Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 5
Chapter 247 — पुष्पादिपूजाफलं
Fruits of Worship with Flowers and Other Offerings
नार्कन्नोन्मत्तकङ्काञ्ची पूजने गिरिमल्लिका कौटजं शाल्मलीपुष्पं कण्टकारीभवन्नहि
nārkannonmattakaṅkāñcī pūjane girimallikā kauṭajaṃ śālmalīpuṣpaṃ kaṇṭakārībhavannahi
पूजाकालेऽर्कं न चोन्मत्तकपुष्पं न कङ्काञ्चीं प्रयोजयेत्। गिरिमल्लिका प्रशस्ता; तथा कूटजशाल्मलीपुष्पे, कण्टकारी चात्र ग्राह्या।
Lord Agni (teaching the ritual regimen to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi (Dravya-nirdesha for worship offerings)","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Selection of ritually appropriate flowers/plant-offerings for pūjā; avoidance of prohibited items and substitution with approved blossoms.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Pūjā-dravya: Puṣpa-niṣedha and Puṣpa-anujñā (flowers to avoid/offer)","lookup_keywords":["pūjā-dravya","puṣpa-niṣedha","arka","dhattūra/unmatta","kuṭaja-śālmali-girimallikā"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a do-not-use list (arka, unmatta/dhattūra, kaṅkāñcī) and an approved set (girimallikā, kuṭaja, śālmali, kaṇṭakārī) for worship offerings."}
Concept: Śuddhi and aucitya (ritual propriety) in upacāra—choosing offerings that are deemed fit and avoiding those considered inauspicious/unsuitable.
Application: When preparing pūjā materials, follow niṣedha/anujñā lists; if a common flower is prohibited, substitute with the recommended alternatives.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Dravya-nirdesha for worship offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pūjā setup with a worshipper sorting flowers: some set aside as prohibited (arka, dhattūra/unmatta, kaṅkāñcī) and others arranged on a tray as approved (girimallikā, kuṭaja, śālmali blossoms, kaṇṭakārī).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, a devotee before a small shrine, flower-trays labeled arka and dhattūra kept aside, approved girimallikā and kuṭaja blossoms offered, traditional lamp and kalasha, sacred calm atmosphere.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, rich gold leaf highlights on the shrine and lamp, devotee presenting a plate of approved flowers (girimallikā, kuṭaja, śālmali), prohibited flowers placed to the side, ornate borders and jewel-toned palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional composition showing two trays: 'avoid' (arka, dhattūra, kaṅkāñcī) and 'offer' (girimallikā, kuṭaja, śālmali, kaṇṭakārī), temple interior with soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed botanical rendering of each flower, a priest in profile arranging offerings, labeled plants, fine architectural niche shrine, subdued pastel background with precise ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nārkannonmattakaṅkāñcī parsed as na + arka + na + unmatta + kaṅkāñcī (list with repeated negation). Final 'bhavannahi' parsed as bhavan + ahi (reading uncertain; could be bhavan hi in some traditions).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 247 (Puṣpādi-pūjā-phala / dravya-nirdeśa context); Agni Purana 246-247 (pūjā-upacāra and phala sections, proximate)
FAQs
It specifies pūjā-dravya rules: certain flowers/plants (e.g., arka and unmatta/dhattūra) are to be avoided, while others (girimallikā, kuṭaja, śālmali, kaṇṭakārī) are considered suitable offerings.
By cataloging specific botanical materials for ritual use, it functions like a practical handbook—linking taxonomy of plants with liturgical correctness, a hallmark of the Agni Purana’s wide-ranging, reference-style coverage.
Following prescribed offerings is treated as maintaining ritual purity and correctness (vidhi), which is traditionally held to enhance the merit (puṇya) of worship and avoid doṣa arising from improper substances.