Pauṣpikaḥ — Flowers and Sacred Leaves

I worship Sri Krsna Caitanya, at whose lotus feet the offering of flowers transforms even an evil-minded person into a pure-hearted soul.

After applying all of the previously mentioned fragrant substancess to the body of the Deity with love and devotion, one should offer the best passible flowers and display the appropriate mudra.

One should offer to Sri Hari fresh flowers that are found in the forest, in one's village, or in one's garden. Only flowers that are not torn, not washed, and not eaten bv insects should be offered.

SRI H A R I - B H A K T I - V I L AS A

the Vamana Purdria these statements are found) tdnyeva suprasastdni kusumdni mahdsura ydni survarnayuktdni rasagandha yutdni ca jdtl satdngd sumanah kundam cdruputam tathd vdnanca campakaiokam karavlranca yuthikd pdrihhadram pdtald ca vakularh girisdlinlm tilakarh jasuvanajam pltakam tagarantathd etdni suprasastdni kusumdni acyutdrccane surabhlni tathdnyani varjjayitvd tu ketaklm O King of the demons, it is best to offer the Deity flowers with an excellent color, fragrance, and appearance. Flowers such as jdti, satdngd (lotus), malati, kunda, cdrnikdra, vdna, campaka, asoka, karavi, yuthikd, manddra, pdtald, bakula, sukla kutaja, sesame, habiscus, piyali and tagara are best for use in worshiping Sri Govinda. Other fragrant flowers, except the wild ketaki, can also be offered to the Lord.

Flowers, such as kunkuma, bandhujiva, campaka that grows on a scaffold, zampaka that grows on land, yellow yuthika, kadamba and mango may be offered to Lord Janardana. One may also offer flowers such as mallika, kuvja, and madhavi; as well as flowers of the yuthika family, mallika family and kuvja family; and also kadamba, ketaki, pdtald, karnatuhali and other frgrant flowers. Some flowers are nice to offer simply because they are fragrant and some flowers are nice to offer simply because their color is enchanting. One may offer other fragrant and beautiful flowers that have not been mentioned. It is recommended that one should offer to the Deity seasonal flowers having a nice fragrance and color.

the same literature, the following statement is found) madhyen'yavarno yasya sydt suklasya kusumasya ca subhasuklantu vijfieyam manojnam kesavapriyam The flowers called subhasukla refer to those that are normally white but have a color in the middle. These are very beautiful and they are dear to Lord Kesava.

Flowers, such as mallikd, that grow in the spring and in the rainly season; kusumbha; the two types of yuthikd; mddhavi; lietaki; campaka; masavmta; buds or flowers of purandhri; mango; bandhu-jiva; kunkuma; all varieties of jdti; kunda; and patald; as well as the blue lotus, white lotus, red lotus, red lily, white lily and blue lily, can always be offered to Lord Hari.

Mdlati, tulasi, padma, ketaki, mani and kadamba flowers are as dear to Lord Kesava as Laksmi, or the Kaustubha gem.

O foremost ofbrahmanas, even if white flowers have thorns, they can be offered to the Lord. One can offer red flowers that grow in the water.

found in the Saptd'sahasra section of the Ndrada Purdna, it is stated) mdlati vakuld soka sephdli navamalika dmranca tagarakhyanca mallikd madhupindikd yuthikasta padarh kunda kadamba sikhi pingakam

90 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA pdtald campakam hrdyarh lavanga mati muktakam ketakarh kurnvakarh bilvarh kahlaram vdsakarh dvija pancavimsati puspani laksml tulya priydni me madiyd vanamald ca puspair ebhir mayd purd grathita ca tathd tatvaih pancavimsatibhih kramdt O brdhmana, there are twenty-five varieties of excellent flowers that are very dear to Me. These are radlatl, vakuld, asoka, sephdli, navamdlikd, dmra, tagara, mallikd, madhu, pindikd, yuthikd, ndgakesara, kunda, kadamba, sikhi, haridra, pdtald, campaka, lavanga, madhavi, ketaki, kuruvaka, bilva, kahldra, and vdsaka. These flowers are as dear to Me as Laksmi. Previously, I personally made garlands of these twenty-five forest flowers.

The two kinds of tulasi, the two kinds of lotus, the two kinds ofjdti, the two kinds of ketaki, and the two kinds of karavi are also suitable for offering to the Deities. Apart from these ten kinds of flowers, one can offer red lotuses to the Lord.

visnudharmmottare (In the Visnu-dharmottara it is stated)

SEVENTH VILAS A 91 ddnarh sumanasdrh srestharh tathaiva parikirttitam alaksmydh samanarh mukhyarh pararh laksml vivarddhanam dhanyarh yasasya mdyusyarh mdngalyarh buddhivarddhanam svargadafica tathd proktam vahnistoma phalapradam na ratne suvarnena na ca vittena bhiirina tathd prasddam dydti devas cakra gadddharah Offering flowers is said to be the best kind of charity. By offering flowers, one's poverty becomes relieved and his fortune is improved. Such a person also achieves wealth, fame, good health, auspiciousness, and wisdom. By offering flowers to the Lord, one attains the merit of performing an agnistoma sacrifice and thereafter, he goes to heaven. The Supreme Lord, who holds a disc and club in His hands, does not become as pleased by offerings of jewels and other valuable articles as when He is worshiped by the offering of the previously mentioned ten kinds of flowers.

92 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA naka prstham avdpnoti na me'trdsti vicdrand tathd rdstrdhrtaih puspair yah kilryydt kesavdrccanam pancavirhsati atitarhsca pancavirhsati andgatdn uddhare ddtmano varhsydn ndtra kdryyd vicdrand There is no doubt that when a devotee worships Lord Kesava with flowers that were purchased with money earned by proper means, he delivers seven previous genarations of his family, as well as seven genarations that will appear in the future. When a devotee worships Lord Kesava with flowers from his garden, he becomes qualified to enjoy a very pleasant life in harmony with nature. Simply by worshiping Lord Hari, after collecting flowers, somehow or other, one attains the heavenly planets. There is no doubt of this. A devotee who worships Lord Kesava by collecting flowers from his neighborhood delivers twenty-five previous genarations of his family and twenty-five genarations in the future.

Despite living in a crowded city, if a devotee maintains himself by begging alms, observing strict vows, and always worships Lord Madhusudana

with offerings of leaves, flowers, roots, fruit, and buds collected from the forest—the Lord will certainly fulfill all of his desires. It is also a well-known tact that the Lord awards such a devotee the supreme destination, even if he does not ask for it. The supreme abode of Lord Visnu is that place where there is no anxiety or lamentation.

found in the Visnu'dharmottara, it is stated) aksamaistupa vdsdndrh dhanahlnais tathd naraih aranyd dahrtaih puspaih sarhpujya madhusudanam purvvajanmani samprdptam rdjyarh srnu narddhipa nrpo yaydtir nahuso visvagandhah karandhamah dilipo yuvandsvasca sataparvvd bhagirathah bhimasca sahadevasca mahdsllo mahamanuh devalah kdlakdksaica krtavlryyo gundkarah devardtah kusumbhasca vinlto vikramo raghuh mahotsdho vltabhayo anamitrah prabhdkarah kapotaromd parjjanyas candrasenah parantapah bhlmaseno drdharathah kusandbhah pratarddanah ete cdnye ca bahavah purvvajanmani keiavam

94 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA pujayitva ksitavasyarh prdpu rdjyam kantakam i O foremost of human beings, please hear with attention. There were many devotees of the Lord who were, in their previous lives, unable to observe fasts and were poor and yet, they became great kings in their next lives simply by worshiping Lord Madhusudana after collecting flowers from the forest. Examples of this are: Yayati, Nahusa, Visvagandha, Karandhama, Dilipa, Yuvanasva, Sataparva, Bhagiratha, Bhlma, Sahadeva, Mahasila, Mahamanu, Devala, Kalakaksa, Krtavirya, Gunakara, Devarata, Kusumbha, Vinita, Vikrama, Raghu, Mahotsaha, Vitabhaya, Anamitra, Prabhakara, Kapotaroma, Parjanya, Candrasena, Parantapa, Bhimasena, Drdharatha, Kusanabha, and Pratardana.

There were innumerable pious men who became Yaksas, Gandharvas, demigods, Vidyadharas, and Nagas in their next lives. O sinless one, it is not possible to estimate their number. Devotees should collect flowers very carefully every day. It is not possible to describe

the merit one achieves by personally collecting flowers from the forest every day and then offering them to the Supreme Lord. O foremost of kings, a person who maintains himself on food that was collected by begging and personally picks flowers and offers them to Lord Kesava delivers one hundred generations of his family.

A devotee of the Supreme Lord is one who offers beautiful, fragrant flowers to Lord Hrsikesa with love and devotion.

The merit one obtains by donating ten gold coins to an asetic, a highly qualified person, or to one who is learned in the Vedic literature can be obtained simply by offering flowers to Sri Hari.

96 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA arccan dasa suvarnasya pratyekarh phalam dpnuydt Those who worship Lord Hari with the best of flowers, such as mallikd, malati, jati, ketaki, asoka, campaka, punnaga, ndga, bakula, padma achieve the merit of donating ten gold coins with each of the flowers they offer.

O king, I have thus described to you the favorite flowers of Lord Nrsirhhadeva. Simply by worshiping the Lord by offering these flowers with love and devotion, a devotee becomes purified and ultimately attains His lotus feet.

One who personally collects flowers from the forest and then offers them to Lord Hari becomes eligible to rule a kingdom, free from all obstacles.

Simply by worshiping Lord Visnu by offering any flower, whether it grew in the water or on land, one becomes eligible to reside as an honored inhabitant of the supreme abode of the Lord.

