Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c10.s1.42

c10.s1.42

After performing the Saṃdhyā, the devotee should cleanse the temple, sprinkle and besmear it on all sides with cow-dung, earth and water. He should adorn it by drawing various kinds of figure, such as Maṇḍalas of lotus and Svastikas, with earth, Dhātu-rāga (coloured mineral), Varṇaka (pigment) and powder of various colours, placing flagstaffs and flags, fastening garlands and planting pillars of plaintain trees. The methods and results of these pious acts are described in detail. Then, after cleansing the utensils, clothes and seats of Viṣṇu in the manner described in the scriptures and Smṛtis, he should gather Tulasi leaves, flowers, twigs etc. necessary for worship. Regarding the plucking of flowers, Hārita is of opinion that flowers, which are plucked before one takes one's bath, are never acceptable to the gods, but Gopāla Bhaṭṭa thinks that Hārita's remark is applicable only to the midday bath. Gopāla Bhaṭṭa also differs from the *Padma-purāṇa* in the view expressed in the work that Tulasi leaves plucked before bath cannot be used in the worship of gods, unless they are sanctified by the Pañcagavya; for he thinks that there are other texts to the contrary.