• Dr.D.A.Patil

Saint Samarth Ramdas Swami (c.1608-c.1682) was devotee of Lord Rama and Hanuman, and philosopher, poet, mystic spiritual master in the state of Maharashtra. He wrote extensive literature, Dasbodh is one of them. A chapter called ‘Bag Prakaran’ is replete with many vernacular plant names which appeared worth to decode and equate with the modern botanical science. It contained 28 couplets and included various number of vernacular plant names in old Marathi language. These are unmasked revealing 246 plant taxa pertaining to 244 species, 172 genera and 81 families. Botanical details regarding botanical name, habits and status (wild or cultivated) are revealed. They are also gauged for their potentialities. Saint Ramdas developed a garden in which he appeared to have introduced all such plant species. He thus appeared conscious about biodiversity conservation in those days. This account may help reveal history of biodiversity status and composition of this region in Maharashtra (India).

Dasbodh, Bag Prakaran, Saint Ramdas, Biodiversity, Ecocriticism

"Biodiversity Unlocked From Saint Samarth Ramdasa’s Dasbodh", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 3, page no.d248-d269, March-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2603332.pdf

"Biodiversity Unlocked From Saint Samarth Ramdasa’s Dasbodh", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 3, page no. ppd248-d269, March-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2603332.pdf