Indradyumna found in the Visnii'rahasya, it is stated) rtu kdlodbhavaih puspair yo'ccayed rukminl patim sax wan kdmdn avdpnoti ydn divydn ydrhsca mdnusdn If a devotee worships Lord Krsna, the husband of Rukminl, by offering seasonal flowers—all of his desires become fulfilled, in this life and the next.

tathd ca ndrsirhhe (In the Nrsithha Purana it is stated) puspajdti visesena bhavet punyarh visesatah According to the variety of flower offered, there are various pious credits to be obtained.

O king, the amount of piety one receives increases or decreases according ro the quality of flowers offered. Now, listen carefully as I describe the merit oi offering other flowers.

ndrsirhhe eva (In the Nrsirhha Purana it is stated)

dronapuspe tathai kasmin mddhavdya nivedite dattvd dasa suvarnani yat phalarh tadav dpnuydt Simply by offering one drona flower to Lord Madhava, a devotee achieves the merit of giving ten gold coins in charity.

One sami flower is considered better than one thousand drona flowers. One bilva flower is better than one thousand sami flowers. One baka flower .5 better than one thousand bilva flowers. One nandya-varta flower is better ihan one thousand baka flowers. One karavira flower is better than one thousand nandya-varta flowers. One white karavira flower is better than one ihousand karavira flowers of another color. One paldsa flower is better than :ne thousand white karavira flowers. One kusa flower is better than one paldsa flowers. One vanamdla flower is better than one thousand hisa flowers. One campaka flower is better than one thousand vanamdla flowers. One asoka flower is better than one thousand campaka flowers. One <tbja flower is better than one thousand asoka flowers. One mdlati flower s better than one thousand kubja flowers. One trisandhyd flower is better than one thousand mdlati flowers. One white trisandhyd flower is better :han one thousand red trisandhyd flowers. One kunda flower is better than m e thousand white trisandhyd flowers. One padma flower is better than one thousand kunda flowers. One mallikd flower is better than one thousand p-adma flowers and one jati flower is better than one thousand mallikd flowers. Therefore, it is to be understood that among all kinds of flowers, the jati •.:-*-er is the best.

100 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Hear now about the piety of a devotee who prepares a garland with one thousand jdti flowers and offers it with love and devotion to the Supreme Lord. Such a devotee becomes endowed with opulence and prowess on the level of Lord Hari. He will reside in the abode of Visnu for hundreds and thousands of kalpas. As far as other flowers are concerned, one can also reside in the abode of Visnu by offering these flowers to Him with faith and devotion.

Among all types of flowers, the jdti flower is the best. Moreover, it is said that among all colors of jdti flowers, white ones are superior.

that is found in the Skanda Purdna, it is stated)

'mallikd'Atyddi slokatrayam dste There are three verses in this section that begin with the word mallikd.

By offering jdtl flowers to Lord Krsna, one will happily reside among the Gandharvas. By offering eight jati flowers to the Supreme Lord, one will attain the merit of performing an agnistoma sacrifice. By offering one thousand jati flowers, one can transfer himself to whatever planet he likes. By worshiping the Lord while offering one hundred thousand jati flowers, one becomes eligible to reside in Svetadvipa. I could not even describe in one hundred years the merit a person attains by offering the Lord a garland made of jdtl flowers that are perfumed with camphor powder.

that is found in the Skanda Purana, it is stated)

102 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA varndndntu yathd vipras tlrthdndm jahnavi yathd surdndntu yathd visnu puspdndm mdlatl tathd Just as brdhmanas are the best of the four varnas, just as the Ganges is the best of all holy rivers, just as Lord Visnu is best of all gods—mdlatl is best of all flowers.

One who worships Lord Garudadhvaja with mdlatl flowers becomes freed from the pangs of birth, old age, and disease because at the end of his life, he is liberated from material existence.

There is no doubt that anyone who worships Sri Krsna, the Lord of the three worlds, with offerings of mdlatl flowers, will be transferred to His supreme abode.

O foremost brahmana, by offering a garland of blooming mdlatl flowers on the head of Sri Hari, one attains the merit of performing a horse sacrifice.

O king of birds, there has never been, nor will there ever be, a better flower than malati and a more auspicious day than Dvadasi. Narada has said that the offering of a single malati flower can please Lord Kesava more than even thousands of sacrifices. Lord Kesava happily resides in the leaves of malati plants.

104 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA O great bird, as a father becomes very happy upon seeing his son—Lord Hari, the enemy of the demons, becomes happy when he sees malati flowers in the hands of Vaisnavas. By offering beautiful malati flowers to the Lord, a devotee attains the transcendental destination that is free of all miseries and is never annihilated. Malati flowers are always pleasing to Lord Madhava. Lord Garudadhvaja indiscriminately awards a worshiper who offers malati flowers residence in His own abode.

As soon as a devotee offers fresh flowers to the Lord, they become prasada. Even if malati flowers are enjoyed by the Lord throught the day and night, they still remain fresh. O great bird, a person who touches to his head the malati flowers that have been offered to Lord Visnu achieves the merit of following all kinds of religious principles. O foremost of birds, a person who decorates himself with malati flowers instead of offering them to Lord Kesava becomes degraded, losing all of his religious principles.

tathd ca gdrude (In the Qaruda Purdna it is stated)

suvarnaddnam goddnam bhumiddnarh khagesvara vihdya kdrttike mdlatlrh yaccha kesave O foremost of birds, it is better to offer malati flowers to Lord Kesava in the month of Karttika than to donate gold, cows, or land to worthy recipients.

O best of birds, malati flowers are pleasing to Lord Kesava in whatever month they are offered. In the month of Karttika, the offering of malati flowers awards one the merit of performing a horse sacrifice.

that is found in the Skanda Purdna, it is stated) mdlatlmdlayd visnuh pujito yena kdrttike pdpaksarakrtdm mdldm hathdt saurih pramarjjati For a devotee who worships Lord Visnu with offerings of malati flowers in the month of Karttika, Yamaraja orders the removal of all his sinful reactions from the account book.

106 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA piijito mddhavo dadydt karttike vaisnavarh padam If a devotee worships Lord Madhava with offerings of mdlati, jdtl, golden jdti, or campaka flowers during the month of Karttika, the Lord awards him residence in His abode.

that is found in the Skanda Purana, it is stated) subhrd subhrair mahdgandhaih kusumaih pankajodbhavaih adhoksajam samabhyarccya naro ydti hareh padam If a devotee worships Lord Adhoksaja, who is beyond the range of material sense perception, with fragrant white or blue lotus flowers, he will certainly attain the supreme abode of the Lord.

Persons who have not worshiped Lord Hari with offerings of white or blue lotus flowers made with love and devotion are understood to have ruined their lives, haven fallen into the clutchs of Kali.

A devotee who worships Lord Narayana, the husband of Laksmi and the master of the demigods, with offerings of lotus flowers is alleviated of all his sinful reactions that were accumulated during the last ten thousand years . When the beloved Lord of Laksmi is worshiped with offerings of lotus flowers, He awards unalloyed devotional service to the devotee.

that is found in the Skanda Purdna, it is stated) padmapuspdni yo dadydt tasmdt satagunarh bhavet When a devotee worships the Supreme Lord with offerings of lotus flowers, he certainly attains one hundred times more merit than worshiping the Lord with offerings of other flowers.

tathd ca skdnde (In the Skanda Purdna it is stated) raktapadma praddnena rukma mdsakado bhavet satarh dattvd ca dharmmdtmd vahnistoma phalarh labhet sahasranca tathd dattvd suryyaloke mahiyate visnulokam avdpnoti laksa pujd vidhdyakah svayam eva tathd laksmir bhajate ndtra sarhsayah

108 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA rakta padma praddndddhi svetasya dvigunam phalarh By offering pink lotus flowers to the Lord, one achieves the merit of giving one masa, or eight rods, of gold in charity. If a sincere devotee offers one hundred lotus flowers to the Lord, he can achieve the merit of performing an agnistoma sacrifice. By offering one thousand lotus flowers, one can be honored while residing in the abode of the sun-god. A person who worships the Lord with an offering of one hundred thousand pink lotus flowers certainly becomes eligible to be transferred to the abode of Lord Visnu. There, such a devotee receives the favor of the goddess of fortune. There is no doubt about this. Offering white lotus flowers yields double the merit of offering red lotus flowers.

Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, remains favorable for one hundred lifetimes for those who worship the husband of Laksmi with offerings of lotus flowers in the month of Karttika.

that is found in the Skanda Purdna, it is stated) kdrttike ndrccito yestu kamalaih kamaleksanah janmakotisu viprendra na tesarh kamald grhe

O foremost brahmana, Laksmi does not reside, even for a moment during a period of millions of lifetimes, in the house of those who have not worshiped the lotus-eyed Supreme Personaltiy of Godhead with offerings of lotus flowers in the month of Karttika.

visniidharrnmottre (In the Visnu-dharmottara it is stated) dattvd nllotpalam mukhyam kusumarh kunkumasya ca tulyarh phalam avdpnoti vandhu jlvasya ca dvijdh suvarna dasa ddnasya phalarh prdpnoti mdnavah dattvd nllotpalam visnor ndtra kdryyd vicdrand nllotpalasatam dattvd vahnistoma phalam labhet nllotpala sahasrena pundarlkam avdpnuydt laksapujdm narah krtvd rdjasuya phalam labhet O brahmanas, one obtains the same merit by offering blue lotus flowers, kunkuma flowers, and bandhujlva flowers. By offering blue lotus flowers to Lord Visnu, one receives the merit of donating ten gold coins. There is no doubt of this. One who offers one hundred blue lotus flowers to the Lord receives the merit of performing an agnistoma sacrifice and by offering one thousand blue lotus flowers, one earns the merit of performing a pundarlka sacrifice. By offering one hundred thousand blue lotus flowers to the Lord, one obtains the merit of performing a Rdjasuya sacrifice.

visnudharmmottre ca (In the Visnu-dharmottara it is also stated)

110 SRIHARI-BHAKTI'VILASA rukmamdsaka ddnasya phalarh kumudato bhavet kumudandrh satarh dattva candraloke mahlyate sahasranca tathd dattva yathestdrh gatim dpnuydt asvamedham avdpnoti laksapujd vidhdyakah raktotpala prade visnos tathd sydd dvigunarh phalam By offering one kumuda flower to the Lord, a person achieves the merit of donating eight ratls of gold. By offering one hundred kumuda flowers, one becomes eligible to be honored while residing in the abode of the moon- god. By offering one thousand kumuda flowers, one can transfer himself any planet he likes, and by offering one hundred thousand kumuda flowers, one earns the merit of performing a horse sacrifice. Offering pink lotus flowers to the Lord yields double the merit of offering kumuda flowers.

that is found in the Skanda Purdna, it is stated) jdtarupa nibhair visnurh kadamba kusumair mune yer'ccayanti ca govindarh na tesdrh saurijam bhayam kadamba kusumair hrdyair ar'ccayanti jandrddanam tesam yamdlayo naiva na jayante kuyonisu O great asetic, those who worship Lord Govinda with offerings of golden kadamba flowers need not fear the wrath of Yamaraja. These who wcrshp

Lord Janardana with offerings of beautiful kadamba flowers will never have to go to the abode of Yamaraja, or be born in a degraded species of life.

