कृषि-पाराशर (महर्षि पराशर - प्राचीन भारतीय कृषि, मृदा-परीक्षण, वर्षा-पूर्वानुमान व बीज-संस्कार)

INTRODUCTION xiii
eggs, sudden croaking of frogs,¹¹ etc. as well as a statement of
particular positions of the sun, the moon and the planets affecting
rainfall.
Supervision of agriculture has been emphasised as indispensable
for ensuring a good return, and, in this matter, no proxy is allowed
whatsoever (v.v. 81-85)¹². Bulls are an essential element in agricul-
tural operations; as such, great care of, and humane treatment
towards them have been strongly ordained. Certain rites, e.g., those
to be performed in Laguḍa-pratipat in the month of Kārtika, are
enjoined as they are supposed to be conducive to the health of cattle.
Regarding the number of bulls to be employed, eight is the best and
two the worst. One, who wishes the constant favour of the Goddess
of wealth, should use ten ploughs. The possession of a single plough
has been most vehemently condemned.
Cowdung as a manure has been highly extolled to the point of
veneration.
The principal agricultural implements are the hala (plough) and
madikā (ladder). īṣā (pole), yuga (yoke), sthāṇu (?), niryola (rod),
pāśikā (rope), aḍḍacalla (pin of yoke), śaula (?) and paccani: these are
the eight accessories of the plough. Besides these, there are also
mentioned phāla (plough-share), viddhaka (harrow), yotra (cord) and
rajju (rope). In has been directed that the implements and their
accessories should be of prescribed shape and measurement; otherwise,
agricultural operations will be impeded at every step (v.v. 114-122;
cf. Amarārtha-kalpadruma, Vaiśyavarga, sl. 37-39).
The author then lays down the effects of the commencement of
ploughing on different days of the week and lunar days, etc. The
commencement of ploughing must invariably be preceded by certain
11 Cf. beṅg ḍāke ghana ghana/
śīghra vṛṣṭi have jena//Khanār vacan.
12 Cf. khāṭe khāṭāy lābher gānti/,
tār ardhek kāndhe chāti//
ghare vase puche bāt/,
tār ghare bā bhāt//Ibid