उपवनविनोद (आचार्य शार्ङ्गधर - वृक्षायुर्वेद, भू-जल संधान एवं उद्यान-विज्ञान सटीक)

SCIENCE OF ARBORI-HORTICULTURE IN ANCIENT INDIA 7
Varāhamihira says that "the presence of Plakṣa, Vaṭa, Udumbara and
Aśwattha trees respectively in the south, west, north and east of a house
forebodes evil, and if the same trees are present in order—Plakṣa being in the
north, Vaṭa in the east, Udumbara in the south, and Aśwattha in the west it
means good to the house." 83
"Presence of thorny trees like Khadira near a house means danger from
enemies, that of Kṣīra trees (trees with milky juice) loss of things, and that of
fruit trees, like mango, etc., indicates loss of children (prajākṣayakara). One
should not use even the wood of these trees as fuel". 84.
"If one does not want to part with these trees one should do well to plant
Punnāga, Aśoka, Ariṣṭa, Vakula, Panasa, Śamī and Sāla near them."¹ 85.
Bhaṭṭotpala in his commentary on the Bṛhatsaṁhitā quotes Garga who
enjoins that "one should avoid Aśwattha in the east, Plakṣa in the south,
Nyagrodha in the west and Udumbara in the north (of his house), for, it is
said that Aśwattha (in such position) engenders fear, Plakṣa defeat,
Nyagrodha illness of the king and Udumbara that of eyes. Vaṭa in front of
a house is best, so are the Udumbara, Aśwattha, and Plakṣa in the south,
west and north of the house respectively."
Varāhamihira in another place says, "let us first of all talk of trees that
should be planted in a garden, or in the house itself. Ariṣṭa, Aśoka, Punnāga,
Śirīṣa, Priyaṅgu, should be planted in the garden, or in the house as preemi-
nently conducive to the welfare of the house." Kaśyapa, another authority,
adds Champaka, Udumbara and Pārijātaka to the above list and says, that they
should be planted in *devālayé tathodyāné gṛhesūpāvanesu cha"*² 3. The
Agni Purāṇa prescribes that "a Plakṣa tree planted and grown on the north
of a building brings good luck to its master, whereas a Vaṭa tree on its east,
an Udumbara on its south and an Aśwattha on its west are possessed of
similar virtues. The garden should be laid on the lefthand side of a
dwelling house."³
To promote the hygienic effects of different trees and shrubs planted
around the dwelling of a man the Agnipuraṇa further enjoins that "Plakṣas
should be planted to the north of a dwelling house, the Vaṭas on the east,
mangoes on the south, Aśwattha on the west. Thorny shrubs should be so
planted as to edge the southern boundary of the ground of a house. The
flower garden should be laid out adjoining a dwelling house, and blooming
plants or sesame should be cultivated therein."
"Tanks should be excavated in the gardens, and arms of rivers should be
made to run in the same. Trees such as Ariṣṭa, Aśoka, Kadali, Punnāga, Śirīṣa,
1 Bṛhatsaṁhitā. Chap. 52. Vāstuvidyā, Vol. ii, pp. 643-705.
2 Chap. 54, Vṛkṣhāyurveda, Vol. II, p. 743 (Sanskrit original).
3 Chap. 246, English translation, pp. 889-893.