The master of the demigods does not become as satisfied by offerings of ketaki flowers or malati flowers as He is by offerings of kadamba flowers. As soon as Lord Madhava sees kadamba flowers, He becomes joyful and so what then can be said of how satisfied He becomes when He is worshiped with offerings of kadamba flowers? The truth is—the Lord always fulfills the desires of a devotee who offers Him kadamba flowers.

The creator of the universe, Lord Madhava, becomes as pleased by offerings of kadamba flowers as He is when He is united with Laksmi. Simply

112 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA by worshiping Lord Hari, even negligently, while offering Him even one kadamba flower—the Lord and his consort, Laksmi, become obliged to personally protect him for one hundred lifetimes. All of one's sinful reactions that were accumulated during the last ten thousand lifetimes can be nullified simply by offering fragrant kadamba flowers to Lord Kesava.

tatraiva (In the same literature it is stated) ghanagame ghanasyamah kadamba kusumarccitah dadati vanchitdn kdman satajanmani sampadah kadamba kusumair devam ghanavarnam ghanagame yer'ccayanti munisrestham tairaptam janmanah phalam If one worships Lord Syamasundara with offerings of kadamba flowers in the rainy season, He fulfills all of his devotee's desires for one hundred lifetimes and awards him great opulence. Human life becomes successful when one worships the blackish personality, Krsna, the Lord of lords, with offerings of kadamba flowers during the rainy season.

that is found in the Skanda Purdna, it is stated) karavlrair mahddevi yah pujayati kesavam dasa sauvarnakaih puspair yat phalam tadav apnuyat

karavlraih suraktaisca yo visnurh sakrdarccayet gavdmayuta ddnasya phalam prdpnoti mdnavah O Goddess, those who worship Lord Kesava with offerings of karavira flowers acquire the merit of giving ten gold coins in charity. A person who even once worships Lord Visnu with an offering of red karavira flowers obtains the merit of giving ten thousand cows in charity.

that is found in the Skanda Purana, it is stated) yer'ccayanti surddhyaksarh karavlraih sitasitaih caturyugani viprendra prito bhavati kesavah sita raktair mahdpunyaih kusumaih karavlrajaih yo'cyutam pujayed bhaktyd sa ydti garudadhvajam O exalted brahmana, the Lord of lords, Sri Hari, remains pleased for four yugas with those who worship Him with offerings of either white or red karavira flowers. A person who worships Lord Acyuta by offering Him pure white or red karavira flowers with devotion achieves the shelter of He whose flag is marked with the symbol of Garuda.

114 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA purandhri-puspam yo dadydd ekam apyasya mandale tilaprastha praddnasya phalarh prdpnoty sarhsayam purandhri-manjari puspaih sahasrendrccayed harim agnistomam avdpnoti kulam uddharate tathd karpura patavdsena purandhrim adhivdsitdm mahdrajana rakte ca tathd sutre nivesitdm mdldrh puspam sahasrena yah prayacchati bhaktitah asvamedham phalam tasya ndtra kdryya vicdrand satena vajapeyasya phalam dpnoti samsayam laksapujam tathd krtvd sarvva jfidnam avdpnuydt Lord Hari, who holds a disc and club in His hands, and who is the enemy of the demon, Madhu, becomes very satisfied with a devotee who worships Him with offerings of purandhri flowers. It is a fact that beautiful purandhn manjaris are always pleasing to Lord Hari. One who offers the Lord only one purandhri flower obtains the merit of giving a huge quantity of sesame seeds in charity. By offering one thousand purandhri manjaris, or flowers, one receives the merit of performing an agnistoma sacrifice. One can undoubtedly earn the merit of performing a horse sacrifice simply by preparing a garland of purandhri flowers scented with camphor powder and offering it to Lord Kesava with love and devotion. By offering one hundred purandhri flowers, one can achieve the merit of performing a vdjapeya sacrifice, and by offering one hundred thousand purandhri flowers, one becomes conversant with all fields of knowledge.

that is found in the Skanda Purdna, it is stated) agastya kusumair devarh yer'ccayanti janarddanam darsanattasya devarse narakagnih prasamyati na tat karoti viprendra tapasa tosito harih yat karoti hrsikeso muni puspair alankrtah munipuspakrtarh malarh ye yacchanti janarddane devendro'pi munisrestha kampate tasya sankaya O Narada, simply by seeing the worship of Lord Hari performed with offerings of agastya or baka flowers, one is rescued from the fire of hellish life. O foremost brdhmana, Lord Hari does not grant so much favor after being pleased by a person's performance of austerity as He does whe n pi eas ed by a n offering of baka flowers. O great sage, even the king of the demigods trembles at the sight of a person who worships Lord Janardana by offering Him a garland of baka flowers.

116 SRI HARI'BHAKTI-VILASA agastya vrksa sambhiltaih husumair asitaih sitaih yer'ccayisyanti devesam samprdptarh param padam O Narada, if Lord Hari sees a person wearing a garland of baka flowers that had been offered to Him, or if He is offered a garland of baka flowers, He remains pleased with him for a period of ten lifetimes. Lord Janardana's devotees who offer Him white or colored baka flowers attain His supreme abode in the spiritual sky.

By worshiping Lord Hrsikesa, the master of the senses, with baka flowers that are as beautiful as lotus flowers, one becomes freed from the miseries of birth and death because he is liberated from material existence.

A person who worships Lord Kesava by offering baka flowers, rather than other flowers, in the month of Karttika surely receives the merit of performing a horse sacrifice. If the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, is worshiped on the new moon day in the month of Karttika with offerings of baka flowers, He fulfills all the desires of His devotee. O sage, the result one obtains by donating ten thousand cows can be achieved simply by worshiping Lord Kesava with one baka flower.

Those who worship Lord Hari with offerings of baka flowers during the month of Katrtika are awarded the position of learned sages who strictly follow the vow of celibacy.

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purdna it is also stated) ketaki puspake naiva pujito garudadhvajah samdh sahasram suprito jdyate madhusudanah arccayitvd hrsikesarh kusumaih ketakodbhavaih punyarh tadbhavanarh yati kesavasya ramdlayam

118 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Lord Madhusudana, whose flag is adorned with the symbol of Garuda, remains pleased with a person who worships Him with offerings of ketaki flowers for one thousand years. It is possible to receive Laksmi as a guest residing in his house by worshiping Lord Hrsikesa with offerings of ketaki flowers.

O great sage, a devotee who offers Lord Janardana golden ketaki flowers obtains the merit of giving gold in charity.

tatraiva (In the same literature it is stated) keiavah ketaki puspair mithunasthe divdkare yendrccitah sakrd bhaktyd sa mukto narakdrnavdt ketaki puspam dddya mithunasthe devdkare yendrccito harir bhaktyd prlto manvantararh mune A devotee who worships Lord Kesava with an offering of ketaki flowers, even once at the time when the sun enters Gemini, is delivered from the ocean of hellish life. Moreover, if a devotee worships Lord Hari with an offering of ketaki flowers at the time when the sun enters Gemini, he will enjoy the merciful glance of the Lord for one manvantara.

O exalted brahmana, those who worship Lord Govinda with offerings of newly-grown ketaki flowers at the time when the sun enters Cancer, which is seen in the southern hemisphere, attain the abode of Vaikuntha, where Lord Hari resides along with his consort, Kamala, even if they had committed hundreds or thousands of sinful activities.

tatraiva (In the same literature it is also stated) karttike ketaki pusparh dattarh yena kalau hareh dlpaddnanca devarse tdrite svakuldyutam O sage among the demigods, one who has offered ketaki flowers and a ghee lamp to Lord Hari in the month of Karttika has delivered ten thousand generations of his family.

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Vurdna it is stated) abhyarccya kunda kusumaih kesavarh kalma sdpaham praydti bhavanarh visnor vanditarh municdranaih

120 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA By worshiping Lord Kesava, who destroys the sinful reactions of His devotees, with offerings of kunda flowers, one can enter His supreme abode, which is glorified by great sages and Caranas.

in the Tenth Canto of Srirnad-Bhagavatam, it is stated) apy ena-patny upagatah priyayeha gdtrais tanvan drsdrh sakhi su-nirvrtim acyuto vah kdntdnga-sanga-kuca-kunkuma-ranjitdydh kunda-srajah kula-pater iha vdti gandhah O friend, wife of the deer, has Lord Acyuta been here with His beloved, bringing great joy to your eyes? Indeed, blowing this way is the fragrance of His garland of kunda flowers, which was smeared with the kunkuma from the breasts of His girlfriend when He embraced Her.

