Flowers: Lalitha 1000

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