Panchamrit, also known as Panchamrut or Charna Amrit, is a traditional Ayurvedic concoction usually prepared during Hindu religious rituals or poojas. It is made utilizing five ingredients called Paanch Amrut and is viewed as a sacred and holy drink. It is believed that this drink emerged from the Samundra Manthan[1]. When five ingredients used to make Panchamrit are blended in the right amount, it improves the quality and gives better results. It is also said to have medical values that nurture and heal our body and strengthen our immune system. It likewise promotes hair and skin complexion.
As per Hindu mythology, the gods acquired immortality after drinking Panchamrit. Panchamrit, also known as Panchamrut or Charna Amrit, is a traditional Ayurvedic concoction usually prepared during Hindu religious rituals or poojas. However, traditionally it is made from five ingredients; Panchamrit today might have saffron, mint, bananas, coconut, dates, and other ingredients, often varying widely by religion and region.
Each of the five ingredients has symbolic significance:
It is believed that this drink emerged from the Samundra Manthan. When five ingredients used to make Panchamrit are blended in the right amount, it improves the quality and gives better results. It is believed to have various medical advantages, for example, nourishing the skin, promoting healthy pregnancy, and improving brain function. It is additionally said to have medical values which nurture and heal our body along with strengthening our immune system. It likewise promotes hair and skin complexion.
According to Ayurveda’s traditional Indian medical system, Panchamrit parpati is a powder treatment made out of minerals and herbs that look similar to the nectar used during poojas. The powder is used to treat anorexia, haemorrhoids, and other medical conditions.
It is a combination of five food ingredients utilized in Hindu as well as Jain pooja’s, Rudrabhishek, and worship. It is often utilized as an offering during pooja, later distributed as Prasad. There are regional variations in the ingredients used to make Panchamrit. It is a sweet blend utilized in Hindu worship and rituals and prayers known as Pooja. The name Panchamrit comes from Sanskrit, Pancha, signifying “five”, and Amrit, meaning “nectar of the gods”, and “immortal”. Traditional recipes for this Vedic drink comprise five ingredients: raw milk, honey, sugar, curd, ghee (homemade), and curd (yogurt). Commonly, it is offered to the divinities and gods and is consumed towards the end of the puja or worship.
It may likewise be known as Charna Amrit (nectar from the feet of the gods or divine beings), although the latter term refers to the water used to bathe gods collected in a basin at their feet. All the ingredients of Panchamrit specify symbolic meanings. Ghee represents victory and strength, curd/yoghurt represents prosperity, milk represents piousness and purity, and sugar indicates bliss and sweetness. Lastly, honey produced by bees with utmost cooperation and dedication symbolizes unity and sweet speech. It may likewise be known as Charna Amrit (nectar from the feet of the divine beings), even though the latter term likewise alludes to the water used to wash gods that is gathered in bowls at their feet. Agreeing to Hindu folklore, the divine beings acquired eternality by drinking it. Although traditionally produced using five fixings, Panchamrit today might have Tulsi leaf, saffron, bananas, dates, coconuts, and different fixings, generally differing by the district.
The word Hindu is derived from the Indus River, which means that Hinduism is not only a religion but a way of living. Thus various sacraments and rituals have crept into this religion on account of utility. All the Hindu priests worship culmination with the distribution of “Panchamrit”, which is prepared and offered before the gods during the puja ceremony.
The most popular mention of Panchamrit can be traced back to the Mahabharata, which is the largest epic ever written by mankind. In Mahabharata, it is expressed that it was one of the valuable ingredients that emerged during Samundra Manthan or Ksheera Sagar Manthan. The gods and the demons, every divine being who was part of this event, had a very long battle in establishing their control over this drink, in the light of the fact that they realized that whoever consumed Panchamrit would become immortal until the end of time. According to Hindu mythology, each of the five major ingredients used to prepare the sweet concoction has a symbolic meaning. For example – Milk represents piousness and purity, and Honey depicts unity and sweet speech. Sugar represents bliss and sweetness. All the religious Hindu pujas and functions are believed to be incomplete without the Panchamrit or Panchamrit prasad. It is also used as an offering (bhog prasad) during poojas. It is also used as a libation (bathing the idol) during Abhishek.
As mentioned above, the Panchamrit word is a mixture of two Sanskrit words, Panch and Amrit. Panch means five, and Amrit means nectar. This sweet concoction is prepared by mixing five important ingredients like cow milk, yogurt/curd, honey, sugar/jaggery, honey, and ghee. These five ingredients are often referred to as Charanamrit or the nectar of the god’s feet. During the Char Dham Yatra and at the time of visiting the famous temples, people usually offer it as a symbol of respect to the deities. The shelf life of Panchamrit relies on climatic conditions. In the winters, you can save it outside for at least 12 hours, but during the summer season, it can go stale in a couple of hours due to microbial issues in a tropical nation like India. Since the shelf life of this Vedic drink is restricted, the devotees find it challenging to consume it after a day. This scientific and unique product provides our body with age-old medical benefits and has an extended shelf life of 6 months. Moreover, the ingredients added to this divine drink come with additional benefits. In this way, everybody can relish and enjoy the drink in their own free time. It is critical to realize that this drink is free from all artificial preservatives and coloring.