O sinless Yasoda, your darling child, the son of Maharaja Nanda, has festively enhanced His attire with a jasmine garland, and He is now playing along the Yamuna in the company of the cows and cowherd boys, amusing His dear companions.

visnupurdne (In the Visnu Purana it is stated) arccayitvd hrslkesarhgl pdvantl kusumair narah hrsta pusta gandklrnam karsnam lokam avdpnuydt

As a result of worshiping Lord Hrsikesa, the master of the senses, devotees attain His supreme abode, which is crowded with His jubilant and transcendentally attractive associates.

tatraiva (In the same Purana it is stated) karnikara mayaih puspaih kantaih kanaka suprabhaih arccayitvdcyutam loke tasya loke mahlyate By worshiping Lord Acyuta with offerings of beautiful, golden karnikara flowers, one becomes eligible to be honored while residing in His transcendental abode.

Wearing a peacock-feather ornament upon His head, blue karnikara flowers on His ears, a yellow garment as brilliant as gold, and the Vaijayanti garland, Lord Krsna exhibited His transcendental form as the greatest of dancers as He entered the forest of Vrndavana, beautifying it with the marks of His footprints. He filled the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips, and the cowherd boys sang His glories.

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) kunkuma arunavarnddhyarh gandhddhyam satapatrikdm

122 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA yo daddti jagannathe svetadvipdt patenna hi One who offers Lord Jagannatha fragrant satapatrikd flowers, the color of which resembles that of kunkuma, does not have to return to this material world again after attaining the abode of Svetadvipa.

tatraiva (In the same literature it is stated) sevanti kusumaih paspaih kimsukaih sumanoharaih samabhyarccya hrslkesarh janma duhkhad vimucyate By worshiping Lord Hrsikesa with offerings of pure and beautiful sevanti and paidsa flowers, one is delivered from the miseries of repeated birth and death.

tatraiva (In the same literature it is stated) gandhddhyair vimalair vanyaih kusumaih kuvjakodbhavaih bhaktya bhyarccya hrslkesarh svetadvipe vasennarah Devotees who worship Lord Hrsikesa with offerings cf fragrart, whe wild kuvja flowers, with love and devotion, will reside in the abode of Svetadvipa.

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purana it is stated)

SEVENTH VILAS A 123 nllotpalasamam ddrxam campakasya jandrddane Offering campaka flowers to Lord Janardana is as good as offering Him blue lotus flowers.

that is found in the Skanda Purdna, it is stated) varsdkdle tu devasam kusumais campakodbhavaih yer'ccayanti nard bhaktyd samsarena punargatih Those human beings who worship Lord Hari with love and devotion by offering Him Campaka flowers do not come back to this material world again.

visnurahasye tatraiva (In the Visnwrahasya it is stated) asoka kusumair amyair janmasoka bhaydpaham pujayitvd harirh devarh ydti visnu mandmayam By worshiping Lord Hari, who removes fear and lamentation from the minds of His devotees, with offerings of beautiful asoka flowers, one becomes eligible to attain His supreme abode.

124 SRIHARI-BHAKTI'VILA-SA te vasanti harerloke ydvaccandra divdkarau Those who worship the Lord of the universe with offerings of bakula and asoka flowers will reside in the abode of Visnu for as long as the sun and moon continue to rise and set.

tavraiva (In the same literature it is stated) yor'ccayet pdtaldpuspaih sarvvapdpa hararh harim sa punyatma pararh sthanarh vaisnavam vrajate dhruvam A pure'hearted devotee who worships Lord Hari with offerings of with patala flowers becomes relieved of all sinful reactions and certainly attains His supreme abode.

A devotee who worships the Lord, whose flag is adorned with the symbol of Garuda, with offerings of patala flowers in the spring undoubtedly achieves liberation from material existence.

visnurahasye (In the Visnu-rahasya it is stated) tilakasya ujjvalaih puspaih sampujya madhusudanam dhutapdpnd niratankah krsnasya anucaro bhavet

By worshiping Lord Madhusudana with offerings of white tila flowers, a devotee becomes freed from all sinful reactions, as well as the fear of material existence. At the end of his life, he attains the association of Lord Krsna in the spiritual world.

visnurahasye (In the Visnu-rahasya it is stated) samujjvalair javapuspair abhyarccya jalasayinam supunyarh gatim dpnoti vita bhlrvita matsarah One who worships the Supreme Lord, who lies down in the water of the Causal Ocean, with offerings of white Java flowers becomes fearless and non- envious and at the end, attains the supreme destination.

One who worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose flag is adorned with the symbol of Garuda, according to the prescribed rules and regulations and with offerings of javd flowers, attains the ultimate goal of life.

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purdna it is stated) atarusaka puspair yah pujayet jagatdm patim sa punyavan naro ydti visnos tatparamdm gatim

126 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA The pious devotee who worships the Lord of the universe with offerings of awrusaka flowers attains the supreme abode of Lord Visnu.

tatraiva (In the same literature it is stated) kusumbha kusumair hrdyair yer'ccayanti jandrddanatn tesdm mamdlaye vdsah prasdddt cakrapdninah Those who worship Lord Janardana with offerings of kusumbha flowers become eligible to reside in my (Brahma's) abode, by the mercy of the Lord, who holds a disc in His hand.

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purana it is also stated) mallikd puspa jdtlnarh yuthikdyds tathaiva ca tathd kuvjaka jatlndm phalasydrddham prakirttitam It has been described that the merit of offering flowers of the mallikd family, yuthikd family, and kuvja family is half of that which was previously described regarding blue lotus flowers.

that is found in the Skanda Purana, it is stated) sugandhair mallikd puspair arccayitvd'cyutam narah sarvvapdpa-vinirmukto visnuloke mahlyete

mallika kumumair devarh vasante garudadhvajam yor'ccayet parayd bhaktya dahet pdparh tridhdrjjitam By worshiping Lord Acyuta with offerings of fragrant mallika flowers, devotees are liberated from all sinful reactions and will be honored while residing in the abode of Lord Visnu. If a devotee worships the Lord, whose flag is adorned with the symbol of Garuda, with offerings of mallika flowers in the spring, with staunch devotion, the three kinds of sin (performed by his body, mind, and speech) are burnt to ashes.

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purdna it is also stated) kumbhlpuspantu devarse yah prayacchet jandrddane suvarna pala mdtrantu puspe puspe bhavenmune O Narada, one who offers kumbhi flowers to Lord Janardana achieves the merit of donating one pala (two and a half ounces) of gold with each flower he offers.

visnurahasye (In the Visnu-rahasya it is stated) gokarna-ndga karndbhydm tathd villdtakena ca arccayitvd acyutam devam devandm adhipo bhavet anjall-votaklpuspaih kusmdnda timirodbhavaih alankrtvd narah krsnam krtdrtho harilokabhdk

128 SRIHARI'BHAKTI-VILASA One can become the king of the demigods by worshiping Lord Acyuta with offerings of gokarna, ndga-karna, or viliataka flowers. One can be transferred to Goloka by decorating Lord Krsna with anjali, votaki, kusmdnda, and timira flowers.

skande tatraiva (In the same Skanda Purana it is also stated) grhadurvvdbhavaih puspais tathd kasa kusodbhavaih bhudhararh samalan krtya visnuloke vrajennarah By decorating Lord Visnu with durvd flowers grown in one's garden, as well as with kasa flowers and kusa flowers, one becomes eligible to enter His eternal abode.

Those who decorate the Lord of the universe with sara flowers, kasa flowers, and kusa flowers attain the abode of Lord Visnu.

There are different merits attained according to the color of the flower that is offered to the Lord. It is also stated that by offering a garland of flowers rather than loose flowers to the Lord, one attains more piety and good fortune.

SEVENTH VILAS A 129

Worship of the Supreme Lord with offerings of white flowers will award one liberation. Worship of the Supreme Lord with offerings of yellow flowers will award one the fulfillment of his material desires. Those who desire to harm their enemies should worship the Lord with offerings of very dark- colored flowers.

By offering flowers to Lord Krsna with love and devotion, one achieves more merit than giving one hundred thousand gold coins in charity. By offering a garland of flowers to the Lord, one receives the merit of offering a single flower multiplied millions of times.

130 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Mallikd flowers can be offered both during the day and at night. Sondali and Yuthikd flowers can be offered only at night. Nandyavarta flowers can be offered at midnight and malati flowers should be offered only in the morning. As far as other flowers are concerned, they can be offered only during the day. This is the opinion of some learned scholars who have vast knowledge of Deity worship.

fresh for a full day and night, lotus flowers remain fresh for seven nights, and baka flowers remain fresh for six months. This duration of time begins from the time of picking the flowers.

The best of Vaisnavas should prepare umbrellas, pillows, swings, and other paraphernalia from flowers and offer them to Lord Krsna.

visnudharmmottre (In the Visnu~dharmottara it is stated)

krsna vesmani yah huryydt suruparh puspa mandapam sa puspaka vlmdnaistu kotibhih kridate divi A devotee who builds a house of beautiful flowers for Sri Krsna will board an airplane made of flowers and go the heavenly planets.

By preparing a house and bed made of flowers for Lord Visnu, the devotee achieves the merit of performing both a Rajasuya sacrifice and horse sacrifice.

that is found in the Skanda Purana, it is said) kesavopari yah kuryydt chatrarh vd puspa mandapam puspais tanmancakam vdpi tasya punyam vaddmyaham prdptaisvaryyo mahdbhdgaih krlddrati samanvitaih nityantu modate svarge sa naro ndtra samsayah Hear now about the piety of one who makes a house, umbrella, or bed of flowers for Lord Kesava. Such a devotee perpetually enjoys life in heaven while relishing various pleasures, sporting activities, and opulence. There is no doubt of this.

