Agni Purana
by N. Gangadharan | 1954 | 360,691 words | ISBN-10: 8120803590 | ISBN-13: 9788120803596
This page describes Mode of planting trees (vriksha-pratishtha) which is chapter 70 of the English translation of the Agni Purana, one of the eighteen major puranas dealing with all topics concerning ancient Indian culture, tradition and sciences. Containing roughly 15,000 Sanskrit metrical verses, subjects contained in the Agni-Purana include cosmology, philosophy, architecture, iconography, economics, diplomacy, pilgrimage guides, ancient geography, gemology, ayurveda, etc.
Chapter 70 - Mode of planting trees (惫峁沰峁-辫谤补迟颈峁ａ弓丑腻)
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
The Lord said:
1-2. I shall describe the mode of planting trees [i.e., 惫峁沰峁-辫谤补迟颈峁ａ弓丑腻] conferring enjoyment and emancipation. The trees having been smeared with all the herbs and adorned with fragrant powders should be decorated with flower garlands. Cloth should be put around them. (The rite known as) the perforation of the ear should be done for them with a golden needle.
3-4. Collyrium should be applied with a short stick. Seven kinds of fruits (should be placed) on the platform. The pitchers should be consecrated. The offering should be made for (the gods) Indra and others and the consecration should be done. Oblations to the fire should be done for (the sake of) plants.. Remaining in the midst of trees [i.e., 惫峁沰峁] a cow should be let off with the (recitation of) 补产丑颈峁办补尘补苍迟谤补.
5-6. Brahmins should bathe the trees as well as the 测补箩补尘腻苍补 with the waters of pitchers placed in the platform with (the recitation of) the 峁沰, yajus, 蝉腻尘补 mantras and also that of 惫补谤耻峁嘺 accompanied by auspicious music. The 测补箩补尘腻苍补 should adorn (himself) and should present the fees as well as a cow, ornament and cloth.
7. Food should be given along with milk (to brahmins) for four days consecutively. Oblation should be made with sesamum and twigs of 辫补濒腻艣补 (tree). The sacrificial priest should be paid the fees double (the value of what is given to other brahmins).
8. The construction of sheds etc. here should be done as. laid down earlier. The consecration of trees [i.e., 惫峁沰峁] and a garden destroys one鈥檚 sins and gets the highest merit.
9. Listen to the (mode of) installation (of the image) of 厂奴谤测补 (sun), 骋补峁噀艣补, the goddess (骋补耻谤墨) and the attendant deities of Lord Hari as described by 莫艣a (艢颈惫补) to Skanda (earlier).