Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 4
Chapter 247 — पुष्पादिपूजाफलं
Fruits of Worship with Flowers and Other Offerings
तुलसीकालतुलसीपत्रं वासकमर्चने केतकीपत्रपुष्पं च पद्मं रक्तोत्पलादिकं
tulasīkālatulasīpatraṃ vāsakamarcane ketakīpatrapuṣpaṃ ca padmaṃ raktotpalādikaṃ
Pour l’adoration (arcana), on doit offrir des feuilles de tulasī—surtout la tulasī cueillie en sa saison propre—avec le vāsaka ; ainsi que les feuilles et fleurs de ketakī, et le lotus, le nénuphar rouge (red water-lily) et autres fleurs semblables.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, the Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Practical arcana guidance: which leaves/flowers (tulasī, vāsaka, ketakī, lotus, red water-lily) are appropriate offerings, with emphasis on seasonal/properly gathered tulasī.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Arcana-dravya: Tulasī (kāla-tulasī), Vāsaka, Ketakī, Padma, Raktotpala","lookup_keywords":["tulasī","arcana","ketakī","padma","raktotpala"],"quick_summary":"For worship, offer tulasī leaves gathered in proper season/time, along with vāsaka and flowers/leaves like ketakī, lotus, and red water-lily—serving as a concise rule for acceptable upacāra."}
Concept: Niyama in worship—right substance, right time (kāla), right intention—enhances arcana efficacy.
Application: Harvest tulasī respectfully at proper time/season; prepare clean offerings and follow deity-specific conventions in daily pūjā.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Upachara-dravya and Patra-pushpa-niyama for Archana)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee performing arcana with tulasī leaves (freshly gathered), vāsaka leaves, ketakī flowers, and a large lotus and red water-lily arranged on a brass plate before a shrine.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, devotee at a Viṣṇu shrine offering tulasī garlands, ketakī and lotus blossoms, stylized water-lilies, oil lamp glow, flat decorative foliage motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate shrine with gold leaf, foreground plate with vivid green tulasī, white ketakī, pink lotus and red water-lily, rich textiles and jeweled vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional depiction of arcana: hand placing tulasī on the deity’s feet, separate compartments on the tray for vāsaka, ketakī, padma, raktotpala; fine linework and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, garden-temple setting with lotus pond nearby, devotee carrying tulasī and lotus offerings, detailed flora (ketakī, tulasī), refined architectural niche and patterned carpet."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तुलसीकालतुलसीपत्रं = तुलसी-कालतुलसी-पत्रम्; वासकमर्चने = वासकम् + अर्चने; केतकीपत्रपुष्पं = केतकी-पत्र-पुष्पम्; रक्तोत्पलादिकं = रक्त-उत्पल-आदिकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi: rules for patra-puṣpa selection and upacāra sequencing (same adhyāya)
FAQs
It specifies approved patra-puṣpa (leaves and flowers) and related offerings—tulasī, vāsaka, ketakī, lotus, and red utpala—to be used in arcana (formal worship).
By cataloging practical worship materials and their correct ritual use, it functions as a procedural manual alongside the Purana’s many other disciplines (law, polity, medicine, arts), demonstrating its compendium-like scope.
Using ritually fit, traditionally sanctioned offerings is treated as a purity-preserving act in pūjā, supporting devotional merit (puṇya) and correctness of worship (vidhi).