Sunday 5 July 2015

Archana Bhakti is one form of Bhakti. Archana is to offer beautiful and fragrant flowers in worship of God. God is pleased with whatever we offer him with love.


Archana Bhakti is one form of Bhakti. Archana is to offer beautiful and fragrant flowers in worship of God. God is pleased with whatever we offer him with love. Lord Krishna says ~ "leaves, flowers, water, fruits, whatever my devotee offers me with deep love and devotion, I become pleased with him and I personally come to receive it. No matter how expansive is the offering, I see only see devotion" Rukmini offered only one leaf of Tulsi, basil, against all the wealth of satyabhama to measure the weight of Lord Krishna. Lord Vishnu offered lotus flowers to Shiva to please him, when he prayed and chanted his name. He offered one thousand lotus flowers to Shiva everyday when finally Shiva asked him for a boon. In fact flowers constitute an important offering made to the deities. Flowers are used while doing pooja at home, temples and at sacred places. Rarely do we come across a pooja in Hindu religion without flowers. The idol in temple and home is decorated with garlands of flowers and leaves. Flowers are also placed at the feet of deity and the idol is also showered with flowers.Significance of flowers is also mentioned in Vedas and Puranas. .."Flowers gladden the mind and confer prosperity.. Hence, men of righteous deeds bestowed the name Sumanas on them. That man who is in a state of purity offers flowers unto the deities finds that the deities become gratified with him, and as the consequence of such gratification bestow prosperity upon him. O ruler of Daityas, those deities unto whom worshippers offer flowers, uttering their names the while, become gratified with the offers in consequence of their devotion" ~ Mahabharata. The deities become gratified with the scent of flowers. They are capable of accomplishing every object by merely wishing its accomplishment. As such, when gratified with devotees offering them flowers, they cause all the objects cherished by their worshippers to be immediately accomplished. Gratified, they gratify their worshippers. Honoured, they cause their worshippers to enjoy all honours.
Love, Happiness & Blessings ~ Om Namah Shivaya!

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