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Jala vijnana (Samskrit: जलविज्ञानम्) is the science of water, referred to as Hydrology in modern parlance. Ancient samskrit literature contains the most valuable and highly advanced scientific discourses on hydroscience, sadly unexplored to a great extent.
Jala vijnana (Samskrit: जलविज्ञानम्) is the science of water, referred to as Hydrology in modern parlance. Ancient samskrit literature contains the most valuable and highly advanced scientific discourses on hydroscience, sadly unexplored to a great extent. Natural forces such as the sun, moon, earth, rivers, ocean, wind, rain, water, agni have been worshipped both as physical entities as well as deities who played significant role in srsthi (creation) and sthiti (maintenance).
In vedas one can find references to the concept of loosely bound water molecules; Puranas mention that water is not created or destroyed and it undergoes a change of state through the various phases of water cycle. Earliest references to the process of raindrop formation, rainfall patterns, astronomical factors that affect rains, the chemical aspects such as evaporation, condensation, cloud formation, precipitation are all found interspersed in ancient texts, showcasing the technological advancement of Bharatavarsha.<ref name=":1" />
In vedas one can find references to the concept of loosely bound water molecules; Puranas mention that water is not created or destroyed and it undergoes a change of state through the various phases of water cycle. Earliest references to the process of raindrop formation, rainfall patterns, astronomical factors that affect rains, the chemical aspects such as evaporation, condensation, cloud formation, precipitation are all found interspersed in ancient texts, depicting the technological advancement of Bharatavarsha.<ref name=":1" />
== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
Brhat samhita discusses the ground water development and water quality methods. Driven by sound concepts, people of ancient Bharat could locate groundwater, analyze its distribution and had knowledge of reaching these water-tables to irrigate fields.
Brhat samhita discusses the ground water development and water quality methods. Driven by sound concepts, people of ancient Bharat could locate groundwater, analyze its distribution and had knowledge of reaching these water-tables to irrigate fields.
== States of Water ==
The three states of water are liquid, solid (ice) and vapour (steam). Linga Purana explains that water cannot be destroyed and only its state is changed.<blockquote>तोयस्य नास्ति वै नाशः तदैव परिवर्तते॥ ५४.३३॥ (Ling. Pura. 54.33)<ref>Linga Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_-_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0% Purvabhaga, Adhyaya 54])</ref></blockquote>
== Hydrology ==
== Hydrology ==
* Precipitation, cloud formation, measurement etc.
* Precipitation, cloud formation, measurement etc.
* Interception and Infiltration
* Interception and Infiltration
* Stream flow and Geomorphology
* Surface Water
* Ground Water
* Ground Water
* Water Quality and Purification
* Water Quality
* Water use and conservation.
* Water use and conservation.
A few of these topics are discussed below.
A few of these topics are discussed below.
