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Brahmānia Purāna
9 b - l l . Śyāmākas having two n a m e s , have been laid d o w n in the Smrti texts for t h e purpose of Yajña. As they have been created by the Devas they are r e m e m b e r e d as Aksaya (of everlasting benefit). As regards their qualities or efficacy (in this rite) Prasātikas (kind of r i c e ) , Priyańgus and grams also a r e on a p a r with Śyāmākas. Black grams, gingelly s« a n d p a d d y grains a r e excellent. 12. Mahayavas, Nispāvas, Madhūlikās (a kind of Citron?) Black rice and black metals are censurable ( a n d hence prohi bited) in the Ś r ā d d h a rite. 13-21. Rājamāsa a n d other things must be scrupulously avoided. Mas ūras( variety of pulse are) sacred. Kusumbha (safflower) is t h e a b o d e of goddess Laksmī. T h e following things are sweet a n d excellent for S r ā d d h a r i t e . 1 Atiyava ( d u r i n g the rainy season) Vrsaka, ( n a m e of a p l a n t ) , Vāsaka, Bilva, Āmalaka M y r o b a l a n ) , Mrdvika (grapes) panasa (Jack fruit), Ārhrāta ( t h e h o g p l u m ) , Dā&ima ( p o m e g r a n a t e ) , Tavaśolamyata (?) Ksaudra, Kharjūra ( d a t e s ) , Āmra (mango) fruit Kateru (Scirpus grossus, L i n n ) , Kovidārya, ( n a m e of a tree, H i n d i Kacnar) , Tālakanda, Bisa ( l o t u s ) , Tamāla Śatakanda, Madvasūcānta, Kāndiki, Kāleya, Kālaśāka(thc pot h e r b ocimutn sanctum) ,Bhūripūrnā, Suvarcalā, [Ruta Graveolens), Ekāmsāksa, Duviśāka, Bubucetāmkura, Kaphālaka, Kanā (grains of kana), Drāksā (grapes), Lakuca (Artocarpus lacucha) Coca (the fruit of t h e fan p a l m ) , Alābu ( g o u r d ) , Grivaka, Karkandhū 1.
For list of food, fruits, vegetables etc. recommended for Śrāddha.
Cf. V i s n u D h . S. 79.17. O u t of the lists of plants given here, the following are the corresponding botanical terms given in works like All India Ayurvedic Dictionary, Āyurvedīya materia medica, KirfeVs I n d e x Tālakanda—If If If Kāleya— If
to his edition (yellow
=Tālaka =Tālīsa
(Abie
of Asfāńga-hrdaya.
arsenic) Weffiiana)
=Tālamūtī
(Curculigo
=Kaliyaka
(Coscinium
=Kala
(capparis
Grivaka—Grewia—asia tica
fenestratum)
sepiaria)
(?)
Madhusāhvaya—If=madhuyas(i If=Madhūka
Orchioides)
(Glycyrrhiza g l a b r a ) .
(Madhuca
Indica)
Śrńgajapa—Śsńgavera—synonym of karkataśrńgī— R h u s Succedanea. I am indebted to D r . Y. W a d h w a n i of the Sk. Dictionary D e p t t . of the D e c c a n College, P u n e for the above information.