It is usually served to the devotees at the end of the pooja by the temple priest in the form of prasad along with panjiri. As we already know that it is prepared by utilizing five ingredients – milk, honey, curd, ghee, and sugar. These five ingredients are mixed in an equal amount. However, there are certain territorial variations in these ingredients. Like in the south of India, people even add ripe banana paste to the drink. It is an Ayurvedic preparation that has been manipulated in several places to increase the keeping value and cut the cost. Some individuals prefer using sugar rather than jaggery, which isn’t acknowledged by all, as sugar is not a characteristic component like jaggery, and sugar is refined with bone charcoal which makes it improper to use for poojas. In Palani Murugan Temple, which is located in Tamil Nadu, it is utilized in abhisheka and is later distributed as Prasad. This Panchamrit comprises milk, curd, sugar, ghee, banana, honey, cardamom, seedless dates, and sugar treats. The banana used is the Virupatchi variety, which is only grown in Palani hills and has extremely low water content.
The ingredients used in preparing Panchamrit are-
Cow Milk
According to Hindu mythology, millions of Gods and Goddesses dwell inside cows. Cow milk is believed to be very sacred by the Hindus. During the legendary Samundra Manthan battle, 14 gems were obtained from the ocean, and one among those gems was Kamdhenu. In Hindu poojas and religious functions like Pran Pratishtha, pouring cow milk on idols is a dare. Similarly, the devotees of Lord Shiva usually appease the lord with milk, belladonna fruit, and belpatra as divine gratitude. The Hindus believe cows to be an abode of 33 Crore gods and goddesses. Lord Krishna devotees also worship cows as Krishna had great company with cow headers and cows. Cow milk is considered highly beneficial for health as it is effortless to digest and contains essential nutrients. Even the paediatrician recommends the consumption of cow milk for children. The cow milk used to prepare Panchamrit must be pure and unadulterated.
Honey
There is a great importance of honey in Hindu poojas and rituals. Just like that, Honey is also considered to be an important constituent of Panchamrit. The Sanskrit name of Honey is Madhu which is derived from the honey crumbs. From the time the Aryans used honey for consumption and medical advantages, honey had been in Vedic yajnas as an offering of Peavey with various sacred items to appease the deities. Both Lord Krishna and Lord Indra were called Madhav; this name is derived from the word “Madhu”. Honey is a medical component in Ayurveda as well as in Medical Science. During the Indian Civilization, it was a tradition to perform Madhu Abhishek as a sacred duty to our idols. According to Ayurveda, raw and pure honey contains all the essential enzymes. It helps in improving the digestive system, nourishes our skin, and smoothens our skin. Honey can be easily digested, and it gets assimilated into our bloodstream instantly.
Sugar
Sugar in Panchamrit symbolizes bliss and a sweet voice. According to ancient Ayurveda scriptures, one must add mishri or candy sugar in Panchamrit in an equal amount to other ingredients. Sugar is also utilized in various Ayurvedic churnas (medicine powder) or formulas. Candy sugar provides a cooling effect to our bodies. During Vedic years, jaggery was used instead of sugar in preparing it. Just like cow milk and honey, jaggery also has many medical advantages and usage.
Ghee
Ghee is one of the most treasured food items of Ayurveda. It also contains healing properties for the mind and body. Ghee is proven to be a good source of minerals and vitamins, which are required by the body daily. It is a good source of vitamin A and E, and it also contains antioxidants property that offers various medical benefits. In earlier times, ghee was a major component in everyday diet and was also used for burning lamps and diyas. In Panchamrit, ghee symbolizes victory and knowledge, and it also stands for healthy relations.
Dahi
Dahi, also known as curd or yoghurt, is a fermented food that is recognized as Sattvic in Ayurveda. It helps in enhancing the digestive system and Probiotics and also balances the Vata Dosha.
In many regions, both banana and Tulsi leaves are used in preparing Panchamrit.
According to Hindu mythology, Rishi Durvasa, despite his anger, cursed his wife for turning into a banana tree because of interrupting his sleep. On his wife’s merciful pleadings, the Saint blessed her with a boon that bananas will be treated as a sacred plant. Now, the beliefs and fruits of the banana tree are offered during all the Hindu poojas and rituals. The Hindu temples and Bhagwat Kathas are also adorned with banana leaves. The banana tree is believed to be God Brihaspati and is also worshipped with flowers, Rakha Sutra, Haldi kumkum, and incense sticks.
