Panchamrita
Panchamrita (lit. five Amṛtas in Sanskrit) is a mixture of five foods used in Hindu worship and puja[1] which are usually honey, Liquid Jaggery, milk , yogurt and ghee.[2][3]
Preparation
Appropriate quantities of Milk (cow milk), Yogurt, Honey, Liquid jaggery and Ghee are mixed together.[2][3] However, there may be certain regional variations in ingredients. Most south Indians add ripe banana[4] as well. Panchamrita is an Ayurvedic preparation but has been manipulated in several places to cut costs and increase keeping value. Until 1890, bananas were not used.
पयोदधिघृतं चैव मधु च शर्करायुतं।
पंचामृतं मयानीतं स्नानार्थं प्रतिगृह्यताम।।
Nowadays some people use Sugar instead of jaggery, which is not accepted by all as sugar is not a natural element like jaggery and sugar is refined with bone charcoal which makes it inappropriate to use for pooja.
In Palani Murugan temple, Tamil Nadu, Panchamrita is used in abisheka and distributed as prasad. This panchamirtam consist of Banana (Only Virupatchi plantain variety), Sugar, Ghee, Honey, Seedless Dates, Cardamom and Sugar Candy.[5] Banana used here is Virupatchi variety, grows only in Palani hills and has very low water content.[6]
Keralites may also include tender coconut. Some recipes also include grapes.[7]
Usage
- It is used as an offering during poojas.
- It is used as a libation during Abhisheka.
- It is also used as a skin cleanser.
- It was introduced into the practice of African American hoodoo folk-magic by the occult writer Henri Gamache during the 1940s.[8]
References
- ^ For definition of पञ्चामृत (IAST: pañcāmṛta ) as "the collection of five sweet things used in worshipping deities" see: Apte 1965, p. 578,
- ^ a b Bryant, Edwin (2007). The Krishna Sourcebook. Oxford University Press. p. 529. ISBN 978-0-19-514891-6.
- ^ a b Sarkar, Benoy Kumar (2004). The Folk Element in Hindu Culture. Kessinger Publishing. p. 236. ISBN 978-0-7661-8657-6.
- ^ Karigoudar, Ishwaran. A populistic community and modernization in India. Books.google.com. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ http://www.palanimurugantemple.tnhrce.in/facilities/panchamirtham.html
- ^ "Palani temple to double panchamirtham production". Economic Times. Palani, India. 6 October 2009.
- ^ Nair, K.K. Sages Through Ages, Proof of divinity given. Books.google.com. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Millett, Deacon (2013). Hoodoo Honey and Sugar Spells: Sweet Love Magic in the Conjure Tradition. Lucky Mojo Curio Co. ISBN 978-0-9719612-4-1.
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- Apte, Vaman Shivram (1965), The Practical Sanskrit Dictionary (Fourth revised and enlarged ed.), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, ISBN 81-208-0567-4
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