132 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

that is found in the Skanda Purdna, it is said) mdlatlmdlayd yena kdrttike puspa mandapam kesavasya grhe cakre na mayd viditarh phalanx Even I cannot conceive of the merit one obtains by preparing a house with mdlati flowers within the temple of Lord Kesava in the month of Karttika.

One should also worship the Supreme Lord with flowers made of gold, jewels and other precious substances. The special characteristic of these decorations is that they never become old and so they can be offered again and again.

Flowers made of gold never become old or faded and so they can be offered again and again.

Before offering artificial flowers made of gold and other materials, one should smear them with fragrant substances, such as sandalwood paste, perfume, or camphor.

skdnde (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) svarna puspa arccito yasya grhe tisthati kesavah tasyaiva pddarajasd sudhyati ksitimandalam suvarna puspair abhyarcya rajasuya phalarh labhet ratnair devam atha bhyarcya raja bhavati bhutale The entire earth becomes purified by the dust from the feet of a person in whose house Lord Kesava is worshiped with offerings of golden jati flowers. By worshiping Lord Kesava with offerings of golden flowers, one obtains the merit of performing a Rajasuya sacrifice, and by worshiping Lord Kesava with flowers made of jewels, one will become the emperor of the earth.

is found in the Skanda Purana, it is stated) puspajdtisu sarvvdsu sauvarnam puspam uttamam

134 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Among all types of jati flowers, golden jdti flowers are the best.

All of the flowers that have been mentioned, and those that have not been mentioned, can be offered to the Supreme Lord if they are attractive and fragrant. One should be careful not to offer flowers to the Lord that have been prohibited in the scriptures.

One should not offer flowers to the Deities that have grown on a tree in a cemetary, that have grown on a tree whose roots are cemented with bricks, that have fallen to the ground, and that have not yet bloomed. One should generally not offer flowers other than white ones. Even if white flowers and fragrant flowers have grown on a thorny tree, they can be offered to the Lord. Red flowers that have not been mentioned here should not be offered to the Lord. If one does so, he will only suffer miseries. Those who offer flowers having a very strong fragrance will be afflicted with anxieties. It is also stated that offering flowers without fragrance certainly awards one inauspiciousness.

One should not offer flowers that have a very strong fragrance or no fragrance. Flowers grown in somebody else's garden or on a thorny plant are also not suitable for offering. O those who are dedicated to dharmal You should never offer red flowers, lowers from a tree whose roots are cemented with bricks, flowers from a tree in a cemetary, and flowers that have bloomed out of season.

136 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA tena pdpena lipyeyarh yadyaitad anrtaihvade If I have spoken a lie then let me become afflicted with the sin of worshiping the Lord with an offering of flowers taken from somebody else's garden.

Except campaka, no flower buds should be used in the worship of the Supreme Lord. One should also not worship Lord Visnu with dry leaves and dry seasonal fruit.

Because the buds of jdti, yuthi, mallikd and nava-mallikd flowers have a sweet aroma, some devotees recommend that they be offered to the Lord.

Even white flowers that have fallen to the ground should not be offered to the Deities. One should also not offer flowers with petals that have been spoiled or flowers that have been artificially made to blossom.

One should avoid using flowers that have been eaten by insects; flowers that are stale, faded, or dry; and flowers on which spiders have made their webs—even though they may be very beautiful. One should abandon impure flowers, even if they have a nice frgrance. One should avoid flowers that have a very strong fragrance. Although flowers such as kusa have no fragrance, they can be offered to the Deities because they are pure by nature.

For the worship of Lord Hari one should not collect flowers at an intersection, a temple of Lord Siva, or a cemetary.

that is found in the Skanda Purdna, it is stated) na visirnadalaih slistair ndsubhair ndvikdsibhih

138 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA puti gandhyugra gandhlni amlagandhdni varjjayet kita kosopa viddhdni slrna paryydsatdni ca bhagnapatranca na grdhyam krmidustarh na canard varjjayed urnndbhena vdsitarh yadi sobhanam sthalastharh noddharet pusparh chedayej jalajarh na tu ydni sprstani cdsprsyair lokd yuktaisca varjjayet One should not offer to the Deities flowers with withered petals, or with petals joined together. One should avoid flowers that are dirty or not fully bloosomed. Flowers that do not smell good, that have a strong fragrance, or a sour frangrance, should not be offered. Flowers are considered polluted if they were eaten by insects. One should not collect flowers that are withered, dried up, rotting, torn, or were eaten by insects. Flowers growing under a spider's web should be rejected even though they may look beautiful. One should not uproot any plant while picking flowers. One should reject flowers that may have been touched by something abominable.

jnaiiamdidydrn (In the Jnan-amala it is stated) na paryyusita doso'sti jalajotpala-campake tulasi agastya bakule bilve gangajale tatha There is no fault in offering lotus flowers, campaka flowers, tulasi leaves, agastya flowers, bakula flowers, bilva leaves, and Gahgas water—even if they are old.

One should not use home-grown white and red karavira flowers for the worship of Lord Hari. One should also avoid worshiping the Lord with flowers that have fallen on the ground, that are not fully bloosomed, that are old, that have been already smelled, that have been crushed by an animal, and that have been touched by a part of body other than the hands.

Karavira, dhustura, black kiitaja, and sunflowers should not be offered to Lord Janardana.

140 SRI HARI'BHAKTI'VILASA niveditarh bhayancogram nihsvatvanca prayacchati One should not offer sunflowers, dhustura, jhinti, girikarnikd and kantakdri flowers to Lord Acyuta. Those who offer Lord Janardana kutaja, sdlmaii and sirisa flowers will face great danger and lose their wealth.

Those who worship Lord Janardana, the master of the three worlds, with sunflowers attract punishment, fear, and distress from the angry Lord. Foolish people who worship Lord Janardana, whose flag is adorned with the symbol of Garuda, with offerings of dhustura flowers will suffer from mental illness.

Lord Visnu awards the punishment of poverty to those who worship Him with offerings of forbidden flowers. Those who worship Lord Madhusudana with girikarnika flowers may face the destruction of their entire family.

Flowers picked at noon and prohibited flowers should not be used for worshiping Lord Visnu.

O brahmana, the demigods, forefathers, and sages never accept flowers that were picked after bathing. In fact, these flowers are considered to have been burnt to ashes.

Manu has said that if flowers are not available for worshiping the Lord then there is no fault in stealing them. Robbing flowers for the sake of the Supreme Lord is never to be considered stealing in the ordinary sense.

142 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA puspe sdkodake kdsthe tathd mule phale true adattd ddnam asteyarh manuh prdha prajdpatih grhitavydni puspdni devdrccana vidhau dvijdh naikasmdd eva niyatam ananujndpya kevalam Prajapati Manu has said that taking flowers, spinach, water, wood, roots, fruit, and grass from others' property does not amount to stealing. O brahmanas! One should not pick flowers for worshiping the Lord from only one person's garden.

If the prescribed flowers are not available then prohibited flowers can be used as a replacement but one should never offer flowers that have been absolutely banned by the scriptures.

If there is a lack of prescribed flowers for use in worshiping the Lord then those prescribed flowers that are prohibited under certain conditions should be offered.

Flowers that are dry, crushed, wilted, fallen onto the ground, torn, eaten by insects, mixed with hair, without fragrance, and having a very strong fragrance, as v/ell as flowers that were held while one bowed down to offer obeisances, flowers held in one's left hand, and flowers that were dipped in water are unfit for use while worshiping the Lord. Flowers collected by breaking the branch of a tree, by uprooting a plant, and by climbing a tree are meant for demons. One should also reject flowers that were collected by stealing, or touched by contaminated objects, as well as those that are unclean, already offered, placed on a dirty cloth, or were bought in the market.

One should also offer tender leaves and durva grass to the Lord with love and devotion. In all circumstances, one must offer tulasi leaves to the Lord.

visniidharmrriottare (In the Visnu-dharmottara it is stated)

144 SRIHARI-BHAKTI'VILASA puspdbhdvena yo dadydd atra durvvdnkurdn api so'pi punyam avdpnoti puspa ddnasya vai dvijdh puspdbhdve hi deydni patrdnyapi jandrddane patrdbhdve payo deyarh tena punyam avdpnuydt nivedya bhaktyd madhusudandya drumacchadarh vdpyatha satprasilnam durvvdnkuram vd salilam dvijendrdh prdpnoti tat tanmanasd yatheccheti O brdhmanas, a person who offers tender durva grass in the absence of flowers achieves the merit of offering flowers. In the absence of flowers, one should offer leaves to Lord Janardana and in the absence of leaves, one should offer water. By doing so, one will attain the same benefit. O exalted brd%nanas, by offering Lord Madhusudana leaves from the trees, fragrant flowers, durva grass, or water, with love and devotion, all of one's desires will be fulfilled.

Bhrngaraja leaves, bilva leaves, baka leaves, blackberry leaves, mango •eaves, and lemon leaves may be offered to the Lord. One can achieve a great deal of merit simply by offering any of the above-mentioned leaves. By Mtering tender, fragrant leaves to the Lord, one obtains the same benfit as rv offering flowers.

O foremost of rulers, hear now with attention as I describe to you the sacred leaves that are very pleasing to Lord Hari. Bhrngaraja leaves are better than apamdrga leaves. Tamdla leaves are better than bhrngaraja leaves. Samipatra leaves are better than tamdla leaves. Durva leaves are better than Samipatra leaves. Kusa leaves are better than durva leaves. Amalaka leaves are better than kusa leaves. Bilva leaves are better than amalaka leaves and tulasi leaves are even better than bilva leaves for the worship of Lord Visnu.

146 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA A devotee who worships Lord Hari with these leaves (whatever is available) will be freed from all sinful reactions and receive honor while residing in the abode of Lord Visnu.

Leaves of the bilva, sami, bhrngaraja, tamdla and amalaka trees are best for offering in the worship of Lord Kesava. Those who cannot collect appropriate flowers for the worship of Lord Hari can offer these leaves instead and thereby achieve the same result.

