Other Flowers from Slokas, Songs etc..

As we all know, flowers are an integral part of religious worship in the Vedic religion. Flowers are also worn by women (and men) in their hair to enhance the fragrance of their hair. Several different oils are extracted with the perfumes of flowers and used too. While the general rule is to offer any of the fragrant flowers and or leaves during the religious service(s), various Sanskrit works, carnatic songs etc.. (similar to Azhwar pasurams) have mentioned different flowers (which were in existence at that time) , which are the most suitable for worship. Let's take a peek at the flowers, mentioned in Lalitha Sahasranama, and Mantra Mathruka Pushpamala stotra(s).

With all the religious glories of Lalitha 1000, which was blessed by none other than Sri Hayagreeva to Agasthya Muni , this highlights the Saguna form of worship of Paradevtaha. While writing about Lalitha 1000 is much beyond the scope of this article, let's take a peek at the flowers, which are mentioned in this magnanimous work. Divine mother is envisioned as Prakruthi or nature itself, and obviously worshipers of Sri Lalithambika will be nature lovers, gardeners etc..

Now, let's take a peek @ the flowers mentioned in the glorious work of Lalitha 1000.In general, the flowers mentioned in Lalitha 1000 can be logically grouped into the following categories. Some of them are adorned by her, come are used to compare the tenderness of her body (like feet, hands etc..) and some her color and others are associated with the great cities of her residence.



Flowers used in decoration:

• Champakasoka – punnaga-sowgandhika- lasath kacha – She who wears in her hair flowers like Champaka,Ashoka, Punnaga and Sowgandhika

Champaka

Punnaga

Sowgandhika

Ashoka - Saraca asoca

Flowers used in Comparison:

•  Nava champaka –pushpabha-nasa dhanda virajitha - One, who has a nose like a freshly blossomed Chapaka flower.
• Kadambha manjari kluptha karna poora manohara – One who has beautiful ears like the kadamba flowers
• Bisa thanthu thaniyasi – One who is as thin as the thread from lotus 
• Maha kamesha nayana kumudahladha kaumudhi – One who is like the full moon which opens the lotus like eyes of Lord Kameshwara
• Dhadimi kusuma prabha -One whose color is like the pomegranate bud
• Mrinala mrudhu dhorllatha – One who has arms as tender as lotus stalk
• Bhandhooka kusuma prakhya – One who has the glitter of bhandhooka flowers
• Japapushpa nibhakrithi – One who has the color of hibiscus

Bandhooka - pentapetes phoenicea

Japa - Hibiscus

Kumuda -

Note: Ambal's nose is compared to a freshly blossomed champaka flower (not fully opened). Her ears to a Kadamba floer (may be for the diamond ear rings etc.). For her color rising sun, sindoora, Dadimi or pomogranete flowers, Banduka flowers and reddish hibiscus flowers are all compared. Her arms tot he stalk to the stem of a lotus flower.

Flowers of Interest:

• Kadambha kusuma priya – One who likes the flowers of Kadamba tree
• Champeya kusuma priya – One who likes the flowers of Champaka tree
• Patali kusuma priya – One who likes the flowers of Patali tree
• Mandhara kusuma priya – One who likes the flowers of Mandhara tree

Mandara - Bauhinia vahlii

Champeya - Plumeria rubra (or Michelia Champaka)

Patali - Stereospermum colais

Kadamba -

Flowers related to  residence(S):

• Maha padmadavi samstha – One who lives in the forest of lotus flowers (Thruvanai Kaval is called as Maha Padmadavee)
• Kadambha vana vasini – One who lives in the forest of Kadmbha (Madurai city is also called Kadambha vana)
• Srimad vagbhava koodaiga swaroopa mukha pankaja - One who has the Vaghbhava kootam as her lotus of face.
• Sahararambhujarooda - One who resides in the Lotus with 1000 petals.

Flowers Mentioned in Uthara Bhagam or Phala Sruthi

The fol. sloka or verse(s) in Uthata Bhagam of Lalitha 1000 mentions a variety of lowers to be used in her service:

Padma

Thulasi

Kalhaara

Kadamba

Champaka

Jathee

Mallika

Karaveera

Uthpala

Bilva Dhala

Kunda

Kesara

Patala

Kethaki

Madhavi

All other fragrant flowers

21 Flowers for Ganesh Puja

As seen earlier like these 21 flowers also are of great significance. Each of them possesses a unique aroma or fragrance, which is capable of healing etc. Most of these flowers are also used in Devi Puja, and other Pujas. Most of these may not be available commercially in the market and should be collected from meadows, private gardens etc.

Note: Most of these flowers do not bear fruits (like hibiscus, kunda, jati,chrysanthemum) or  are collected from the ground after they have fallen on the ground (like vakula, parijata) or have other modes of vegetative propagation (like Punna etc..) or they produce substantial amount of flowers so that, collecting a little bit of them shouldn't harm or hurt the plants. In general (unless for special occasions) flowers like mums or hibiscus are preferred as we don't harm the plant or do not offer the pollinated flowers to Lord. Also, these flowers should be ideally collected  early in the morning before 6.00 AM, when they are not in full bloom to avoid, bees, etc.. Usually mango flowers aren't collected (unless for this Puja etc.)


Punnaga (Punnai) - Calophyllum inophyllum

This glower has the glory of being mentioned n Azwar Paasurams, Lalitha 1000 and also used for this Pooja. Punna tree, looks like a laurel tree and it's seeds are used for oil extraction.

Arka (Erukku) -  Calotropis procera

Note: As ween in the third picture, beautiful garlands could be made of these petals and the stigma. Usually the white colored variety is used in pujas. Root, leaves, latex, and flowers are all medicinal. It is used in treating snake poisons etc. They also possess purgative qualities.

