Amrita

Amrita
Amrita (Sanskrit: ; IAST: amta) is a Sanskrit word that literally means "immortality", and is often referred to in texts as nectar. The word's earliest occurrence is in the Rigveda, where it is one of several synonyms of "soma" as the drink which confers immortality upon the gods. It is related etymologically to the Greek "ambrosia",[1] and it carries the same meaning.[2] It has various significances in different dharmic traditions. "Amrit" or "Amrut" is also a common Hindu first name for men; the feminine form is "Amrit" or "Amruta".

Hinduism
Amrita is repeatedly referred to as the drink of the gods, which grants them immortality. Amrita features in the "ocean-churning" Samudra manthan legend, which describes how the devas, because of a curse from the sage Durvasa, begin to lose their immortality. Assisted by their mortal enemies, the asuras, they churn the ocean and create (among other wonderful things) amrita, the nectar of immortality. In yogic philosophy (see yoga, Hindu philosophy) amrita is a fluid that can flow from the pituitary gland down the throat in deep states of meditation. It is considered quite a boon: some yogic texts say that one drop is enough to conquer death and achieve immortality. Amrita is sometimes said to miraculously form on, or flow from, statues of Hindu gods. The substance so formed is consumed by worshippers and is alleged to be sweet-tasting and not at all similar to honey or sugar water. Amrita (Devanagari - ), are fourteen treasure jewels (Ratnas) that emerged from Samudra manthan ocean. The fourth Ratna which emerged is known as Kaustubha, the divine jewel of Vishnu.

Sikhism

Mohini, the female form of Vishnu holding the pot of Amrita which she distributes amongst all gods leaving aside demons. Location: Darasuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Amrit (Punjabi: ) is the name of the holy water used in the baptism ceremony (known as Amrit Sanskar or Amrit Chakhna by the Sikhs). This ceremony is observed to initiate the Sikhs into the Khalsa brotherhood. The ceremony requires the drinking of the Amrit. This water is created by mixing a number of soluble ingredients, including sugar, and is then rolled with a khanda (a double edged straight sword) with the accompaniment of scriptural recitation of five sacred Banis (chants). This Amrit is also referred to God's name as a nectar which is obtained through Guru's word, as in the following example of page 119 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Chanting God's name during Amrit Sanskar or Amrit Chakna uplifts a persons' physical and spiritual consciousness to a state of immortality. Amri saba amri har ba. The Shabd is Amrit; the Lord's Bani is Amrit. Sagur seviai riai sam. Serving the True Guru, it permeates the heart. Nnak amri nm sa suka p amri sab buk lh jvai. ||8||15||16|| O Nanak, the

Amrita Ambrosial Naam is forever the Giver of peace; drinking in this Amrit, all hunger is satisfied. ||8||15||16||

Buddhism
Amrit (Tibetan: bDud.rTsi, pronounced "dutsi"), also plays a significant role in Vajrayana Buddhism as a sacramental drink which is consumed at the beginning of all important rituals (e.g. abhisheka, ganachakra, Homa). In the Tibetan tradition, 'dutsi' is made during drubchens - lengthy ceremonies involving many high lamas. It usually takes the form of small, dark-brown grains that are taken with water, or dissolved in very weak solutions of alcohol, and is said to improve physical and spiritual well-being.[3] A Vajrayana text called Dri.Med. Zhal.Ph'reng ("the immaculate crystal garland") describes the origin of amrita in a version of the Hindu "ocean-churning" legend re-told in Buddhist terms. In this Vajrayana version, the monster Rahu steals the amrita and is blasted by Vajrapani's thunderbolt. As Rahu has already drunk the amrita he cannot die but his blood, dripping onto the surface of this earth, causes all kinds of medicinal plants to grow. At the behest of all the Buddhas, Vajrapani reassembles Rahu who eventually becomes a protector of Buddhism (according to the Tibetan "Nyingma" tradition). Chinese Buddhism describes Amrita (Chinese: gn l) as blessed water, food, or other consumable objects often produced through merits of chanting mantras.

References and sources

References
[1] Walter W. Skeat, Etymological English Dictionary [2] "Ambrosia" in Chambers's Encyclopdia. London: George Newnes, 1961, Vol. 1, p. 315. [3] Dutsi (http:/ / Timon. HACKS. Arizona. EDU/ ~scar/ DrikungKagyu/ dutsi. pdf), A Brief Description of the Benefits of the Sacred Ambrosial Medicine, The Unsurpassable, Supreme Samaya Substance that Liberates Through Taste.

Sources Dallapiccola, Anna L. Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend. ISBN 0-500-51088-1

External links
Ayurvedic Rasayana - Amrit (http://www.mapi.com/en/newsletters/ayurvedic_rasayana.html) Immortal Boons of Amrit and Five Kakars (http://www.baisakhi1999.org/amrit2.htm) Depictions in stone at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom (Cambodia) of how the gods dredged amrit from the bottom of the ocean (http://web.archive.org/web/20090401081833/http://angkorblog.com/_wsn/page8. html) http://earthrites.org/magazine_article_crowley.htm http://www.20kweb.com/etymology_dictionary_A/origin_of_the_word_ambrosia.htm

Article Sources and Contributors

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Amrita Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=597739188 Contributors: Alren, AmritTuladhar, Anaxial, Apbhamra, Ashkotak, B9 hummingbird hovering, BernardM, Bhadani, BigJolly9, Bkj, Bua333, Carlossuarez46, Clarince63, Cometstyles, DaGizza, Dangerous-Boy, Dekimasu, Devan kevin, Devil Master, Dforest, Dharmadhyaksha, DoktorMax, Dreadstar, Eismakedon, Enlad, Error, Eukesh, F, Fifthman, Fisherjs, Florian Blaschke, Frecklegirl, Gadfium, Gak, Grmagne, Heqs, Hornplease, IPSOS, Iamwisesun, Iztwoz, J.delanoy, Japanese Searobin, Jive472, John, Joshbuddy, Kalamkaar, Karan1974, Kay Dekker, Krishna.91, Kutera Genesis, Leolaursen, Maqs, Materialscientist, Matthias.seattle, Mercurywoodrose, Meursault2004, Mjk2357, Mkweise, Nachiketa, Nakon, Neelix, Ni3kulkarni007, Philafrenzy, Pseudomonas, RJFJR, Reconsider the static, Sam Spade, Sethie, Sfacets, SkyWalker, Snowgrouse, Spy89, Stjohn1970, T24G, TUF-KAT, The Man in Question, TheRingess, Tinxtinx, Tunnels of Set, Tydaj, Ukexpat, Waerloeg, WikHead, Wiki-uk, Wikid77, WoodElf, Yhjow, Zerokitsune, 101 anonymous edits

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