Wide spread use of Tambula (Popularly known as “pan”) in
Indian culture was best described by Shree M. Gowda, the Deputy Superintendent,
Government Gardens, Lal Bagh, Bangalore, in his monograph on “The story of pan
chewing in India” which got published in BOTANICAL MUSEUM LEAFLETS, Harvard
university in 1951. He writes, “there is no ceremony, there is no occasion,
there is not a day in an Indian's life where the pan does not play its part.
The happiest part of honeymoons, the happiest part of married life is spent
over pan. The young couples, on the day's work well done, retreating to their
seclusion after meals, talk out their hearts and pour out their affection while
the bashful young wife prepares pan quid with selected leaves. The parents, in
Indian families, plan out and discuss the day's outcome of work, the family
affairs, children, their education, over pan; while children cluster about
grandmother to hear fairy stories at leisure over her pan.” In the concluding
remarks he writes, “pan is chiefly used for chewing or for social purposes,
rather than as a narcotic or a drug”.
There was a widespread belief that Tambula confer
numerous health benefits. Perhaps this belief has emerged from various ancient
texts. An ancient medical compendium “Yogaratnakara” lists thirteen benefits of
consumption of Tambula; it removes
bad odor in the mouth: it expels phlegm; it expels flatulence; it expels worms;
it beautifies the mouth; it helps digestion; it is sour; it is bitter; it is
heating; it is sweet; it is salt; it is astringent; and it excites desire.
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| Thirteen attributes of Tambula described in “Yogaratnakara” |
The same has been quoted in Prastāvaratnakara composed
by Haridasa, Rājanighaņtu written by Narahari, Jyotirnibandha by Sivadāsa, and
the Suktimuktavali by Jalhaņa composed in 1257 CE (common era). However, one of the earliest
literatures describing the good qualities of Tambula is found in charter 77 of
the Brhatsamhita of Varāhamihira believed to be written in 500 CE in Sanskrit. It
says, “Tambula stimulates love, sets off the physical charm, creates
popularity, gives good smell to the mouth, strengthens the body and dispels
diseases arising from the phlegm”.
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| Charter 77 of the Brhatsamhita of Varāhamihira (CE 500) |
