I'm fairly new to Puja. I live in the U.S. and am white. My husband gave me white flowers for Valentine's Day. Can these be offered for Puja if they were a gift from my husband??
In our family, we traditionally buy puja flowers separately, only for God. That is, we do not use flowers that have been purchased for other reasons. I am not sure if it is a hard and fast rule though.
As long it is not worn by us, not smelled it is used to adorn. When you are in doubt do the easiest yet satisfying next best thing. Place it in a vase on front of god or place then in a bowl of water like this. Image courtesy google
Thank you so much for responding. I want to please God and not offend, so it was an important question to me. Thanks!
Thank you Yes, I do place the flowers in a small silver cup of water. I decided to use the flowers I previously bought for God and not the ones my husband bought for me. It did help my conscience.
The flowers to be offered to God should be either plucked freshly (if you have plant at home) or buy it specifically for puja. You are not supposed to use the flowers gifted to you or the flowers which you bought but smelled it or worn it in your hair.
I have heard this before about not smelling the flowers before offering......but what if they are very fragrant? How can a person not smell them if they perfume the whole room? I am asking sincerely. I am new and trying to understand. Maybe you mean not putting our nose purposely over the flowers to smell them.