=== दकार्गलम् ॥ Exploration of Water Springs ===
=== दकार्गलम् ॥ Exploration of Water Springs ===
Dakargalam, mean "Water-finding" (also called Jalargalam or Udakargalam), pertains to the science of exploration of water springs or underground water resources (जलौपलब्धिज्ञानम्). Brhat Samhita the celebrated book of Varahamihira is a treasure trove of ancient Bharat's technical advancements written in the early christian era. In here we find the detailed explanation about exploration of water veins beneath the earth's surface.<blockquote>धर्म्यं यशस्यं च वदाम्यतोऽहं दकार्गलं [क्.दगार्गलं] येन जलौपलब्धिः । पुंसां यथाङ्गेषु शिरास्तथैव क्षितावपि प्रोन्नतनिम्नसंस्थाः ।।</blockquote><blockquote>एकेन वर्णेन रसेन चाम्भश्च्युतं नभस्तो वसुधाविशेषात् । नानारसत्वं बहुवर्णतां च गतं परीक्ष्यं क्षितितुल्यमेव ।। (Brhat. Samh. 54.1-2)</blockquote>Meaning: I shall now explain the science of water-finding which is dharmika and brings renown, for it helps men to ascertain the existence of water. Just as there are veins in the human body, even so they exist, some higher up and some lower in the earth. The water that falls from the sky with the same color and taste, assumes various colors and tastes owing to the difference in the nature of the earth.<ref>Pt. V. Subrahmanya Sastri and M. Ramakrishna Bhat (1946) ''Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita with an English Translation and Notes.'' Bangalore: Electronic Printing Works. (Pages 458 and 459)</ref>
Dakargalam, mean "Water-finding" (also called Jalargalam or Udakargalam), pertains to the science of exploration of water springs or underground water resources (जलौपलब्धिज्ञानम्). Brhat Samhita the celebrated book of Varahamihira is a treasure trove of ancient Bharat's technical advancements written in the early christian era. In here we find the detailed explanation about exploration of water veins beneath the earth's surface.<blockquote>धर्म्यं यशस्यं च वदाम्यतोऽहं दकार्गलं [क्.दगार्गलं] येन जलौपलब्धिः । पुंसां यथाङ्गेषु शिरास्तथैव क्षितावपि प्रोन्नतनिम्नसंस्थाः ।।</blockquote><blockquote>एकेन वर्णेन रसेन चाम्भश्च्युतं नभस्तो वसुधाविशेषात् । नानारसत्वं बहुवर्णतां च गतं परीक्ष्यं क्षितितुल्यमेव ।। (Brhat. Samh. 54.1-2)</blockquote>Meaning: I shall now explain the science of water-finding which is dharmika and brings renown, for it helps men to ascertain the existence of water. Just as there are veins in the human body, even so they exist, some higher up and some lower in the earth. The water that falls from the sky with the same color and taste, assumes various colors and tastes owing to the difference in the nature of the earth.<ref>Pt. V. Subrahmanya Sastri and M. Ramakrishna Bhat (1946) ''Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita with an English Translation and Notes.'' Bangalore: Electronic Printing Works. (Pages 458 and 459)</ref>
=== Surface Water ===
Surface water bodies such as canals, ponds, wells, dams, tanks, lakes and rivers carried great importance since ancient times for providing water both for consumption and irrigation of fields. Construction of wells, lakes and ponds were considered as great acts of charity as jaladana was considered as an act of punya.
=== Water Uptake in Plants ===
=== Water Uptake in Plants ===
In Mahabharata, Shanti Parva we find references to how plants 'drink' water through their roots. The mechanism of water uptake by plants is explained by the example of water rising through a pipe. It is said that the water uptake process is facilitated by the conjunction of air.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>पादैः सलिलपानाच्च व्याधीनां चापि दर्शनात्। व्याधिप्रतिक्रियत्वाच्च विद्यते रसनं द्रुमे।। (Maha. Shan. Parv. 12.184.15)</blockquote><blockquote>वक्रेणोत्पलनालेन यथोर्ध्वं जलमाददेत्। तथा पवनसंयुक्तः पादैः पिबति पादपः।। (Maha. Shan. Parv. 12.184.16)</blockquote>Plants drink water through their roots; when they are afflicted with any disease they are treated by addition of medicine at the roots which cures them. This shows that they have the sense of taste (rasanendriya). Just like a person can draw water from the pipelike lotus stalk by the suction force of air, so also plants plants can draw up the water from its roots to the leaves with the help of air (like a pipe).<ref>Pt. Ramnarayanadatt Shastri () ''Mahabharata, Volume 5, Shanti Parva. Hindi Translation.'' Gorakhpur: Gita Press (Page 4894)</ref>