Offering ketakl, bhrngaraja, tulasi, and blackish tuldsl leaves pleases Lord Hari. Lord Hari becomes immediately satisfied when He is offered bilva. sami, bhrngaraja, and tamdla leaves. k

that is found in the Skanda Purdna, it is stated) samipatraisca yo devarh pujayati suradvisam yama mdrgo mahdghoro nistir nastena narada kumbhlpatrena devarse yer'ccayanti janarddanam koti janmarjjitarh paparh dahate garudadhvajah O Narada, one who worships Lord Janardana, the enemy of the demons, with an offering of sami leaves is freed from having to traverse the terrible path to the abode of Yamaraja. For those who worship the Lord, whose flag is adorned with the symbol of Garuda, with an offering of kumbhl leaves— the sinful reactions that were accumulated during millions of lifetimes are nullified.

Simply by worshiping Lord Govinda, even once, with an offering of bilva leaves, He becomes so satisfied that He awards the devotee the merit of performing all kinds of sacrifices.

148 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA dattamatrarh hareh prltim karoti satavdrsiklm O Narada, I have already described the glories of those who devotedly worship Lord Hari with offerings of bilva leaves during the month of Karttika. O sage, by an offering of mdruka, ketaki, or damanaka leaves, Lord Hari remains pleased with His devotee for hundreds of years.

O Narada, by worshiping Lord Hari with offerings of damanaka leaves in the month of Caitra and Vaisakha, one obtains the merit of donating one thousand cows. A devotee who offers durva grass to Lord Hari achieves one hundred times more merit than if he had not done so. When devotees offer mango flowers to Lord Kesava, they acquire millions of times more merit.

The merit achieved by performing sacrifices and giving charity, which is very difficult to obtain, can be easily acquired by devotees who devotedly worship Lord Madhusudana with offerings of tender durva grass.

is found in the Skanda Purana, it is stated) bilvapatrair akhandaisca sakrddevam prapujya vai sarvvapdpa vinirmukto mama loke sa tusthati One who worships Lord Visnu even once with unbroken bilva leaves is freed from all sinful reactions and ultimately attains my (Lord Siva's) abode.

By worshiping Lord Govinda with an offering of bilva leaves, devotees are liberated from material bondage and ultimately become engaged as eternal servants of Lord Krsna.

By offerings of maruka and damanaka leaves, Lord Hari becomes pleased very soon.

150 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

One should offer leaves, flowers, and fruit—placing them so that the top portoions faces Lord Hari.

Leaves, flowers and fruit that face downward while being offered are not pleasing to Lord Hari and so this will cause distress to the worshiper. One should always offer things to the Lord in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Pddme (In the Padma Purana it is stated) tulasi na yesdrh haripiijandrtharh sarhpadyate mddhava-punyavdsare dhigyauvanam jlvanam artha santatim tesdm sukharh neha ca drsyate pare The lives, youthfulness, and wealth of those who do not offer tulasi to Lord Hari on auspicious days, such as Aksaya-trithiya and Ekadasi, in the month of Vaisakha, are considered useless. Such persons cannot achieve happiness in this life nor the next.

Even after one hundred years, I do not acknowledge the worship of a person who does not offer Me tulasi leaves every day.

is found in the Brhan'tidradiya Parana it is stated) yadgrhe ndsti tulasi sdlagrdma silarccane smasdnasadysam vidydt tadgrham subhavarjjitam The house where there is no tulasi plant for the worship of the sdlagrdma- sild is compared to a cemetary because it is very inauspicious.

Worship of the Lord without tulasi does not count as worship, bathing the Lord without tulasi does not count as bathing, offering food to the Lord without tulasi does not count as eating (by the Lord), and offering a drink to the Lord without tulasi does not count as drinking.

152 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA brahmahd sa hi goghnasca sa eva gurutalpagah Lord Hari never accepts worship without tulasi. If tulasi leaves are not available then one should simply touch tulasi wood to the body of the Lord. If tulasi wood is not available then one should chant the name of tulasi while worshiping Lord Hari. A person who worships the demigods with tulasi leaves incurs the sins of killing a cow, killing a brdhmana, and having intimate relations with the wife of his spiritual master.

the following verse is found in the Qaruda Purana) tulasi dala sarhmisram harer yacchecca tat sadd One should always offer food to the Lord with tulasi leaves.

The indescribable glories of tulasi, which is very dear to the Supreme Lord, is declared in all scriptures. In this book, we will briefly describe them.

Long ago, at the time of churning the ocean of milk, for the benefit of all living entities, Lord Visnu created tulasi, which contains the essence of all medicinal herbs.

There is no better recipient of chatity than a brahmana. There is no better charity than the gift of a cow. There is no water more sanctified than the water of the Ganges, and there is no better leaf than a tulasi leaf.

One should offer leaves that are not torn and beautiful mafijaris of tulasi, who appeared from the ocean of milk and presented herself before Lord Hari.

ndradiye (In the Narada Purana it is stated) tavad garjanti puspani malatyadini bhusura yavanna prapyate punya tulasi krsnavallabha O brahmana, until the arrival of tulasi, who is very dear to Krsna, flowers such as mdlati can display their pride.

154 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

All kinds of tulasl, whether red or green, are dear to Sri Krsna, just as the Dvadasi of the waxing and waning moon are dear to Him. Jewels, such as the Kaustubha, can exhibit their pride only as long as tulasl leaves or manjaris are not available. In other words, such jewels have little value in front of tulasl.

The wise Tulasi-devi had previously performed severe austerities and then had asked for a benediction. Because of this, she has become the most dear to Lord Krsna among all kinds of flowers and leaves.

Vaisakha'mahatmya section of the Padma Purdna it is stated) sarvvdsdrh patrajdtlndrh tulasl kesavapriyd Among all kinds of leaves, tulasl leaves are most dear to Lord Kesava.

Always, and in all circumstances, tulasi is very dear to Lord Visnu.

I am unable to describe the glories of worshiping the Lord with an offering of tulasi leaves. Tulasi is extremely dear to Lord Hari in His form as the sdiagramasild. Setting an ideal example of chastity, Vrndadevl had worshiped Lord Hari in her previous life and thereby attained this most glorious position.

156 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Pleasing words spoken by Vrnda-devI are certainly in the mode of goodness, and her wrath is in the mode of ignorance. According to these two qualities of Vrnda, Lord Hari displays two different moods. This is the reason that tulasi has two different colors. Although blackish tulasi is certainly dear to Krsna, green tulasi is especially dear to Him.

found in the Dvdrakd-tnahdtmya, it is stated) yatha laksmlh priya visnos tulasi ca tato'dhika Laksmi is certainly dear to Lord Visnu but tulasi is more dear to Him.

Just as yogis are very attached to renunciation and lusty people are very attached to sex—Lord Hari is more attached to tulasi than all the other plants. Lord Hari renounces malati, mukta and lotus flowers and longs for tulasi leaves, even if they are wilted or dry.

found in the Fourth Canto of Srimad'Bhdgavatam) salilaih sucibhir malyair vanyair rnula-phaladibhih

sastdnkurdrhsukais cdrcet tulasyd priyayd prabhum One should worship the Lord by offering pure water, pure flower garlands, fruits, flowers and vegetables, which are available in the forest, or by collecting newly grown grasses, small buds of flowers or even the skins of trees, and if possible, by offering tulasl leaves, which are very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

the following verse was spoken by the gopis) kaccit tulasi kalyani govinda-carana-priye saha tvdli-kulair bibhrad drstas te 'ti-priyo 'cyutah O most kind tulasi, to whom the feet of Govinda are so dear, have you seen that infallible one walk by, wearing you and encircled by swarms of bees?

O Narada, the merit one obtains by worshiping Lord Kesava with offerings of all kinds of flowers and leaves can be obtained simply by worshiping Him with an offering of only one tulasi leaf.

158 SRI HARNBHAKTI-VILASA grhltvd tulasi patrarh bhaktyd madhava arccayet tasya punyaphalarh vaktum alam seso'pi no bhavet Even Lord Ananta is unable to estimate the merit one achieves by worshiping Lord Madhava with offerings of tulasi leaves, rather than mdlati or lotus flowers.

the Magha'tnahatmya section of the Padma Purdna, it is stated) mani kdncana puspani tathd muktdmaydni ca tulasi patra ddnasya kaldrh ndrhanti sodasim One does not receive even one-sixteenth the merit that one obtains by offering tulasi leaves to Lord Visnu if he offers Him golden flowers inlaid with precious jewels and pearls.

One who worships Lord Hari three times every day with offerings of thousands of blue lotus flowers for one hundred years cannot obtain as much merit as can be achieved by worshiping the Lord with tulasi leaves. O learned one, among all flowers, the lotus flower is the best. A garland o{ tulasi leaves is millions of times better than a garland of lotus flowers. By offering a single tulasi leaf on the head of Lord Visnu while chanting an appropriate mantra, one achieves unlimited piety.

O great ascetic, for the members of all varnas and dsramas, there is no other offering in the worship of the Lord that yields as much merit as the offering of tulasi leaves.

Old flowers and fruit should be rejected in the worship of the Lord but old tulasi leaves and Ganges water should never be rejected.

{Tulasi destroys one's sinful reactions when offered to the Lord) pddme (In the Padma Purdna it is stated) sri mat tulasya arccayate-sakrd harirh patraih sugandhair vimalair akhanditaih yas tasya pdparh pata sarhsthitam prabhu niriksayitd mrjate svayarh yamah

160 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Yamaraja, the lord of sinful people, personally searches for and then forgives the reactions of sinful activities performed knowingly or unknowingly of a person who, even once, worships Lord Hari by offering Him fragrant, clean, untorn tulasi leaves.

