Kaul Prasad, a blessing from Kuladevata

Has it ever happened to you that you were praying in a temple asking for something in your heart and a flower, leaf or garland adorning the idol fell down and you took it as a sign almost an answer to your prayers?

Growing up I heard stories about marriages being decided based on such occurences(प्रसाद पळ्ळो). Except this was not random. This ritual would be performed at a temple; the priest would place a flower on the deity and do an Aarti (waving of fire lamp accompanied with chanting of prayers). The family seeking the answer would stand nervously waiting for the flower to drop and the priest would interpret the answer. This divine approval was not always a guarantee of a successful marriage. But I guess there is always some assurance in knowing that we have been granted blessings from a more powerful all-knowing entity.

When kannada movie Kantara became a box office hit, the concept of the divine communicating with humans through a medium became more known. This is a concept that has existed in religions and cultures through time. How it works and whether it works or not is down to the beliefs of individuals.

During my first trip to Shri Damodar temple, Jambavli , I observed families gathered in front of an idol while the priest adorned it with flowers. There was a palpable tension in the atmosphere. Initially, I presumed they were participating in a puja on behalf of a family facing challenges. What struck me was the family appeared to be Christian based on their attire. Nevertheless, India is fundamentally a secular nation, and in times of crisis, individuals across various communities often seek solace and blessings from deities and saints of different faiths. I then got to know that this practice is known as Kaul Prasad, which is observed in most Goan Saraswat temples although performed in different forms.

Kaul Prasad (कौल प्रसाद) is an ancient ritual adhered to by individuals who hold the belief that divine entities will provide answers to their inquiries. The term Kaul is likely a truncation of Kulavi, referring to communities affiliated with specific deities. Consequently, Kaul Prasad can be interpreted as the blessings bestowed upon the Kulavi, akin to a decree from the deity.

Individuals identifying as Kulavis engage with their respective kuldevatas to seek permissions prior to embarking on significant life events, such as marriages, business ventures, or resolving familial disputes. Many have attested to the authenticity of this practice, and ultimately, its efficacy is largely contingent upon personal faith. While this ritual is observed in a limited number of temples across India, it holds substantial prominence in Goa.

It is noteworthy that the Prasad Kaul of the deities is sought not only by the G.S.B.s but also by those original G.S.B.s who were forcibly converted during the Portuguese regime. Such converted devotees are afforded priority in receiving the Kaul. Indeed, at the Shantadurga temple, when the Devi does not bestow the Kaul for an extended period, the brahmin priest from the temple, acting on behalf of the devotees, ventures out to ascertain whether any converted Kulavi has arrived to seek her Kaul. In such instances, the Kaul is first requested for the converted Kulavi, and only thereafter does the Devi grant the Kaul to the G.S.B. Kulavi.

The methodology of conducting the ritual varies depending on the temple and the specific deity involved. One common approach involves the use of a Patta, which is a wooden board featuring strategically arranged holes. Devotees insert various flowers, petals, buds, and leaves—items favored by the deity—into these holes following a particular pattern. Alternatively, flowers may be affixed directly onto an idol designated for Kaul, referred to as the Prasada Murti, particularly where the deity is represented in Linga form. Each location imbues its own interpretations of Kaul, and these interpretations are significantly influenced by the insights of the interpreter, typically the temple priest. The ritual of using flower petals is also called Pakhali (Petals) Prasad. The priest’s expertise in this spiritual discipline is crucial, both for accurately framing the questions presented and for discerning the responses received.

At the Damodara temple:

Kaul Prasad is taken by applying tumba flowers at specific spots on the Prasad Shivalinga. Every place on the Prasad Shivalinga has its own meaning and accordingly, the Prasad Kaul is interpreted.

Do you know more about such rituals in Goa, please email me at [email protected]