In Mahabharata, Shanti Parva we find references to how plants 'drink' water through their roots. The mechanism of water uptake by plants is explained by the example of water rising through a pipe. It is said that the water uptake process is facilitated by the conjunction of air.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>पादैः सलिलपानाच्च व्याधीनां चापि दर्शनात्। व्याधिप्रतिक्रियत्वाच्च विद्यते रसनं द्रुमे।। (Maha. Shan. Parv. 12.184.15)</blockquote><blockquote>वक्रेणोत्पलनालेन यथोर्ध्वं जलमाददेत्। तथा पवनसंयुक्तः पादैः पिबति पादपः।। (Maha. Shan. Parv. 12.184.16)</blockquote>Plants drink water through their roots; when they are afflicted with any disease they are treated by addition of medicine at the roots which cures them. This shows that they have the sense of taste (rasanendriya). Just like a person can draw water from the pipelike lotus stalk by the suction force of air, so also plants plants can draw up the water from its roots to the leaves with the help of air (like a pipe).<ref>Pt. Ramnarayanadatt Shastri () ''Mahabharata, Volume 5, Shanti Parva. Hindi Translation.'' Gorakhpur: Gita Press (Page 4894)</ref>
== Water Purification Practices ==
It is also interesting to note that there existed several methods for assessing and maintaining water quality and also treatment methods as revealed by the Vedas and also books on "Ayurveda". In Brihat-Samhita, written and compiled by Varahamihira, several methods for obtaining potable water from contaminated sources, using plants, metals and heat are described besides the purification process of ground water has been dealt with at length.<ref name=":2">S. Manasi and K. V. Raju (2012) ''Water - A Heritage Perspective.'' </ref>
A powder mix extracted from herbs like Anjan, Bhadramustha, Khas (vetiver), Amla (emblica officinalis, gooseberry) and Nirmali (bhui amla / kataka), was in use in measured quantities for purifying water in wells. Sushruta, the famous Indian physician provided a detailed practical guidance for water purification. He showed that with herbs and other natural substance muddy water could be purified, using Nirmali seeds, roots of Kamal (lotus/water lily), rhizomes of algae and three stones, Gomed (garnet) Moti (pearl) and Sphatik (quartz crystal). He suggested exposing contaminated water to the sun or immersing a red hot iron rod or hot sand in it, for purification purpose.<ref name=":2" />
{| class="wikitable"
|+Traditional Practices of safeguarding drinking water
!Use of Alum in Water
|Aluminium sulfate or Alum is used as an aflocculant for removing unwanted colour and turbidity from water supplies. It has been used since ancient times for this purpose and its use together with filtration is a standard practice in conventional water treatment processes around the world.
|-
!Using cloth for filtering
|In Dhoti method, a thin piece of cloth is used for filtering water
|-
!Keeping Tortoises in open wells
|Tortoises are known to have a much longer life span than humans. It has been a traditional practice particularly in India to keep tortoises in drinking water wells so that they feed on organisms harmful to humans while keeping water safe for drinking.
|-
!Use of Moringa Seeds
|Moringa tree seeds are crushed into powder and used as a water-soluble extract in suspension, resulting in an effective natural purification agent for highly turbid and untreated pathogenic surface water.
|-
!Rain water harvesting
|Harvesting rain water through simple filtration methods such as using cloth pieces.
|-
!Combination of local plant and filtration methods
|Raw water is filtered through powdered seeds of local plant materials including Moringa oleifera and Phyllanthus emblica—natural flocculants—and through coarse sand, charcoal, and gravel, which reduce the total aerobic mesophilic bacterial, E coli, coliform, pseudomonas, and yeast counts, and turbidity, consistent with World Health Organization acceptable standards for potable water.
|-
| colspan="2" |Source: <nowiki>http://hopebuilding.pbworks.com/w/page/19222829/Tamil-Nadu-group-finds-simple-way-to-purifydrinking-water</nowiki>
|}
It has been scientifically proved by researches that storing drinking water in brass vessels is good for health, a system which was also in practice in ancient times.
== Reference ==
== Reference ==
[[Category:Shastras]]
[[Category:Shastras]]
<references />
<references />