I have grown up hearing stories about marriages being decided based on whether a flower dropped from the idol or not (प्रसाद पळ्ळो). This ritual as I understood was performed at a temple where the priest would place a flower on the deity and do an Aarti. The family asking whether the marriage should go ahead or not would stand nervously waiting for the flower to drop and the priest would interpret the answer. Not all of these marriages survived! But I guess there is always some assurance in knowing that we have been granted blessings from God himself/herself.
When 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 through religions and cultures through time. How it works and whether it works or not is down to the belief of individuals.
On my temple trips to Goa, I saw families sitting in reverence in front of an idol while the priest attached flowers to it. I could sense the tension in the air. In my naivety, the first time I thought it was a certain puja conducted on behalf of the family that is distress. However, later I realised that this is the practice of Kaul Prasad followed across all the Goan Saraswat temples.
Kaul Prasad (कौल प्रसाद) is an ancient ritual followed by those who believe that God will answer their questions. Kaul possibly is a short form for Kulavi i.e. communities aligned to that particular God/Goddess. Hence Kaul Prasad could mean blessings given to the Kulavi. Almost a verdict given by the deity!
Kulavis reach out to their respective kuldevatas and ask for permissions before undertaking marriages, ventures, resolving any family disputes etc. Some have experienced its authenticity and at the end of the day it is all about one’s faith. This ritual is followed in very few temples in India but is largely prevalent in Goa.
How the ritual is done depends on the temple and the deity. One way of doing it is by using a Patta which use is a holes wooden board. Different flowers, petals, buds, leaves that are favourite to the deity whose blessings are sought are inserted into these holes in a certain pattern. Another way is by sticking flowers on the an idol only used for Kaul called Prasada Murti – this practice is mainly usually followed where the deity is in Linga form. Every place has its own meaning and accordingly the Kaul is interpreted. The role of the interpreter usually the temple priest is very important here. His knowledge of this science is key to framing the question correctly and interpreting the answers.
At the Shantadurga temple:
Just below the main sitting place of Shree Shantadurga devi is a Patta [belt] which is called the Prasad Patta or the Sinh Patta. This Patta is made of copper and the width of this Patta is 24 inches X 12 inches. On this Patta, there is a picture of a lion [Sinh] which is 9 inches in width and 9 inches in height. Hence it is also called Sinh Patta.
On this patta, people offer Prasad puja for seeking Devi’s permission (Kaul) for undertaking new ventures, marriages, etc. and blessings for fulfillment of their wishes. For seeking Devi’s Kaul, flowers, petals and buds of the red Patala (Patkuli) flower are placed at 58 specific places over the patta. At 9 places full flowers are placed, at 18 places buds are placed and at 31 places petals are placed. Every place has its own meaning and accordingly the Devi’s Kaul is interpreted.
This PrasadKaul can be taken throughout the year except during the period of Shukl and Krishna Panchami, Ashwin Shukl Pratipada to Dashmi, Magh Shukla Pratipada to Shashti and from Phalgun Krishn Pratipada to Shashti.
At the Damodara temple:
Prasad Kaul 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.
It would be interesting to note that the PrasadKaul of the deities is sought not only by the G.S.B.’s but also by the original G.S.B.’s who were forcibly converted during the Portuguese regime. Such converted devotees are given priority for the Kaul. In fact, at the Shantadurga temple when the Devi does not give Kaul for a long time, the brahmin priest from the temple seeking the Kaul on behalf of the devotees goes out to check whether any converted Kulavi has come to seek her Kaul and if so, first the kaul is sought for the converted Kulavi and only after that the Devi gives Kaul to the G.S.B. Kulavi.