Abstract
Agriculture is backbone of our country. In India utility of cow products is observed since time immemorial. Utility of cows in agriculture is mentioned in Vedas, Krishi Parashara, Vrikshayurveda, Brihatsamhita, Agnipurana, Vishnu dharmottara Purana and other texts. Among the panchagavyas cow milk, ghee and dung are extensively used for thousands of years in India. It is more relevant today to learn about the usage of cow products in agriculture as Indian breed cows are in danger and many Indian breed cows are extinct today.
Irrigation of with the help of milk: The medical treatment of the trees getting diseased is done by clearing out of the affected parts with the help of a knife and then smearing these parts with a paste of vidanga and ghee, later to be irrigated with milk and water (Brihat Samhita 54-15).
Vrikshayurveda of Surapala mentions that after sowing the seed receptacle of seeds is covered with straw, it is to be sprinkled with milk and water. In the case of premature destruction of fruits the trees are to be sprinkled with milk boiled and cooled and mixed with the powder of masha, mudga, sesamum, and barely. This is always helpful for the bearing of fruits and flowers.
Plant treatment is done with cowdung: The auspicious plants like Ashoka, Punnaaga, and shiriisha along with Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Panasa (Artocarpus integrifolia), Ashoka, Plantain (Musa paradisiaca), Jambu, Pomegranate, Draksha, Bijapura are to be planted along with their scions after being smeared with cow-dung. They are then to be planted or replanted after cutting at the root or at the end of the stem. (brihat samhita)
Applying ghee for getting large fruits: A pome granate tree will bear large fruits, if besmeared with turmeric, ghee, safari (fish) and honey and then fumigated with the powder of triphala(myrobalans T.chebula T.bellirica, Emblica officinalis) mixed with ghee. The diseases of trees caused by cold and hot weather, interlocking of their roots and scratching by elephants become fresh after treatment. At first the affected parts are to be cleared with the help of knife and then smearing is to be done with ghee. The trees are sprinkled with milk and water
In this way we can see Indians using cow products specially cow dung milk, ghee in agriculture. All of us should be aware of heritage given by our ancestors for the welfare of human beings and plant kingdom. It is our duty to appreciate and implement the eco-friendly methodologies inherited from our ancestors.
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