Long before modern concepts of permaculture, urban forestry, or biodiversity conservation took center stage, a 17th-century Indian saint-philosopher was already laying down the ultimate blueprint for ecological balance.
In “Baag Prakaran” (Writings on Gardens and Botany), Samarth Ramdas Swami creates a fascinating detailed catalog of trees, fruit orchards, sweet-smelling blossoms, and aquatic plants. While the broader text spans 28 verses, Part 2 (Verses 11–19) takes us right into the vibrant heart of the sanctuary. It reveals how a thoughtful blend of grand canopy trees, self-sustaining fruit orchards, and fragrant blooms can transform any landscape into a thriving, peaceful sanctuary.
Let’s take a journey through these classic Marathi verses, and the timeless ecological wisdom tucked inside them.
- The Mighty Canopy: Shade, Fresh Air, and Pest Control
Ramdas Swami opens this section by highlighting massive timber and shade trees. These giant species purified the surrounding air, provided cool relief to weary travelers, and acted as natural bio-pesticides.
निंबारे गोडे निंब । नाना महावृक्ष तळंब ।
गोरक्षचिंच लातंब । परोपरीची ॥ ११ ॥
Nimbare gode nimba | Nana mahavriksha talamba |
Gorakshachincha latamba | Paroparichi || 11 ||
चांफे चंदन रातांजन । पतंग मैलागर कांचन ।
पोपये खेलेले खपान । वट पिंपळ उंबर ॥ १३ ॥
Chaphe chandana ratanjana | Patanga mailagara kanchana |
Popaye khelele khapana | Vata pimpala umbara || 13 ||
Beyond providing shelter, giant canopy trees like the Banyan (Vat), Sacred Fig (Pipal), and Cluster Fig (Umbar) were recognized as ecological anchors that produced abundance of oxygen and created nesting havens for local bird populations. Nearby, fragrant Sandalwood (Chandan) and medicinal Neem infused the breeze with therapeutic aroma and natural pest-repelling properties.
- Orchards of Plenty: Year-Round Organic Nutrition
A crucial goal of the monastery garden was food security and nutritional independence. Ramdas Swami lists an extraordinary variety of fruit-bearing trees, palms, and medicinal fruits that ensured fresh food was available across all seasons.
गोधनी शेलवंटी भोंकरी । मोहो बिब्बा रायबोरी ।
बेल फणस जांब भरी । चिंच अंबसोल अंबाडे ॥ १२ ॥
Godhani shelavanti bhokari | Moho bibba rayabori |
Bela phanasa jamba bhari | Chincha ambasola ambade || 12 ||
आंबे निंबे साखरनिंबे । रेकण्या खरजूरी तुते डाळिंबे ।
तुरडे विडे नारिंगें । शेवे कविट अंजीर सीताफळें ॥ १४ ॥
जांब अननस देवदार । सुरमे खासे मंदार ।
पांढरे जंगली लाल पुरे । उद्वे चित्रकीं ॥ १५ ॥
Ambe Nimbe Sakaharnimbe | Reknya Kharjuri Tute Dalimbe |
turande vide naringe | Sheve kavita anjira sitaphale || 14 ||
Jamba ananasa devadara | Surame khase mandara |
Pandhare jangali lala pure Udve chitraki || 15 ||
केळी नारळी पोफळी । आवळी रायआंवळी जांभळी ।
कुणकी गुगुळी सालफळी । वेलफळी माहाळुंगी ॥ १६ ॥
Keli narali pophali | Avali rayavali ambali |
Kunaki guguli salaphali | Velaphali mahalungi || 16 ||
The garden brings together staple fruits like mangoes, pomegranates, bananas, and figs, alongside tangy amla, lemons, and wild citrons (mahalungi). Towering deodars, coconut palms, and areca nut trees (udve/pophali) stand alongside fragrant surangi and mandar blossoms, betel vines, and medicinal flora like chitrak and guggul, presenting an ideal sanctuary of natural abundance.
- Fragrant Blossoms: Fragrance for Sacred Spaces
A sanctuary is incomplete without tranquility. Ramdas Swami gives special attention to flowering shrubs and vines, cultivated both for daily temple offerings and to elevate mind states during meditation.
भुईचांफे नागचांफे मोगरे । पारिजातक बटमोगरे ।
शंखासुर काळे मोगरे । सोनतरवड सोनफुले ॥ १७ ॥
Bhuichaphe nagachaphe mogare | Parijataka batamogare |
Shankhasura kale mogare | Sonataravada sonaphule || 17 ||
जाई सखजाई पीतजाई । त्रिविध शेवती मालती जुई ।
पाडळी बकुळी अबई । नेवाळी केतकी चमेली ॥ १८ ॥
Jai sakhajai peetjai | Trividh Shevati malati jui |
Padali bakuli abai | Nevali ketaki chameli || 18 ||
The sweet perfumes of Jasmine (Mogra), Night-flowering Jasmine (Parijat), Bakul, Chameli, and Ketaki swept through the grounds, turning the entire garden into an uplifting, sensory retreat.
- Aquatic Life: Water Conservation Meets Aesthetics
Concluding Part 2, the text shifts its focus toward water bodies, illustrating how rain harvesting and garden aesthetics were seamlessly integrated.
सूर्यकमळिणी चंद्रकमळिणी । जास्वनी हनुमंतजास्वनी ।
केशर कुसुंबी कमळिणी । बहुरंग निळयाती ॥ १९ ॥
Suryakamalini chandrakamalini | Jasvani hanumantajasvani |
Keshara kusumbi kamalini | Bahuramga nilayati || 19 ||
By cultivating Sun-lotuses, Moon-lilies, and vibrant Water Lilies in garden ponds, the monastery managed rainwater reserves naturally. The aquatic plants kept pond water cool, reduced evaporation, and prevented stagnation, transforming basic water storage into vibrant aquatic ecosystems.
The Modern Takeaway
Samarth Ramdas Swami’s Baag Prakaran is far more than an ancient botanical list—it is a lesson in sustainable living, permaculture, and holistic well-being. By bringing together food production, medicinal plants, wildlife shelters, and natural beauty into a single space, it reminds us that living in harmony with nature is an eternal practice.
|| Jay Jay Raghuveer Samarth ||
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