Vrukshayurveda, the science of plant life and also a 10th-century treatise of that title on the subject ascribed to Surapala, dealt with various species of trees and their growth. Verses 9-23 from this text indicate how mystical beliefs and conservation of ecology was inter-connected.
- A person is honored in Vaikuntha for as many thousand years as the days he resides in a house where tulasi is grown.
- And if one properly grows bilva, which pleases Lord Siva, in his family, the goddess of riches resides permanently passes on to the sons and grandsons
- He who plants even a single asvattha, wherever it may be, as per the prescribed mode, goes to the abode of Hari.
- He who has planted dhatri has performed several sacrifices. He has donated the earth. He would be considered a celebate forever.
- He who plant a couple of banyan trees as per the prescribed mode would go to the abode of Siva and many heavenly nymphs will attend upon him.
- After planting neem trees a person well-versed in dharma attains the abode of Sun. Indeed! He resides there for a long period.
- He who plants five or six mango trees attains the abode of Garuda and lives happily forever like gods.
- One should plant seven palasa trees or even one. One attains the abode of Brahma and enjoys the company of gods by doing so.
- He who himself plants eight udumbara trees or even prompts someone to plant them, rejoices in the lunar world
- He who has planted madhuka has propitiated Parvati, has become free from diseases, and has worshipped all deities.
- If one plants ksirini, dadimi, rambha, priyala, and panasa, one experiences no affliction for seven births.
- He who has knowingly or unknowingly planted ambu is respected as a recluse even while staying in the house.
- By planting all kinds of other trees, useful for fruits and flowers, a person gets a reward of thousand cows adorned with jewels.
- By planting one asvattha, one picumanda, one nyagrodha, ten tamarind trees, the group of three, viz., kapittha, bilva, and amalaka, and five mango trees, one never visits hell.[5]
Typically, sacred groves are associated with the concept of a presiding deity. Often these sacred deities are numerous nature spirits and guardians associated with Hindu, Jain and Buddhist deities, such as nature spirits known as Yakshas (numerous nature spirits), Nāgas (serpent guardians) and guardian tutelary deities (like ayyanar and amman) are also known. There are over 1000 deities associated with sacred groves in the states of Kerala and Karnataka alone.
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