“O Grandisre Bhishma! Human beings worship divine bodies by lighting lamp, and burning incense sticks and eatables. Kindly enlighten me about it.” asked Dharmaja.
“O Dharmaja! What you have asked now, was previously told by
Sukra Acharya to Emperor Bali;
“O Dharmaja! What you have asked now, was previously told by
Sukra Acharya to Emperor Bali;
Bali to Manuvu;
Mavunu to Saint Suvarna;
Suvarna to Narada; and
Narada in turn told Bheeshma.
On this earth, herbs are the best plants. Amongst the herbal plants, flowering plants are best of all. Those who worship divine bodies with flowers, they flourish. Therefore, flowers are called Sumanas. If divine bodies are worshipped with flowers they bless the humans and fulfil their desires. Therefore, divine bodies are called Sumanaskas. Flowers with good colour and fragrance, collected from thornless plants are best for worshipping deities. Deities receive such flowers with great plelasure.
Lotus flowers, Jaji flowers, Tulasi leaves are liked by deities. Yakshas like flowers from water. Flowers with pungent smell, collected from thorny bushes are used for Mantras and Tantrik activities intended to kill enemies. Flowers with pungent smell are liked by devils and demons. Humans like flowers with white and black colours with sweet smell.
Ladies shall not use flowers collected from temples and burial grounds. Before worshipping deities, lighting lamp is compulsory. Lighting lamp drives away darkness from the place of worship. It also denotes driving away ignorance from our mind. Lighting lamp with cow ghee is best.
I now tell you about offerings. After preparing food items, one should offer them to deities and then consume. Food not offered to God amounts to demon’s food. For Nagas, Yakshas and Asuras, food mixed with blood and flesh, coupled with wine is dearest.” said Bhishma.
“O Grandsire! what are the results that would flow by offering flowers, incense sticks, lamps and offerings to diving bodies.” asked Dharmaja.
“O Dharmanandana! In the past, there was a king called Nahusha. He had no pride or arrogance. He worshipped divine bodies with great devotion by offering flowers, incense sticks, lamps and fruits and food items. He also worshipped Pitaras in the same manner by offering Tarpanas. He also worshipped Rakshasas, Yakshas, Bhootas, Bhujangas, with flowers and other offerings. Hence, Nahusha attained the highest position as Devendra. He was fortunate to be carried in a chariot driven by seven saints. He also visited the Brahma assembly. All this happened only due to his daily Pooja ritual. But due to his small mistake of eyeing on the wife of Indra, he had fallen on earth in the form of a python. On account of conversation with you only, he could regain his original status. O Dharmaja! lighting lamp before God is greatest of all. How long you keep the lamp before God, so many years you remain in heaven.” said Bhishma.
Lotus flowers, Jaji flowers, Tulasi leaves are liked by deities. Yakshas like flowers from water. Flowers with pungent smell, collected from thorny bushes are used for Mantras and Tantrik activities intended to kill enemies. Flowers with pungent smell are liked by devils and demons. Humans like flowers with white and black colours with sweet smell.
Ladies shall not use flowers collected from temples and burial grounds. Before worshipping deities, lighting lamp is compulsory. Lighting lamp drives away darkness from the place of worship. It also denotes driving away ignorance from our mind. Lighting lamp with cow ghee is best.
I now tell you about offerings. After preparing food items, one should offer them to deities and then consume. Food not offered to God amounts to demon’s food. For Nagas, Yakshas and Asuras, food mixed with blood and flesh, coupled with wine is dearest.” said Bhishma.
“O Grandsire! what are the results that would flow by offering flowers, incense sticks, lamps and offerings to diving bodies.” asked Dharmaja.
“O Dharmanandana! In the past, there was a king called Nahusha. He had no pride or arrogance. He worshipped divine bodies with great devotion by offering flowers, incense sticks, lamps and fruits and food items. He also worshipped Pitaras in the same manner by offering Tarpanas. He also worshipped Rakshasas, Yakshas, Bhootas, Bhujangas, with flowers and other offerings. Hence, Nahusha attained the highest position as Devendra. He was fortunate to be carried in a chariot driven by seven saints. He also visited the Brahma assembly. All this happened only due to his daily Pooja ritual. But due to his small mistake of eyeing on the wife of Indra, he had fallen on earth in the form of a python. On account of conversation with you only, he could regain his original status. O Dharmaja! lighting lamp before God is greatest of all. How long you keep the lamp before God, so many years you remain in heaven.” said Bhishma.
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