Essay name: Devi Tantra, Mantra, Yantra (study)
Author:
Srider Basudevan Iyer
Affiliation: University of Mumbai / Sanskrit, University Department
This essay studies the history of Devi (the Goddess) in relation with worship using Tantra, Yantra and Mantra. The study explores the concept of the 'Female Principle' or Goddess, examining her role and significance in ancient Indian society.
Chapter 4 - Worship and The Worshipper
56 (of 95)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Worship & worshipper 357 The NT does not mention when and how these flowers are to be used
and we do not have any substantial evidential information of the function
about such a caste-wise classification. It might be this code of conduct was
in vogue during imitation or may be when a sadhaka offers community
worship.
Another type of the floral classification is given in the SVT104 where it is
stated that flowers are of five types and the benefit of offering particular
flowers. According to the sages like N膩rada etc... flowers are of five types -
the golden flowers, the one from different coloured clothes, the one from
trees, bushes and creepers, leaves and one from water and; the one with
fruits. The gradation of the flowers is listed as follows-
Sno.
Flower type.
Grade.
1 Golden flowers
The supreme
2 Made of coloured cloth
Not so good
3 From trees, bushes and creepers
Best
4 Leaf and water
Inferior
5 Fruit bearing
Medicore
The flowers made of cloth can be seen adorning the deities of the
Vaisnavaites. The Vaisnavites put a sort of silken knotted garlands over their
deities. The flowers in the real sense are those flowering on trees, bushes and
creepers. The SVT105 states that, though made of gold, once the flowers are
offered to the goddess, their pristine purity is lost. They cannot be reused so
the flowers with pollen and nectar alone are to be used. The following ten
104 SVT ch. XIX
105 SVT ch. XIX