One who worships the Lord of Dvaraka with one hundred thousand tulasi leaves becomes relieved of all the sinful reactions that were accumulated during millions of previous lives.

Simply by observing the worship of the Deity of Lord Kesava with tulasi leaves, a person becomes freed from the reactions to the sin of killing a brdhmana. What then can be said of the lesser sins committed by a person who worships the Supreme Lord, Hari, with tulasi leaves? Indeed, all of his sinful reactions are nullified.

Tulasl leaves offered on the head of Lord Madhava completely destroy all of the reactions to one's contemptible sinful activities. A person who devotedly cleanses the temple of Lord Hari three times a day by spinkling water mixed with tulasl leaves is freed from the reactions to all kinds of grave sins.

Even if they are enraged, Yamaraja and his followers cannot harm a person who worships Lord Hari, the destroyer of His devotees' distress, with tulasl leaves.

There is no doubt that if a person, whether sinful or pious, worships Lord Visnu with tulasl leaves—he will not have to suffer the pangs of hellish torments. I promise you this.

162 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Long ago, for the purpose of killing Kraunca, the six-headed Karttikeya worshiped Lord Hrsikesa with tender tulasi leaves and thus fulfilled his mission.

agastya samhitdyam (In the Agastya-samhita it is stated) malyani tanvate laksmlrh kusumanta ritanyapi tulasyah svayamanlya nirmmitani tapodhana O empowered ascetic, by preparing a garland of tulasi leaves, placing flowers at intervals, and offering it to the Lord, one's spiritual opulence is enhanced.

skdnde (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) krsna murddhani vinyasta tulasi patra manjarl suvarna koti punyanam phalarh yacchatyato'dhikam tirtha yatrddibhir aho kdlaksepena kirn jandh

yer'ccayanti harer vimvarh tulasi dala komalaih Offering tulasi leaves and manjaris on Lord Krsna's head awards one more merit than a gift cf millions of gold coins in charity. What is the use of wasting time by visiting holy places for those who worship the Deity of Lord Hari with tender tulasi leaves?

What is the use of performing various sacrifices and giving lavish daksinds for a person who prepares a garland of tulasi leaves while placing flowers at intervals and offering it on the head of Lord Ramacandra? What is the use of going to a place of pilgrimage for such a person? There is no need for such a devotee to give charity and undergo severe austerities.

A person who, while carefully controlling his speech after purifying his body, worships Lord Visnu while offering a garland of tulasi leaves obtains the merit of performing millions of sacrifices. Worship of Lord Visnu with a garland of tulasi leaves is the best means for deliverance for those who have fallen into the dark well of material existence.

164 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

O best of birds, a person who picks tulasl leaves from his garden and gives them to someone who is worshiping Lord Hari—he receives one-thirteenth of the merit awarded to the worshiper.

A person who worships Lord Visnu, offering Him a garland of tulasl leaves, obtains the merit of performing ten horse sacrifices for each of the leaves he offers.

One who worships Lord Visnu with an offering of tulasl leaves made with love and devotion automatically worships the demigods, asuras, and respectable human beings. In other words, by worshiping the Lord, everyone becomes pleased.

One who worships the sdlagrdma-sild with offerings of tulasi leaves becomes worshiped with a garland of pdrijdta flowers in the abode of the demigods.

slidnde (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) sa manjari dalair yuktarh tulasi sambhavaih ksitau kurvvanti pujanarh visnos te krtarthdh kalau nardh In this age of Kali, one who worships Lord Visnu with offerings of tulasi mahjaris is certainly glorious.

The path of liberation is wide open for one who offers tulasi leaves, flowers, and fruit to Lord Ramacandra. It is a fact that he will acheive all perfection.

166 SRI HARI'BHAKTI-VILASA

that is found in the Padma Purana, it is stated) tulasi manjarl bhir yah kuryydd hari hararccanam na sa garbha grharh ydti muktibhagl bhavennarah One who worships Lord Hari, along with His consort, with an offering of tulasi manjaris will not again have to enter the womb of a mother because such a person achieves liberation from material bondage.

Foolish people will have to wander within this world of sinful activities for as long as they do not worship Lord Hari with offerings of tulasi leaves made with pure devotion.

One who collects tulasi leaves and offers them while worshiping Me is not born again but attains liberation.

Those who worship Lord Rama with offerings of tulasi leaves every day attain the eternal abode of the Supreme Lord, which is rarely achieved. Such devotees never again experiences birth in this material world. A person who worships Lord Hari with an offering of suitable fruit, leaves, and flowers does not have to again suffer the misery of residing within a mother's womb.

pddme tatraiva (In the Padma Purana it is stated) dropya tulasirh vaisya sarhpujya taddalair harim vasanti moda mdndste yatra devas caturbhujah O vaisya, those who grow tulasi plants and worship Lord Hari with offerings of her leaves will joyfully reside in the abode of the four-armed Supreme Personality of Godhead.

168 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA One who worships Lord Janardana with offerings of blackish and green tulasi leaves attains the eternal position of being an associate of Lord Visnu after giving up His present body.

One who devotedly worships Lord Krsna with offerings of blackish tulasi leaves attains the eternal abode where Lord Visnu is always seen, along with His consort, Laksmi.

is found in the Brhan'tidradiya Purana, it is stated) yorccayed haripdvjarh tulasi komalacchadaih na tasya punaravrttir brahmalokdt kaddcana One who worships the lotus feet of Lord Hari with offerings of tender tulasi leaves never returns to this miserable world after attaining the abode of the Supreme Lord.

Those who give tulasi leaves to sannydsis and other devotees for their worship of Lord Krsna also attain the supreme abode of the Lord.

by the Yamadutas to a brahmana devotee of Visnu is found) sukrtl duskrti vdpi tulasyd yorccayed harim tasydnte hi vayarh nesd visnudutaih sa nlyate Whether pious or sinful, we cannot even touch a person who has worshiped Lord Hari with offerings of tulasi leaves because he is taken away by the Visnudutas.

A sage who has given up all material desires while worshiping the Supersoul, and a devotee who worships Lord Visnu with offerings of tulasi leaves are considered to be equal in status.

brdhme (In the Brahma Purana it is stated) tulasi dala gandhena mdlatl kusumena ca kapildkslra ddnena sadyas tusyati keiavah Lord Kesava becomes very easily pleased by the fragrance of tulasi leaves, maiati flowers, and the milk of a brown cow.

170 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Kartika'tnahatmya section of the Padma Purana, it is stated) ityevarh vallabhd visnoh purvva janmani athddhund prlyate pujitd hyasyd dalair daitya valdntakdh In this way, Vrnda, who was Tulasi in her previous life, became very dear to Lord Visnu. That is why—if the Supreme Lord, the destroyer of the demons, is worshiped by an offering of her leaves, He becomes extremely pleased.

Being worshied by an offering of tulasi leaves, Lord Acyuta becomes more pleased than when He is worshiped by an offering of flowers made of gold and jewels.

that is found in the Skanda Purana, it is stated) patrarh pusparh phalarh toyarh tulasi gandha vdsitam phalarh laksa gunarh proktarh kesavdya niveditam tulasi gandha misrantu yat kincit kurute hareh kalpa koti sahasrani prito bhavati kesavah

By offering tulasi leaves to Lord Kesava, along with flowers, fruit, and water, a devotee obtains one hundred thousand times more credit than if he had not offered any tulasi leaves. Anything can be offered to the Lord with tulasi leaves placed on top. Indeed, this will ensure that the worshiper receives the Lord's favor.

found in the Dvdrakd'mahatmya, it is stated) yah punas tulasi patraih komalair manjarl yutaih pujayet sutra vaddhaistu krsnarh devaki nandanam yd gatir yoga yuktanam yd gatir yajna silinam yd gatir ddna sildndrh yd gatis tirtha sevindm yd gatir mdtrbhaktdndrh dvadasivedha varjjindm kurvvatdrh jdgararh visnor nrtyatdrh gdyatarh phalam vaisnavdndntu bhaktdnarh yat phalarh vedavddindm pathatdrh vaisnavarfi sdstrarh vaisnavebhydsca yacchatdm phalarh etan mahlpala labhate ndtra sarhsayah O King, one who worships the son of Devaki with a garland of tender tulasi leaves and flowers certainly attains the same merit and destination achieved by those who practice mystic yoga, perform sacrifice, travel to the holy places of pilgrimage, faithfully serve their mother, follow the vow of Dvadasi, engage in chanting and dancing before the Deities while remaining awake the entire night for His pleasure, worship Lord Visnu, study the Vedas,

172 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA study the Vaisnava literature, and give such literature in charity. There is no doubt of this.

the month of Karttika is described as follows) gavdm ayutaddnena yat phalarh labhate khaga tulasi patraka ikena tat phalarh kdrttike smrtam O great bird, the result one obtains by giving ten thousand cows in charity can be obtained by offering only one tulasi leaf to the Supreme Lord during the month of Karttika.

that is found in the Skanda Purdna it is stated) tulasi dala laksena kdrttike yor'ccayed harim patre patre munisrestham mauktikarh labhate phalam O foremost sage, those who worship Lord Hari with an offering of one hundred thousand tulasi leaves during the month of Karttika certainly advance on the path of pure devotional service, which includes liberation, with each leaf offered.

My dear son, for those who worship Lord Janardana with offerings of tulasi leaves during the entire month of Karttika—all of their sinful reactions that were accumulated during the past ten thousand lifetimes are eradicated. The merit one achieves by performing one hundred horse sacrifices and giving a huge quantity of jewels and other valuable things in charity can be achieved simply by worshiping Lord Kesava with offerings of tulasi leaves during the month of Karttika.

O sage, a person who picks tulasi leaves and then offers them while worshiping Lord Hari, the master of the demigods, throughout the month of Karttika, certainly attains the highest destination.

Lord Kesava becomes very pleased with a devotee who preapares a garland of tulasi leaves and manjaris and then offers it to Him. Indeed, He awards such a devotee residence in the spiritual world.

