Fruits in Sanskrit
The term “fruit” covers many different areas; however, in botany, it refers to the mature reproductive body of flowering plants that have matured into maturity and produce fruit (the reproductive body).
In Ayurved literature, this phrase often refers to the results of one’s efforts or actions, such as reciting hymns or reading scripture, which can sow seeds that will reap benefits later on.
Apple
Apples have long been one of the world’s favorite fruits. Originating on the Malus pumila tree, apples feature red, yellow, or green skin with sweet to tart, crisp white flesh that ranges in flavor from sweet to tart and has sweet-tart flavor profiles.
Apples are an extremely versatile fruit, capable of being used in numerous ways. Not only are they an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, but they’re also rich in antioxidants, which may reduce heart disease risk while also helping lower cholesterol. In addition, apples provide an abundant supply of Vitamin C.
Apples have long been associated with various mythological and religious traditions. In Hinduism, apples symbolize immortality. Furthermore, it’s one of five elements needed for life as part of nature’s chain.
Sanskrit term for apple tree: Kashmiraphala). Introduced into India during the 17th century by Portuguese traders, this type of apple is today grown across northern states, including Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
According to Padma Purana, those who worship a Fig Tree before taking a bath are said to cleanse themselves of sins. Not only is the Fig Tree revered throughout India and Bhutan, but Tibetans call it “Long.” As ancient fruits go, these old fruits are an integral part of our culture and society.
Banana
The banana plant bears yellow, elongated fruit. A member of the flowering plant family Musaceae, it can be found throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America and provides food and fiber worldwide as an important crop. Furthermore, bananas provide essential sources of vitamins A, potassium, and magnesium.
The Banana is an icon in Indian culture and is widely recognized by various names. Not only is it eaten raw as part of daily meals in India, but it’s also widely used for making chutney, pickles, and curry – not forgetting sweet treats and desserts! In all honesty it has become part of every household here!
Sanskrit, which dates back to ancient Vedic period of Hinduism (c. 1500- 500 BCE), became the principal language in Jainism and Buddhism during their initial stages, making Sanskrit one of their sacred languages. Sanskrit evolved as an extremely refined version of proto-Indo-European, with grammar rules being established by Panini in the 4th century BCE scholar.
Panchatantra Fables are a literary genre in Sanskrit that consists of stories that often feature animals or birds as protagonists, usually with moral or educational messages. Typically, these tales focus on attaining Dharma, Artha, and Kama, not Moksha, as is commonly misunderstood.
Grapes
Grapes (drakes) are berries found on various vines belonging to the Genus Vitis. Grapes are commonly known as raisins.
Sanskrit word drake (strawberry) has its origins in Persian and Arabic roots, which may ultimately derive from Proto-Indo-Iranian *draHgzhaH, cognate to Albanian dredhez (“strawberry”) as well as Latin from (“strawberry”) and Greek known (“kiwi”).
Ayurved texts such as Caraka-samhita and Susruta-samhita identify Vitis vinifera Marshall as “draaksha,” an ornamental woody vine belonging to the Vitidaceae family that grows abundantly throughout humid forests and streamsides in India.
Ancient India enjoyed dried-up fruits as an everyday food source and dried them out for preservation, first mentioned in the Kottaka-sutra dating from the 3rd century B.C. The Kottaka-sutra said this activity, along with numerous fruits being grown in gardens, orchards, and on the edges of jungles, wild fruits were also collected and transported back into cities for sale.
Pindesana, the canonical text for Jainism, mentions drinks as one of 21 types of liquids to consider when accepting or rejecting them as food items for Jain mendicants. Furthermore, Nilamatapurana says it as part of King Syama and Queen Pannamay’s diet, according to verse 797 ff.
Orange
Orange is an iconic hue, whether from citrus fruit or its beverages bearing its name. It originated in Sanskrit – an ancient Indian language dating back to 4 millennium BCE – as naranga, meaning “fruit.” Eventually, this word traveled through Persian and Arabic before finally making its way across Europe as Old French orange and eventually English orange.
Orange stands out among English language words by being one of only ten that does not rhyme. But its uniqueness stems from how its evolution.
Orange wasn’t always associated with color; before colonialism, it was imported from China through trade routes that reached Europe via trade. This fact can be seen by its presence in many northern European languages – German Apfelsine and Dutch Sinaasappel being two such examples that translate directly to “Chinese apple.”
Oranges have also become an iconic fruit among Hindus, adorning many religious ceremonies as an offering to the gods and regularly consumed for good health – their leaves being placed outside doors during festivals like Diwali and Ugadi to protect from evil forces. The word has even made appearances in science fiction works! As for real oranges, though, many varieties exist from which one may choose. These varieties include Hebrew () and the Latin alphabet (naranja), and they are featured prominently in science fiction works such as Star Trek (epis). Furthermore, their roots can also be seen throughout science fiction works such as Star Trek (naranja), with both having various meanings depending on language options (or lack thereof). They’ve even found it in science fiction, where it stands in some science fiction works while being venerated fruit among Hindus, where religious ritual offerings of fruits like these are taken daily by Hindus themselves for health benefits! Mango leaves are placed outside homes during festivals like Diwali/Ugadi/Vat V/V/ V/v/vai/v/Vai/Ugadi to protect against evil.
Peach
Peaches are an edible fruit with multiple uses and symbolic significance in Hinduism, including fertility and prosperity. Furthermore, peach branches are frequently included as an offering to deities during religious rituals and ceremonies; their Sanskrit name for “peach” is “phala.”
Astrologically speaking, peaches are associated with Jupiter as they were once believed to resemble giant peaches – thus inspiring its name as a fruit! Today, though, peaches remain popular foodstuffs and delectable summer treats, providing vitamin A as well as antioxidants that are proven effective against cancer and heart disease.
Sanskrit also gives us the term jungle, which refers to any area overgrown with thick vegetation and wild terrain. The word comes from “jangala,” which translates as an uncultivated piece of land or waterless spot in Sanskrit.
Bhojanakutuhala wrote the 17th-century work Saka-prakarana, detailing all types of vegetables. He organized them according to plant parts and fruit (phala). Dadima, amalaka, draksa and parusaka fall under this category of fruits (phala). Additionally, he included a list of substances beneficial to health, such as guava, mango, and tamarind, that also made an appearance in this work.
Pear
Pears, the fruit of the Callery pear tree (Pyrus calleryana), has many health benefits that include improving digestion, detoxification, and strengthening immunity. Furthermore, pear- raw or as a juice- can reduce oxidative stress as well as protect against heart disease while maintaining blood sugar levels in diabetics. Finally, pear may help prevent respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic coughing by aiding respiratory processes.
Persian invaders introduced grapevines to India approximately 6000-8000 years ago, sparking the birth of winemaking culture here. Grapes are known in Sanskrit as (draksha).
Cherry is another fruit we enjoy today in India, having originated in central America and being introduced by Mughal Emperor Akbar into our diets through Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. However, care must be taken when giving them to young children or elderly individuals as this fruit could have potentially severe digestive side effects that require extra precaution.