Mandaara - bauhinia variegata

Note:  There were white, yellow and red versions of this flower. Usually for Ganesha/ Shiva white are preferred. and for Ambal it's yellow. Red ones, are not usually used for Pujas.

Vakula (Mahizham) - Mimusops elengi

Note:  This is a tree and produces small and sweet smelling flowers. Even the fruits of this tree are tasty (Mexican Plum). Strings of garlands are made out of this flower and offered to all Gods. (of the 12 azwars Sri Nammazhvar calls himself as Vakulabarana Nayaki in his songs.)Since this is big tree, usually the flowers are withered and collected from the ground.Fruits,flowers, bark and leaves are used in Ayurvedic preparations.

Amrunaalam (Vetiver)

Note:  The roots of this grass are fragrant and dark in color. They are used in garlands etc.. and also added to fire as incense + water as a flavoring agent. This is also used to decorate the hair of Gods/Godesses.

Patalee (Padiri) -Stereospermum tetragonum 

Note:  The root of this tree is one of the components of Dasha Moola ristam , an Ayurvedic medicinal preparation for good health. This tree or flowers are being referred in most of the Vedic and Puranic scriptures.

Drona (Thumbai) - Leucas aspera

Note:  These beautiful flowers are also very important in Shiva Pooja. They also attract butterflies , while in full bloom after the monsoon seasons. They can be easily propagated using seeds. They are found abundantly in open lands after the rains. The leaves of this plant are supposed to have medicinal qualities and can cure cold etc.. The entire plant can be extracted as a juice and consumed for cold, cough, fever etc.. No need for any harmful pills.

Durthaara(Umathai) - Datura discolor

Senpakam - Champaka - Michelia champaca

This could grow to be a big tree and they climb on the tree to collect the flowers. Oils, extracts are made from these flowers. Buds of this flower is(unblossomed) are used in making facial and body treatment powders.

Rasasa (Maa) - Azadaracta indica 

Note: Mango flowers aren't usually collected. They flower in the Spring/ summer seasons April-May. So, only certain species of Mangoes produce flowers during this Aug-Sep. season. The dried / withered flowers are consumed as an ailment for diabetes etc.

Ketaki (Thaazhai) - Pandanus fascicularis

Note: These plants belong to the Pandanus family and they grow on the river banks etc.. , where there is more water. They can be found all over Southern India, East India etc.. They bear a beautiful fragrance. The extract from this flower is used in flavoring food items (Kewda). And these flowers are offered to Ambal, Vishnu etc.. But these flowers aren't offered to Shiva, due to a mythological belief that they lied .

Madhavi (Kurukkathi) - Hiptage benghalensis 

Note:  Inspite of  various references about this flower in Srimad Bhagavatham and other scriptures, the leaves, bark and flowers of this flower seem to possess medicinal qualities in curing asthma, ulcer etc. This flower has a strong fruity aroma.

Shamyaaka (Mayil Konrai)  Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Note:  These flowers are found in the thorny, leguminous trees in abundance. The un-ripe pods of this tree contain, seeds, which are liked by kids a lot. Usually it's an easily tree grown in the tropical climates.

Kalhaara (Sengazhuneer) - Nymphaea nouchali

Note:  Same family like water lotus. This flower is very famous for all Pujas (Devi,Vishnu, Ganesha etc..)  Rhizomes, seeds and flowers are all use din treatment of diarrohea,dysentry etc.

Soughandika (Javandhi) -Chrysanthemum morifolium

Note:  This is easily grown perennial plant, which is a runner and can be propagated very easily. They have a great fragrance + used in floral tea etc.. Although different colors are available, yellow ones are more famous.

Karaveera (Arali) - Nerium Oleander

Note: Fragrant flowers, and poisonous seeds and plant parts.

Kundha (Mullai) - Jasminum auriculatum

Note: These are called as Nitya Mullai. They could be easily grown in tropical climates and are supposed to be blooming all year. They are grown on trellises and make a good flower for nitya Pujas. Since they are only propagated vegetatively, these flowers can be collected (as they may not bear fruits).

Paarijaatha (Pavazhamalli) -Nyctanthes arbor-tristis 

Note: These are small trees, which produce a large amount of flowers. They can be easily propagated through seeds or cuttings. These flowers are also available all round the year. Usually, small nets or plastic sheets are spread under this tree and it sheds it's flowers early in the morning. The stalk of this flower is coral red, while the petals resemble a jasmine. They could be made into beautiful strands with a needle and string. The flowers have a unique fragrance. The leaves of this tree can be dry roasted and made into a tea and consumed as a remedy for cold, fever etc..

Jathi (jathi malli) - Jasminum polyanthum 

Dhadimi(Mathulai) - Punica granatum

Note: leaves, fruits, seeds etc.. are all great medicines for dysentery. Flowers are really beautiful.

Kadamba - Neolamarckia cadamba

Note:  Flowers are beautifil and fragrant. Leaves or bark of this tree are used in medicinal treatments of ulcer,cough,fever etc..

Japaa (Sembaruthi) or Hibiscus Rosa Sinesis

Note:  These flowers are also available all round the year. These flowers are special to Devi and Sri Ganesha. These are called as shoe flowers(these flowers can be used to polish shoes). They are very good for heart and can be dried, powdered and consumed. The leaves of this plant are very slimy and could be ground to a paste to wash the hair like a shampoo.

Davana (Marikozhundhu) - Artemisia Pallens

Note:  Actually these are leaves and not flowers. But they are like flowers as the entire plant has an aroma. The plant stays fragrant even after several months after harvest. This aroma is supposed to prevent insects and cockroaches and are used with the dresses in cup-boards to prevent insects.