga 17. Karavira ( ) Nerium indicum Kannhera kandaSarga 3.73.4 करवीर hermitage 73 kerda, kair, karir, 18. Karira ( ) Capparis deciduas Mahabharata Shalya Parva IX.36.58 Sarasvati River करीर kirir, karril Kishkinda Karnikara Ramayana Pampa Lake 19. Cassia fistula Amaltas kanda 4.1.73 ( ) कर्र्कु र Sarga 1 Aranya Saccharum 20. Kasha ( ) Kans grass Ramayana kanda Sarga 3.15.22 Panchvati क श spontaneum 15 Kashmarya 21. Berberis vulgaris Kashmal Mahabharata Shalya Parva IX.36.58 Sarasvati River (क श्मय)ु Pandanus Kewada, Ketaki, Mahabharata Anusasana King Kusika 22. Ketaka ( ) XIII.54.4 के तक tectorius Keura, Gagandhul parva country Aranya 23. Khadira (खहदर) Acacia catechu Khair, Khadira Ramayana kanda Sarga 3.15.18 Panchvati 15 Kishkindha Kichaka Venu Bambusa Mahabharata Where River 24. Kaantaa baans kanda Sarga 4.43.37 ( ) arundinacea Sailoda flows कीचक वेर्ू 43 Kishkindha Kimshuka Butea Palas, Dhak, 25. Ramayana Kanda Sarga 4.1.75 Pampa lake ( 車 ) monosperma Khakara, Kakracha ककशुक 1 Aranya Phoenix 26. Kharjura ( ) Pindakhajur Ramayana kanda Sarga 3.15.18 Panchvati ख셍ूरु dactylifera 15 Kovidara Bauhinia Kurukshetra 27. Kachanar Mahabharata Drorna parva VII.153.24 (कोववद र) variegata war Kishkinda Kurantaka Vajradanti, Koraanti- 28. Barleria prionitis Ramayana kanda Sarga 4.1.80 Pampa lake ( ) piwali कु र赍टक 1 307 Page International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (e-ISSN: 2230-7605) Ashish Dubey1 et al Int J Pharm Bio Sci www.ijpbs.com or www.ijpbsonline.com Available Online through www.ijpbs.com (or) www.ijpbsonline.com IJPBS |Volume 3| Issue 1 |JAN-MAR |2013|305-321 Kishkindha Mehandi, Mendee 29. Kurvaka ( ) Lawsonia inermis Ramayana kanda 4.1.82 Pampa lake कु रवक English:Henna, Hina, Sarga 1 Kuṭasalmali Kishkindha Eastern side of 30. Ceiba pentandra Kapok tree Ramayana kanda 4.40.39 the ( ) कू टश 쥍मऱी Sarga 40 Jambudvipa Vasanti, Kishkindha Madhavi Gaertnera Madhumalati, 31. Ramayana Kanda Sarga 4.1.77 Pampa Lake ( ) racemosa Haladvel, म धवी 1 Madahavilataa Aranya Madhuka Agastya 32. Madhuka indica Mahuwa, Mahuli Ramayana kanda Sarga 3.11.74 ( ) hermitage मधकू 11 Bel/Beli, Mogra, Kishkindha 33. Malati (म ऱती) Jasminum sambac Mallika, Kampupot, Ramayana kanda Sarga 4.1.76 Pampa lake Melati 1 Kishkindha Jasminum 34. Malati ( ) Chameli, Jati Ramayana Kanda Sarga 4.1.76 Pampa lake म ऱती grandiflorum 1 Nagachampa, Kishkinda 35. Naga (न ग) Messua ferrea Naagakeshara, Ramayana kanda 4.1.78 Pampa lake Naagachaafaa, Sarga 1 Kishkinda Naktamala Karanja, kiramal, 36. Pongamia pinnata Ramayana kanda 4.1.82 Pampa lake ( ) Kidamar न啍तम ऱ Sarga 1 Cities Murachi, Kishkinda Narikela Jatapura, 37. Cocos nucifera Coconut Palm Ramayana kanda 4.42.11 ( ) Avanti and न ररके ऱ Sarga 42 Angalepa Plaksha, Bengal fig, Ramayana Pampa Lake Nila (नीऱ) Indian fig, East Kishkinda 4.1.79 Indian fig, Indian kanda 38. Ficus bengalensis Banyan or simply Sarga 1 Nyagrodha Banyan, also borh, Mahabharata Kurukshetra nyagrodha and wad Drorna parva VII.153.24 (न्यग्रोध) war or Vad/Vat Hindi:Kamal, English:Indian lotus, Ramayana Kishkinda 39. Padma ( ) Nelumbo nucifera 4.1.76 Pampa lake ऩद्म sacred lotus, bean of Sarga 1 India, or simply lotus Kishkindha Himalayan wild Ramayana 40. Padmaka ( ) Prunus cerasoides kanda Sarga 4.43.13 Himalayas ऩद्मक cherry 43 Artocarpus 41. Panasa ( ) Kat-hal Mahabharata Shalya parva IX.36.58 Sarasvati river ऩनस heterophyllus Aranya Ramayana 42. Parnasa ( ) Ocimum sanctum Tulasi kanda Sarga 3.15.18 Panchvati ऩर् ुस 15 Pangara, Dadap, Aranya Paribhadraka Matanga 43. Erythrina indica Mandar, Ferrud, Ramayana kanda Sarga 3.73.5 ( ) hermitage ऩररभद्रक Panara 73 308 Page International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (e-ISSN: 2230-7605) Ashish Dubey1 et al Int J Pharm Bio Sci www.ijpbs.com or www.ijpbsonline.com Available Online through www.ijpbs.com (or) www.ijpbsonline.com IJPBS |Volume 3| Issue 1 |JAN-MAR |2013|305-321 Paarijaat, Praajakt, Parijata Nyctanthus Mahabharata 44.