Chapter 7 - Superiority of Jāti Flower

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: ^[1].—Though the title of the chapter proposes to emphasize the importance of Jāti flowers (Jasminum grandiflorum), the author recommends a rich variety of flowers (and leaves) liked by Viṣṇu (vv 3-13).

Brahmā said:

1. O Lord of Devas, recount the effieacy of the different varieties of flowers and the respective benefits obtained by men (through them).

Śrī Bhagavān Said:

2. Listen, O my son. I shall recount the efficacy of flowers as well as the names of flowers which undoubtedly give me great delight.

3-5. They are Mallikā, Mālatī, Yūthikā and Atimuktakā (all varieties of Jasmine), Pāṭala (Trumpet flower), Karavīra (Oleander), Jayantī (Sesbania aegyptiace), Vijayā (a variety of the former) (Terminalia chebula), Kubjaka Stabaka (Trapa bispinosa), Karṇikāra (Cathartocarpus fistula), Kuraṇṭaka (Yellow amaranth), Caṃpaka (Michelia campaka), Cātaka (?), Kunda (Jasmine), Bāṇa (Saccharum sara), Karcūra (Turmeric mallika) (Jasminum zambae), Aśoka, Tilaka (Clerodendrum phlomoides) and Aparayūthikā (a variety of Jasmine). These flowers are auspicious in my worship, O son.

6. The following cause immediate pleasure to the: Ketakī flowers and leaves (Pandanus odoratissimus), Bhṛṅgarāja and Tulāsī leaves and flowers.

7. Lotuses growing in water, red and blue lilies and white lily-all these are my great favourites in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa.

8. Only those flowers which have good colour, taste and fragrance are excellent (for me), O my son.

9. Those without fragrance are also considered by me (tolerably) good. Other fragrant flowers except Ketakī (are also good).

10-11. Bāṇa, Caṃpaka, Aśoka, Karavīra, Yūthikā, Pāribhadra (Erythena fulgens), Pāṭalā, Bakula (Mimusops elengi), Giriśālinī, Bilva leaves, Śamī leaves, Bhṛṅgarāja leaves, Tamāla and Āmalakī leaves (Emblic myrobalan)—all these are excellent for my worship, O son.

12. I should be worshipped with forest flowers or leaves from mountains. They should not be stale (i.e. much time should not have elapsed after plucking). They must not have holes in them. No insect should stick to them. Before worship they must be sprinkled with water.

13. I can be worshipped with flowers from parks and gardens too. If I am worshipped with flowers of excellent quality, the merit shall be greater.

14. By offering flowers in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, a man obtains that merit which people get by giving ten gold pieces to a deserving person endowed with good conduct, penance and mastery over the Vedas.

15. If a single Droṇa flower (probably of Leucas linifolia) is offered to me, one gets more than the merit obtained by giving ten gold pieces, O son.{GL_NOTE::}

16-19. Know from me the difference between flower and flower. Khādira (Acacia catechu) is better ṃan thousands of Droṇa flowers. Śamī flower is better than a thousand Khādira flowers. Bilva flower is better ṃan thousands of Śamī flowers. Baka flower (Sesbana grandiflora?) is better than thousands of Bilva flowers. Nandyāvarta is better than thousands of Baka flowers. Karavīra (oleander) is better than a thousand Nandyāvarta flowers.

20-24. Śveta flower (white bignonia? MW) is better ṃan a thousand Karavīra flowers. Palāśa flower is better than a thousand Śveta flowers. Kuśa flower is better ṃan a thousand Palāśa flowers. Vanamālā (wild Jasmine?) is better ṃan a thousand Kuśa flowers, Caṃpaka is better than a thousand Vanamālā flowers. Aśoka flower is better than a hundred Caṃpaka flowers. Śevantī flower is better than a thousand Aśoka flowers. Kujaka flower is better ṃan a thousand Śevantī flowers. Mālatī flower (Jasmine) is better than a thousand Kuja flowers. Sandhyā flower (Jasminum grandiflorum) is better than a thousand Mālatī flowers.

25-28. Trisandhyā flower (Hibiscus rosa sinensis) is better than a thousand Sandhyā flowers. Trisandhyā Śveta flower is better than a thousand Trisandhyā red flowers. Kunda flower (Jasmine, Jasminum multiflorum) is better than a thousand Trisandhyā Śveta flowers. Jāti flower (Jasminum grandiflorum) is better ṃan a thousand Kunda flowers. Jāti flower is better than all other flowers. Listen to the merit of the man who duly offers to me a very splendid garland having a ṃousand Jāti flowers.

29-33. He lives in my city thousands of crores of Kalpas and hundreds of crores of Kalpas. He will have the power and valour equal to that of mine. If the flowers are excellent for my worship, their leaves too are good. If they are not available, the fruits (can be used). By worshipping me with these flowers, leaves, and fruits one obtains the benefit of offering ten gold pieces. If people worship me in the Mārgaśīrṣa month with these flower varieties, I grant them devotion on being pleased. There is no doubt about it. Propitiated by these flowers, O Lord of Devas, I grant them wealth, sons, wives, and whatever they may desire.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

VV 15-28 give the gradation of flowers in importance as liked by Viṣṇu. Though these are said to be pleasing to Viṣṇu in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, works on Pūjā recommend them in other months as well.