Flower in Balinese Life
Flowers are important things for Balinese, since in every single day, Balinese need flowers for praying and also as offering to God. However not many Balinese know what kind of flowers is appropriate for praying and offering such as Canang (an opened-square made from coconut leaves use in praying and giving tribute to God).
Based on Ngurah Nala’s article (Sarad Magazine edition January 22nd 2002), Actually all flowers can be used for praying. Although, there are some rule in choosing flower in order to use them for praying. Flower which is withering are forbidden to use. Moreover, using flower that is picked from the ground because it falls off from its twig is also forbidden.
It is better using flower that is picked from its twig intentionally. Fresh flower without bug bite is suggested to use. Actually dirty flowers can not use in praying but Balinese use it with many considerations; of course they wash that flower with clean water. In addition before using it for praying the flower must be purified above burning incense with special incantation “om puspa dantaya nama swaha”.
Balinese believe that gemitir (a fragrant orange flower), flower which grow in the graveyard, and flower which is struck by lightning are forbidden to use in praying. However there are no sources that explain it.
Generally, the explanation about the forbidden flower only based on the myth in lontar (an old manuscript). In Lontar Aji Janantaka, Siwa (goddess) change all of people in Janantaka to be trees. Siwa did it because he wanted to come to the earth in order to help people of Janantaka and he can meet the human directly.
Finally, he came to Janantaka. All of trees and other plant came to him to be purified. Altough, Jempiring alit (tuludnyuh) and salikonta did not come and there are no explanations about the reason why. So, Siwa forbade these flowers to be used in praying. Other lotar, Wariga Gemet, explain that those flower can be used in pitra yadnya.
It is need to remember that Balinese use flowers to pray Ida Sang Hyang Widhi so that flowers which are used must be clean and holy.
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March 13th, 2008 06:19
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March 13th, 2008 06:46
I’ve always been fascinated by flowers in Kekawin poetry, it’s a pity that the gardening industry doesn’t pay more attention to indigenous plants, such as the Nagasari (does anyone know where in Bali there are still examples) or the Asoka.
March 13th, 2008 12:44
there are some Nagasari plants in my Banjar. we have one in our clan temple.
March 18th, 2008 13:51
There’s a Nagasari in Ubud west of the Pura Desa. We have an anak of that at our house in Tegalsuci.