Publisher's Synopsis
Indian authorities have always urged the necessity for worshipping the deity with fruits, flowers, leaves, twigs and grasses. This book is the first monograph on the widespread ritual significance of grasses (gramineae). It deals with many traditional, popular, in some cases already prehistoric beliefs and practices. It describes the ritual uses introduced and systematized by the Vedic authorities, their attempts to motivate the function of grasses in accordance with their philosophy and views of natural phenomena and ritual processes. Attention is mainly focused on the interpretation of the texts and the interpretation of rites and myths.
