The deities become gratified with the scent of flowers

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Flowers are of diverse kinds. Some are wild, some are from trees that grow in

the midst of human habitations; some belong to trees that never grow unless

planted on well-tilled soil; some are from trees growing on mountains; some are

from trees that are not prickly; and some from trees that are prickly.

Fragrance, beauty of form, and taste also may offer grounds of classification.

The scent that flowers yield is of two kinds, agreeable and disagreeable. Those

flowers that emit agreeable scent should be offered to the deities. The flowers

of trees that are destitute of thorns are generally white in hue. Such flowers

are always acceptable to the deities. One possessed of wisdom should offer

garlands of aquatic flowers, such as the lotus and the like, unto the Gandharvas

and Nagas and Yakshas. Such plants and herbs as produce red flowers, as are

possessed of keen scent, and as are prickly, have been laid down in the

Atharvana as fit for all acts of incantation for injuring foes. Such

flowers as are possessed of keen energy, as are painful to the touch, as grow

on trees and plants having thorns, and as are either blood-red or black, should

be offered to (evil) spirits and unearthly beings. Such flowers as gladden the

mind and heart, as are very agreeable when pressed, and as are of beautiful

form, have been said to be worthy of being offered to human beings. Such flowers

as grow on cemeteries and crematoria, or in places dedicated to the deities,

should not be brought and used for marriage and other rites having growth and

prosperity for their object, or acts of dalliance and pleasure in secrecy. Such

flowers as are born on mountains and in vales, and as are agreeable in scent and

aspect, should be offered unto the deities. Sprinkling them with sandal paste,

such agreeable flowers should be duly offered according to the ordinances of the

scriptures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The deities become gratified with the scent of flowers; the yakshas and

Rakshasas with their sight, the Nagas with their touch; and Human beings with

all three, viz., scent, sight and touch. Flowers, when offered to the deities

gratify them immediately. They are capable of accomplishing every object by

merely wishing its accomplishment. As such, when gratified with devotees

offering them flowers, they cause all the objects cherished by their worshippers

to be immediately accomplished. Gratified, they gratify their worshippers.

Honoured, they cause their worshippers to enjoy all honours. Disregarded and

insulted, they cause those vilest of men to be ruined and consumed.

 

 

 

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