Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 62
Devapūjā-krama: Ārghya-saṃskāra, Maṇḍala–Nyāsa, Mudrā-pradarśana, Āvaraṇa-arcana, Homa, Japa, and Kṣamāpaṇa
मातुलिंगं च तगरं रवौ नैवार्पयेत्क्वचित् । शक्तौ दूर्वार्कमंदारान् गणेशे तुलसीं त्यजेत् ॥ ६२ ॥
mātuliṃgaṃ ca tagaraṃ ravau naivārpayetkvacit | śaktau dūrvārkamaṃdārān gaṇeśe tulasīṃ tyajet || 62 ||
One should never offer mātuḷiṅga (citron) or the fragrant tagara flower to the Sun at any time. For Śakti, one should offer dūrvā grass, arka, and mandāra flowers; and in the worship of Gaṇeśa, one should avoid offering tulasī (holy basil).
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches deity-specific propriety in worship: devotion (bhakti) is expressed not only by intention but also by correct ritual suitability (yogyatā) of offerings for each deity.
Bhakti here is disciplined reverence—offering what is pleasing (priya) and avoiding what is unsuitable (apriya) to the deity, thereby aligning worship with scriptural injunction (vidhi) and tradition.
It reflects applied ritual science—rules of pūjā and offering-selection (a kind of kalpa-oriented practice), showing how technical injunctions guide everyday worship in the Narada Purana.