नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

-III. 44 ] PUJA TO THE GODS OF THE STAGE 37

Offering Pūjā to the gods

33. After they have been installed with regular ceremony in suitable places they should be worshipped in a fitting manner.

34. Gods [in general] should be given white¹ garlands and unguents, while Gandharvas, Agni and Sūrya should be given garlands and unguents of red² colour.

35. After being treated [thus] in due order and manner they should be worshipped according to rules with suitable offerings.

36-39. [Offerings suitable to different gods and goddesses are as follows] : Brahman Madhuparka¹, Sarasvatī Pāyasa², gods like Śiva, Viṣṇu, and Indra sweetmeats. Agni rice cooked with ghee, Candra and Sūrya rice cooked with molasses, Viśvedevas, Gandharvas and sages honey and Pāyasa, Yama and Mitra cakes and sweetmeats, Pitṛs, Piśācas and Uragas ghee and milk, host of Bhūtas rice cooked with meat, wines of different kinds and grams covered with thick milk.

Consecration of the Mattavāraṇī

40-44. Similar shall be the rules regarding the Pūjā in connexion with the Mattavāraṇī. [Offerings to be made to different gods and demigods are as follows] : Rākṣasas half-cooked meat, Dānavas wine and meat, the remaining gods cake and Utkarikā² and boiled rice, gods of seas and rivers fish and cakes, Varuṇa ghee and Pāyasa, Sages various roots and fruits, the wind god and birds different edible stuff (lit. bhakṣya and bhojya), Mothers³ of the

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33 (B.34, G.34).
34 (B.35, G.35). ¹ 'White' here seems to be the symbol of purity and good grace.
² 'Red' here seems to be the symbol of energy.
35 (B. 35, G.36).
36-39. (B. 37-40, G. 37-40). ¹ madhuparka—see above II. 41-42. note 3.
² pāyasa—see above II. 41-42 note.
40-44. (B.41 45, G.41-45). ¹ See above.
² utkarikā—a kind of sweetmeat.
³ These goddesses seem to have been ignored by the Purāṇas.