In Hinduism, the Tulsi plant is considered one of the most auspicious plants and is worshipped in every house. Tulsi is believed to be the anode of various duties. The Hindus believe Tulsi to be an earthly embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi. Many ancient Hindu scriptures throw light on the importance of adding a Tulsi leaf to any food item before offering it to the gods. Every Hindu has a Tulsi plant in their homes which is worshipped and taken care of. To venerate Goddess Lakshmi, we must add Tulsi leaf in Panchamrit and other Prasads. Tulsi plant has various medical values, and it works magic on a sore throat and acts as an antioxidant. Modern studies have shown that it is also very beneficial in bringing down radioactivity.
Panchamrit has a lot of medical advantages, which is why it is called food for god (Amrit or Amrut). It is also given to a pregnant woman during the 9-month course for the good health of both mother and the foetus. When prepared with the right proportion, Panchamrit is considered to be a healthy recipe for improving brain functions. It is believed to nourish the skin and keep it healthy and glowing. It is also beneficial for hair health. According to Ayurveda, the five ingredients used to prepare Panchamrit have immense health benefits when combined in equal proportions.
Panchamrit has proven to nourish the Sapta Dhatu (seven bodily tissues), Rasa Dhatu ( plasma for vitality, immunity, and strength), Rakta Dhatu (blood), Mamsa Dhatu (muscle tissues), Medas Dhatu (fatty tissues), Asthi Dhatu ( bone and teeth), and Majja Dhatu (nervous tissues and bone marrow). It also balances the Pitta Dosha, and creative abilities enhance brain function and improve immunity and memory. If consumed during the pregnancy, Panchamrit boosts the health of both mother and the foetus. Here, we have listed seven health benefits of Panchamrit.
● Excellent for Bones: We believe that strength comes from bones – and the milk and ghee in Panchamrit assist us with building strong and healthy bones from within by boosting physical health. It is highly beneficial for women’s bone health after they enter menopause. The ghee contains the fat-solvent vitamin K2, which helps in the assimilation of calcium and braces bones.
● Strengthening our immunity system: Panchamrit contains honey, ghee, and yogurt; all of these three ingredients are known to boost our immunity system. Curd/yoghurt is a probiotic that helps in keeping our gut system healthy, and research has also shown that individuals who consume curd daily have a lower chance of contracting cold and influenza in comparison to individuals who do not. Honey is a rich source of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins and is also well-known for boosting immunity. Ghee is loaded with fat-solvent nutrients like Vitamin A, D, E, and K, which increase and boosts our immune function.
● Brain Function: Ghee present in Panchamrit helps in greasing our grey cells. It is said to vitalize our mind, improve our memory and also to grasp power, and enhances artistic and creative abilities.
● Pregnancy and Prenatal Benefits: all the five ingredients utilized in preparing Panchamrit work together to support the well-being and health of a pregnant woman, along with enhancing the growth and development of the foetus.
● Energy: consumption of any sort of sugar will, in general, give you a speedy jolt of energy. However, when that sugar is in its raw form and is combined with honey and curd, it leaves you with sustained energy. Raw sugar contains more minerals, is less processed, and does not rush through a framework with a similar speed as refined white sugar.
● Skin and Hair Nourishment: Panchamrit helps in nourishing our skin and hair. All five ingredients used in preparing the Panchamrit help nourish our skin and make our hair stronger and softer. These ingredients regenerate our skin cells by reducing the effects of environmental damage and stress. In this manner, it leaves behind glowing skin and silky hair.
● Strengthening reproductive tissues: Each of the five Panchamrit ingredients helps in nourishing the Shukra Dhatu. Shukra Dhatu is responsible for strengthening the reproductive tissue in both males and females.
1) Boil the cow milk and bring it to room temperature.
2) Beat the yoghurt until smooth.
Conclusion
Panchamrit is a sweet creation utilized in Hindu worship and the prayer ceremonies known as pujas. The name comes from the Sanskrit, Pancha, signifying “five,” and Amrit, signifying “interminable” or “nectar of the divine beings.” Traditional recipes for Panchamrit comprise five fixings: raw cow milk, curd (yogurt), honey, sugar, and ghee. Ordinarily, Panchamrit is offered to the divinity or gods and is consumed toward the end of worship or after puja. Panchamrit may likewise be known as Charna Amrit (nectar from the feet of the divine beings), even though the latter term likewise alludes to the water used to wash gods that is gathered in bowls at their feet. Agreeing to Hindu folklore, the divine beings acquired eternality by drinking Panchamrit. Although traditionally produced using five fixings, Panchamrit today might have Tulsi leaf, saffron, bananas, dates, coconuts, and different fixings, frequently differing by the district.
Every one of the customary fixings has representative importance:
Panchamrit is remembered to have medical advantages, for example, further developing mind capability, feeding the skin, and advancing a solid pregnancy. In the traditional Indian clinical arrangement of Ayurveda, Panchamrit parpati is a powdered treatment made out of spices and minerals that looks similar to the nectar utilized in worship. The powder is utilized to treat haemorrhoids, anorexia, and other conditions. Add yoghurt, milk, honey, powdered sugar, and ghee to a huge bowl to set up this yummy sweet. Whisk well every one of the fixings. Embellish with washed Tulsi or, on the other hand, basil leaves, and serves right away.
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