नामरूपज्ञानम् (Characterization of Medicinal Plants) /18

nyms for a single item. on the other hand, there are
instances where a single synonym is applied to dif- VI -
 
nyms for a single item. on the other hand, there are
instances where a single synonym is applied to dif-

ferent entities. They are called naighaṇṭuka and

aikapadika respectively.
 

 
Ancients were keen observers of Nature and

coined exact synonyms to designate specific charac-

ters of plants. For instance, the name 'karbudāra' for

kāñcanāra coined by Caraka suggests the variegated

character of one of the petals (कर्बुरं चित्रितं दलमस्य) on

which the Latin name Bauhinia variegata is based.
 

 
As synonyms were the only tools for describing

the plants the process was continuous and new syno-

nyms were coined from time to time. This is evi-

dent from going through different texts in historical

perspective. Some instances are given here. For

harītaki, abhayā and pathyā are used as synonyms

by Caraka while cetakī and prāṇadā are seen only

in Astangahrṣṭāṅgahṛdaya not in other two great samhitas
ṃhitās
which proves their later development. sSimilarly.

'kāśmīrajanmā' for kunṅkuma is used in Astanṣṭāṅga-
hr
hṛdaya first which indicates the cultivation of saf-

fron in Kashmir by that time.
 

 
The process continued further in medieval period

and apart from addition of new drugs and plants new

synonyms were coined to indicate the particular

characters observed during that period. The synonym

'goharitakiī' for bilva found in Kaiyadevanighāṇtu

indicates its prevalent use in veterinary practice.