PANCAMERTA - पञ्चामृत

Panchamrita  Panchamrita (Devanagari:पञ्चामृत, from Sanskrit: pañcāmṛta) is a mixture of five foods used in Hindu worship and puja,[1] usually honey, sugar, milk, yoghurt ghee.[2][3] Etymology Pañcāmṛta is a Sanskrit compound of two words: Pañca, 'five'.[4] Amṛta, lit. 'immortal', "nectar of immortality, ambrosia, beverage of the gods".[5] Preparation Equal quantities of Milk (preferably cow milk), Yoghurt, Honey, Sugar and Ghee are mixed together.[2][3] However, there may be certain regional variations in ingredients. Most south Indians add ripe banana[6] instead of sugar. Keralites may also include tender coconut. Some recipes also include grapes[7]. Usage It is used as a prasad during poojas. As a libation during Abhisheka. In Hevajra tantra Beer (2004: pp. 327–332) contrasts the Panchamrita of the Dakshinachara and the Vāmācāra and identifies that the "Left-Hand Path" (Sanskrit: Vāmamārga) of the Hevajra Tantra (and of the Anuttarayoga Tantras in general) worship with a different enumeration of the Panchamrita: human faeces, marrow, semen, blood and urine. This is only for those of utmost stead-fastness of mind and should be taught by a competent guru, as the content can quickly cause a base mind to become more ensnared in the world of māyā. [8] Notes ^ 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. pp. 529. ISBN 9780195148916. ^ a b Sarkar, Benoy Kumar (2004). The Folk Element in Hindu Culture. Kessinger Publishing. pp. 236. ISBN 9780766186576. ^ Apte notes that as the first member of a compound, the word पञ्चन् ("five") drops its final न्; nominative form is पञ्च. See: Apte, p. 578. ^ Apte 1965, p. 138 ^ Karigoudar, Ishwaran. A populistic community and modernization in India. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23. ^ Nair, K.K.. Sages Through Ages, Proof of divinity given. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23. ^ Beer, Robert (2004). The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs. Second Edition. Shambhala; pp.327-332. Source: [1] (accessed: Wednesday June 24, 2009) References Apte, Vaman Shivram (1965), The Practical Sanskrit Dictionary (Fourth revised and enlarged ed.), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, ISBN 81-208-0567-4 http://www.parisada.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1298&Itemid=120

Panchamrita Puja (Pooja) and Contemporary Recipe Panchamrita is beverage offered to deities during worship (Pooja), and then distributed to worshippers as a Prasad (blessing) Panchamrita is a Sanskrit name derived from two words, Pancha and Amrita. Pancha means five. Amrita is a beverage or nectar, consuming of which leads to immortality. The five nectars are: Milk, Yogurt, Ghee, Honey and Sugar Traditional Panchamrita is also called 'Pooja, or Puja Panchamrita' Traditional Puja Panchamrita Ingredients 1.      Kacha Doodh कच्चे दूध (pre boiled milk): 1 Cup It is raw fresh milk from cow 2.      Dahi दही (yoghurt): 1 Cup Yogurt made from whole cow's milk 3.      Ghee घी (clarified butter): 1 Cup Clarified butter derived from cow's milk 4.      Honey मधु: 1 Cup 5.      Shakkar शक़्क़र (raw sugar): 1 Cup Method Mix and beat all the ingredients together and store in refrigerator. You may use blender for mixing. Contemporary Panchamrita Beverage The amounts of ingredients are changed for modern taste. Saffron and Tulsi are added for color and flavor. The beverage is served iced or cold Ingredients 1. Milk: 2 Cups 2. Yogurt: 1 Tablespoon 3. Ghee: 1 teaspoon 4. Honey: 2 Tablespoon 5. Sugar: 1 teaspoon 6. Saffron: 6 strands crushed 7. Fresh Hoy Basil (Tulsi) leafs: 2 May be substituted with fresh Peppermint leaves   Method Warm 2 Tablespoons of milk and warm it on stove top or microwave oven. Stir in crushed saffron. Set it aside for 20 minutes. This help to draw color and flavor from the saffron. Combine all ingredients except Tulsi in a blender. Blend for 10 seconds. Store in refrigeratot Garnish with Tulsi leaves before serving http://www.indiacurry.com/beverage/panchamrita.htm