Roots of Wisdom, Branches of Devotion

Plant Life in South Asian Traditions

edited by Fabrizio M. Ferrari and Thomas Dahnhardt

Book cover: Roots of Wisdom, Branches of Devotion

Extent: 256 pages

Publisher: Equinox Publishing

Subjects: Asian/Pacific Studies & Religions, Buddhist Studies, Religious Studies

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(June 2016)

ISBN: 9781781791202

6.1 x 9.17 inches

Price: $29.95

In stock

Hardback (Published)

(June 2016)

ISBN: 9781781791196

6.1 x 9.17 inches

Price: $29.95

In stock

Roots of Wisdom, Branches of Devotion is the natural continuation of the two previous edited collections on animals and minerals in South Asian religions. This volume reflects on plant life in South Asian traditions. It explores the way in which various religious traditions, including Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, have represented and reflected upon the botanical environment – the sacred nature of trees and flora, the significance of plants as food and medicine, agriculture and the use of plants in ritual and myth. The volume is multidisciplinary in its approach and includes studies ranging from anthropology, history, religious studies, medicine and medical humanities to folklore, literature, hermeneutics and philosophy.


Roots of Wisdom, Branches of Devotion is the natural continuation of the two previous edited collections on animals and minerals in South Asian religions. This volume reflects on plant life in South Asian traditions. It explores the way in which various religious traditions, including Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, have represented and reflected upon the botanical environment – the sacred nature of trees and flora, the significance of plants as food and medicine, agriculture and the use of plants in ritual and myth. The volume is multidisciplinary in its approach and includes studies ranging from anthropology, history, religious studies, medicine and medical humanities to folklore, literature, hermeneutics and philosophy.

Introduction Fabrizio M. Ferrari and Thomas Dahnhardt Section 1: Nature, Landscape, Devotion 1. A Modern Kalpavrk?a: Sathya Sai Baba and the Wish-fulfilling Tree Antonio Rigopoulos, Ca'Foscari University of Venice 2. "Pagoda Tree": Plants and Other Foliate Motifs on Indian Coins through History Shailendra Bhandare, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford 3. Divine Flora, Divine Love: The Place of Natural Scenery in the Ultimate Vision of Krsna Bhakti Graham M. Schweig, Christopher Newport University, USA Section 2: Devotion, Ecology, Ritual 4. Perfumed Islam: The Culture of Scent at the Nizamuddin Basti Mikko Viitamaki, University of Helsinki 5. The Bodhi Tree and Other Plants in the Pali Tipi?aka Antonella S. Comba, University of Turin 6. Wood, Water, and Waste: Material Aspects of Mortuary Practices in South Asia Albertina Nugteren, Tilburg University, The Netherlands Section 3: Ritual, Power, Myth 7. The Herbal Arsenal and Fetid Food: The Power of Plants in Early Tantric Exorcism Rituals Michael Slouber, Western Washington University, USA 8. Tree-Hugger: The Samavedic Rite of the Audumbari Finnian M.M. Gerety, Brown University and Harvard University Section 4: Myth, Food, Nature 9. Caryota Urens: From Vegetable Manifestation of God to Sacred Tree of the Lanjia Saoras Stefano Beggiora, Ca'Foscari University of Venice 10. Rice and Rice Culture. Cultivation and Worship of a Divine Plant in Western Odisha Uwe Skoda, Aarhus University, Denmark 11. Agriculture, Floriculture and Botanical Knowledge in a Middle Bengali Text Fabrizio M. Ferrari

  • Edited by Thomas Dahnhardt
  • Edited by Fabrizio M Ferrari