174 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purdna it is also stated) sndtvd mahdnadl toye komalais tulasl dalaih yor'ccayen mddhavam mdghe kuldndm tdrayecchatam sukomalair dalair yastu mafijarlbhir jandrddanam arccayen magha mdse tu krutundm labhate phalam A person who, after bathing in a sacred river, worships Lord Madhava with offerings of tender tulasl leaves during the month of Magha delivers one hundred generations of his family. A person who, during the month of Magha, worships Lord Janardana with soft tulasl leaves and manjarls receives the merit of conducting all kinds of sacrifices.

skdnde (In the Skanda Purdna it is stated) sarhpujya tulasl bhaktyd ghanasydmarh jandrddanam caturo vdrsikdn mdsdn asvamedhdyutarh labhet By worshiping the blackish personality, Lord Janardana, with a garland of tulasl leaves during the four months of caturmasya, one achieves the merit of performing ten thousand horse sacrifices.

the Vaisakhu-mdhatmya section of the Padma Purdna, it is stated) tuldsl gaura krsnakhyd taydbhyarccya madhudvisam visesena tu vaisdkhe naro nardyano bhavet mddhavarh sakalarh mdsarh tulasyd yor'ccayen narah trisandhyarh madhu hantdrarh ndsti tasya punarbhava By worshiping Lord Madhusudana with an offering of blackish and green tulasi leaves, especially in the month of Vaisakha, devotees can become qualitatively one with Lord Narayana. Those who worship Lord Hari, the enemy of the demon Madhu, three times every day throughout the entire month of Vaisakha with offerings of tulasi leaves will no longer have to experience birth in this material world.

vdyupurane (In the Vdyu Purdna it is stated) asndtvd tulaslrh chittvd yah pujdrh kurute narah so'paradhl bhavet satyarh tat sarvvarh nisphalam bhavet Someone who picks tulasi leaves without first having bathed certainly commits an offense. Because of this, all of his good work is considered to be useless labor only.

skdnde (In the Skanda Purdna it is stated)

176 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA tulasydmrtajanmdsi sadd warn kesavapriyd kesavdrthe vicinvdmi varadd bhava sobhane tvadanga sambhavaih patraih pujaydmi yathd harim tathd kuru pavitrdhgi kalau malavinasini O beantiful one! O Tulasi-devi, you have appeared from nectar and you are always very dear to Lord Kesava. I am picking your leaves for the worship of Lord Kesava and so, please bless me. O embodiment of purity! O destroyer of the contamination of Kali! Kindly help me so that I may be able to worship Lord Hari with your tender leaves.

O Tulasi-devi! You are the only cause of liberation. There is no one within the entire world who is greater than you. You are the spiritual master of everyone and you are very dear to Lord Visnu. Therefore, for the worship of the Lord, I am picking your best leaves and manjaris. Please forgive me.

After chanting this mantra and offering obeisances to Tulasi-devi, one should carefully pick her leaves and manjaris with the right hand, one at a time, and keep them on a clean plate.

skdnde (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) mantrendnena yah kuryyddgrhitvd tulasldalam pujanam vdsudevasya laksa-kotiphalam labhet One who worships Lord Vasudeva with offerings of tulasl leaves after chanting the mantra for picking them receives millions of times more merit for whatever pious or devotional activities he performs.

The fingers of those who pick tulasi leaves from their garden every day for the worship of the salagrdmasild are certainly glorious. The earth where tulasl plants grow is also glorious. Although it is stated in the smrti literature that one should not pick tulasi on the new moon day, full moon day, DvadasI, or Sunday—the devotees of Lord Visnu avoid picking tulasi only on DvadasI.

visnudharmmottare (In the Visnu-dharmottara it is stated)

178 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA na chindydt tulasirh viprd dvddasydrh vaisnavah kvacit O brdhmanas, Vaisnavas should never pick tuiasi on Dvadasi.

A pious person who desires a long duration of life should not pick tuiasi on Dvadasi, and durbd grass on Sunday. If one does so, his duration of life will certainly diminish.

the Kdrtihi'tnahdtmya section of the Padma Purana it is stated) dvddasydrh tulaslpatrarh dhdtrlpatranca kdrttike lundti sa naro gacchen niraydnati garhitdn A person who picks tuiasi leaves on Dvadasi and dhdtri leaves during the month of Karttika will surely go to the darkest hell.

There is no fault in picking tuiasi for the Supreme Lord, collecting wood for a fire sacrifice, and cutting grass for cows, on the new moon day.

After completing the worship of the Supreme Lord in this way, one should, according to rules laid down by his sampradaya, perform various nydsas, chant the prescribed mantras, and then worship each letter of the mantras he has chanted.

While performing the nydsa, one should also worship the mantras, and the letters and words of the mantras, as well as the flute, garden, Srivatsa and Kaustubha gem.

Thereafter, one should offer flowers to the Lord three times while chanting the mula-mantra and begging Him for permission to begin the worship of His associates.

180 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Next, one should invoke each of the associates of the Lord, bathe them, and worship them with offerings of sandalwood paste and flowers.

On the four sides of the Lord's altar, one should worship His associates— Vasudama, Sudama, Dama and Kinkini. While worshiping them, one should chant, om vasuddmaya namah.

Outside the altar, one should worship the anga-devatds as being situated in the four corners while chanting the appropriate mantras that begin with their names. For examples—hrim hrdaydya namah, sirase svaha, and so on.

Beyond the second circle, one should worship the eight principal queens of Lord Krsna as being situated in the eight petals of a lotus. They are Rukmini, Satyabhama, Nagnajiti, Sunanda, Mitravinda, Sulaksana, Jamvavati, and Susila. This is the third circle of the Lord's associates.

Thereafter, one should worship Vasudeva, Devaki, Nanda, Yasoda, Balarama, Subhadra, and the other cowherd inhabitants of Vraja as being very well dressed and situated on the eight leaves of the lotus. One should also worship the gopis as being situated a little distance from Lord Krsna, due of modesty. This is the fourth circle of associates of the Lord.

182 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA karnikdydnca sampujya manddrarh devaprsthatah Thereafter, one should worship the manddra tree in back of the Supreme Lord, followed by the five celestial desire trees that fulfill all desires. Beyond that, in the four corners, one should worship the santdna, parijata, kalpavrksa, and haricandana trees. This is the fifth circle of associates of the Lord.

Beyond that, one should worship the demigods, such as Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairta, Vayu, Varuna, Kuvera, Isana, Ananta (who is situated between Nairta and Varuna), and Brahma (who is situated between Indra and Rudra) while chanting the appropriate mantras. They are very nicely dressed and they should be worshiped along with their associates, weapons and carriers. This is the sixth circle of associates of the Lord.

Beyond that, one should worship the principal associates of the Lord, along with their weapons and ornaments. These associates are situated in the eight directions. They are of various complexions and characteristics. Next, one should worship the vajra, sakti, danda, khadga, pasa, ankusa, club and triiiila in the eight directions, and the cakra and padma as being above and below, respectively.

visrwdharmmottare (In the Visnu-dharmottara it is stated) sankharh cakrarh gadam padmarh tomaram musalam halam anyadvapi hareh sastrarh smrtva papat pramucyate Just by remembering any of Lord Sri Hari's weapons, such as the sankha, cakra, gada, padma, plough, stick, or lance—one is freed from all sinful reactions. This is the seventh circle of associates of the Lord.

Worship of these seven circles of the Lord's associates awards one all kinds of happiness. If one is unable to worship all seven circles of associates then he should at least worship the three special associates—Ahga, Indra, and Vajra.

184 SRIHARI-BHAKTI-VILASA The devotees of the Supreme Lord know that worship of these associates is particularly meant for those who desire to conquer their enemies or have another such motive. For those who have such a desire, it is impossible to have a connection with Krsna without the mercy of one of His associates, such as Rukmini.

The devotees of the Supreme Lord should first worship the His beloved associates, such as Sri Radha and the others in the first circle, while meditating on them. Although, out of shyness, they may stay some distance from the Lord—at the time of worship, they remain by His side.

Thereafter, one should worship the cowherd boys that are of the same age as Krsna. After that, one should worship the elderly cowherd men, such as Nanda, and the elderly cowherd women, such as Yasoda and Rohini. This should be followed by worship of the cows, calves, bulls, deer, and other animals. At the time of worshiping the Supreme Lord, one should not forget to worship the demigods, headed by Brahma.

One should worship Lord Balarama as being sometimes with Krsna and sometimes with mother Rohinl. Narada Muni should be worshiped as wandering about in jublilation nearby. In this way, one should engage in meditation and worship. Whatever mode of worship is suitable and pleasing to the devotees is approved by Sri Krsna and saintly persons.

Third Canto of the Srimad-Bhdgavatam, it is stated) tdny eva te 'bhirupdni rupdni bhagavariis tava ydni ydni ca rocante sva-jandndm arupinah yad-yad-dhiyd ta urugdya vibhdvayanti tat-tad-vapuh pranayase sad-anugrahdya My dear Lord, although You have no material form, You have Your own innumerable forms. They truly are Your transcendental forms, which are pleasing to Your devotees. You are so merciful to Your devotees that You manifest Yourself in the particular eternal form of transcendence in which they always think of You.

186 SRIHARI'BHAKTI-VILASA Thereafter, one should worship the eight principal names of Krsna, while offering flowers. If one is unable to worship the Lord in the above- mentioned manner then he should worship these eight holy names of the Lord. This will award him the merit of ail kinds of worship.

The eight names are—Sri Krsna, Vasudeva, Narayana, Devaki-nandana, Yadusresta, Varsneha, Asurakranta-bhara-hari, and Dharma-sthapaka. These holy names should be worshiped by pronouncing the name in the fourth dative case, ending with the word, namah. For example—Sri Krsnaya namah.