Kasvivaha

Kasvivaha is a term found in Sanskrit-language texts with limited and debated attestation. The word appears to be a compound of kasvi, commonly interpreted as herb or plant, and vaha, meaning bearer or carrier. In the few passages where kasvivaha occurs, it is used to denote an act or type of procession involving herbs or medicinal plants, typically within a ceremonial or ritual context.

Scholars differ on its exact sense. Some interpret kasvivaha as referring to the conveyance or delivery of sacred or therapeutic plants to a ritual site, temple, or altar, possibly as part of an offering or healing rite. Others suggest a broader meaning related to plant-based offerings or a specific procedure for presenting herbs used in medicines or rites. Because the term is not widely attested in major canonical collections, its interpretation remains tentative.

Dating and provenance are uncertain, and kasvivaha is generally discussed as a lexical and ritual-linguistic note rather than a well-documented practice with extensive textual evidence. Its precise scope—whether botanical, medicinal, or ceremonial—has not been firmly established in mainstream Sanskrit scholarship.

See also: Sanskrit ritual vocabulary, Ayurveda, plant terminology in Sanskrit, ritual processions.

References: Only a few isolated references appear in secondary sources; for a clearer understanding, consult specialized Sanskrit lexicons and studies focused on ritual terminology and plant-related terms in ancient Indian literature.