Turushka (Incense)
Turushka · turushka, “a fragrant incense”
Grammar: masculine noun; the name of a fragrant substance used as incense.
Meaning: a fragrant substance, one of the fragrances that are not to be used at śrāddha, the rite for the pitṛs (ancestors).
In the scriptures: in the Brahma Purāṇa, Vyāsa teaches the munis what may and may not be offered at śrāddha. Among the fragrances and roots that are forbidden he names pūtika, mṛganābhi (musk), gorocana, padma-candana, kāleyaka, ugragandha, turushka, pālaṅka, kumārī, kirāta, piṇḍamūlika, gṛñjana, jīvaśata, pushpanālika, gandhaśūkara, halabhṛtya, sarshapa (mustard), the onion, garlic, mānakanda, vishakanda, vajrakanda, gadāsthika, purushālva and piṇḍālu (Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 220).
Related terms: Śrāddha · Pitṛ · Gorocana · Kāleyaka
Sources
- Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 220