Importance of Vanamulikas

Importance of Vanamulikas (herbal & medicinal plants) and Cows for a healthy and happy life:-

The sacred “Vanamulikas” available on Aushadi Parvatham (mountain) situated between Kailash and Nandi Parvathams (mountains) in the Himalayas. It is considered that there is no Kailasam without Nandi, Rushulu, and Eeshwarudu. The herbs grown at Pragati transform the place into Kailasam.

Vanamulikas and cows help in the creation of Vyadirahitha Samajam. In the good old days, the cows were allowed to move freely in the gardens and forests where they grazed on vanamulikas or medicinal plants. These became part of the milk the cows provided, and secured the health of the people consuming this milk. In the present times, where cows are fed grass with no medicinal value, and tied all day to remain in cow sheds provide milk that has neither nutritional or medicinal value.

At Pragati, the Desi cows are reared and allowed free to graze at our medicinal and herbal gardens. This means a healthy cow and nutritious milk from cows. Exercise and activity is good for cows and humans as well. Due to lack of exercise and activity it is leading to dangerous diseases and health problems. The increasing number of caesarean operations in women in the modern time is basically due to inactivity and sedentary life during pregnancy time.

Cows should be reared in open farms with lots medicinal and herbal plants. There is an inordinate link between herbs and cows, as the herbs they each reaches humans and plants through milk, cow ghee, cow urine and cow dung. When cows move around in nature and graze on different plants and herbs, they are very selective in choosing the right type of plants. In the recent decades, we have witnessed the drastic fall in the number of Punganoor cows. This is because of their death during delivery as the cows have been kept in one place, fed there, with no movement at all.

The knowledge of this inter-relationship between cows, trees and humans need to be understood and the cows and plants need to be protected. Our ancestors have visualized this inordinate link between cows and nature and passed it to generations to come. However, the modern methods of farming have brought ruin of health, happiness and peace due to discontinuity of providing free movement to the cows and their grazing on medicinal and herbal plants.

The Vanamulikas include 21 patrikas which are the Aarogya Pradatas and Prana Pradatas. These vanamulikas were used by our ancestors for ages to safeguard and protect the health of individuals and society. The Vinayaka Chavithi festival celebrates the importance of nature and vanamulikas in our lives. Each and every person should know the importance of vanamulikas for a happy and healthy life. The 21 patrikas or medicinal plants include Machipati, Vakudaku, Maredu, Garika, Ummettha, Regu, Uttareni, Tulasi, Mamidaku, Ganneru, Vishnu Kanthi, Danimma, Devadaru, Maruvam, Vavili, Jajiaaku, Devakanchanam, Jammiaaku, Ravi aaku, Tellamaddi and Jilledu.

We have a definite answer for questions like, why are flowers offered to gods? The flowers and leaves have the aroma on inhaling which the toxins in the body are removed. The “Vyadirahitha Samajam” is established only because of herbs. When flowers and leaves are brought into the house “Intillipadi” get the benefit of health and happiness. The whole village or town is benefited when flowers and leaves are arranged in temples.

It is said that, “Kaligitta Dhuli Tagilithe Bhoomi Phulakarishtundi” (With the touch of cow’s hoof the Earth is enriched and enlightened). It means that the Cow’s touch forms humus. The importance of humus is that it converts minerals of the Earth into food. All parts of the Cow when in contact with the Earth forms humus. When the Cow is fed with Til and Gud….. for 8 days, on the 9^th day the cow gives milk rich in DHA that can treat diabetes and other health problems. So Cows help in removing Grahadosha. If you offer “Navadanyas” to the cow, it will remove all health problems with milk getting enhanced with “Sapthadhatus.” If the body has all the Sapthadhatus there can be no scope for all health problems. Even if diseases are there, they are cured.

Pragati aims to bring back the rich culture and traditions of India. For example, honey has no expiry date. There are 5 substances that do not change with change, as time passes these become highly valued herbs – Honey, Cow Ghee, Gud, Rice and Imli. We have forgotten these and there needs to be comprehensive thinking in this direction. Pragati’s efforts are only few drops in the ocean, and there is much more that Pragati can give people of Andhra Pradesh get benefitted a role model state to follow.