Garika
Garika
Grammar: feminine noun; the name as the Telugu text prints it.
Meaning: a grass, whose flowers and blades are used in pūjā and in the bath of a mūrti.
In the scriptures: Sumantu tells Śatānīka the Vināyaka Śānti. When the bali has been offered, one establishes Devī Pārvatī, the mother of Vināyaka, offers her three pushpāñjalis of garika flowers and mustard flowers, and prays to the Bhagavatī for beauty, fame, aiśvarya, sons, wealth, a steady mind and renown on earth (Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 23).
Nārada, teaching Sāmba the snāna of the Sūrya mūrti at its pratishṭhā, names the things gathered for the first bath: maṇis and ratnas, oshadhis with seeds, fragrant flowers, candanas, and herbs such as ponnaganṭi, suvarcala, niḍumuste, vishṇukrānta, garika, śibipushpi, pippali, kōriṃda and vasa (Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 135).
Related terms: Vināyaka Śānti · Pushpāñjali · Snāna
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapters 23, 135