Nīlī
Nīlī · nīlī, “the blue one”
Grammar: feminine noun, from nīla (blue, dark): “the blue one”, the indigo plant and its dye.
Meaning: the blue dye plant and the dye made from it.
In the scriptures: the Bhavishya Purāṇa gives the fault of nīlī and its expiations. Brahmā tells Dindi that on the Rahasyā Saptamī one does not wear blue. Karma done wearing a blue garment is in vain: snāna, dāna, japa, homa, Veda study, pitṛ-tarpaṇa and mahāyajña done in a garment of blue thread are all in vain.
- A brāhmaṇa who once wears a nīlī-dyed garment is cleansed by fasting one day and one night and taking pañcagavya.
- If any blue colour enters the pores of the body, such a one becomes patita (fallen), and is purified by three sāntapanas.
- If a nīlī stick strikes the body of brāhmaṇas and blood is seen, the Cāndrāyaṇa Vrata must be done.
- If anyone in ignorance cleans his teeth with a nīlī twig, he is purified by two kṛcchra vratas.
- Land planted with nīlī is impure for twelve years.
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 65
Related terms: Pañcagavya · Kṛcchra · Cāndrāyaṇa · Prāyaścitta
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 65