Jīraka

Jīraka, “cumin”

Grammar: masculine noun.

Meaning: cumin.

In the scriptures: In the Rambhā vrata that Śrī Kṛshṇa teaches Yudhishṭhira, jīrā (cumin) is first of the Saubhāgyāshṭaka, the eight things offered before Mahādevī Rudrāṇī (Bhavishya Purāṇa, Uttara Parva, Chapters 18–19). Śrī Kṛshṇa also gives the rule that Bhagavān Śaṅkara told for the pleasure of Devī Pārvatī. On the tṛtīyā of Pausha one fasts, does pūjā, takes gomūtra at night, and at dawn feeds brāhmaṇas and gives gold and jīraka as means allow. Jīraka is also among the things offered in the pūjā of Devadeveśa (Uttara Parva, Chapter 24).

Related terms: Bījapūraka · Dāna

Sources

• Bhavishya Purāṇa, Uttara Parva, Chapters 18–19, 24