Panchamrit.......nectar of the gods.

                                                   

        

Panchamrita is a sacred mixture of five ingredients i.e. Milk, Curd, Honey, Sugar and Ghee in equal amounts. The word “Panchamrita” is a combination of two words, "Pancha" means five and "Amrita" means ambrosia, immortal, and nectar of gods or beverage of gods.

Panchamrita is also called 'Charnamrit' in some parts of India.Often Basil (Tulsi) leaves and dry fruits are also added in Panchamrita. However, there may be certain regional variations in ingredients. Most south Indians add ripe banana instead of sugar.

Origin of Panchamrit

The most popular mention of the dish can be traced back to Mahabharata (largest epic ever written in the history of Mankind!). In Mahabharata it is stated that the Panchamrit was perhaps one of the valuable ingredients that emerged during Samudra manthan or Ksheera sagar manthan(churning of the ocean of milk).The demons and gods who were part of the process had a very long fight in establishing their control over this amrit, because they knew that whoever had it will become immortal forever.

According to mythology, the five elements of this sweet concoction have symbolic meaning.

• Milk represents purity and piousness.
• Curd represents prosperity and progeny.
• Honey depicts sweet speech and unity. (Because it is prepared jointly by bees)
• Sugar represents sweetness and bliss.
• Ghee is meant for knowledge and victory.

Religious importance…

All religious Hindu Pooja and functions are incomplete without the Panchamrit (Panchamrit Prasad).

It is used as an offering during poojas. (bhog,prasad)

It is used as a libation during Abhisheka(bathing the idols).

Uses.. 

Uses of freshly prepared Panchamrut if consumed daily…

• Boosts physical strength
• Improves potency (increases shukra in the body)
• Improves immunity
• Vitalizes the brain
• Enhances intelligence, memory, grasping power, creative abilities.
• Improves complexion as it’s considered as skin cleanser.
• It should be consumed every day, preferably in the morning, on an empty stomach.

Panchamrit in pregnancy.

Panchamrit acts as an energy booster for both mom and baby and is a good brain tonic,2-4 tsps of panchamrit should be taken  early morning during pregnancy…

Method of Preparation

Panchamrit is exotic and a tasty sweet.

As said before there are many Panchamrit recipe variations but here are two of the common recipes which are commonly adopted for dish preparation. 

      Traditional  Panchamrita recipe 

• This is a popular recipe where the dish is completed by combining ingredients in equal amounts…

• Milk - 1 tbsp
• Curd -1 tbsp
• Honey -1 tbsp
• Sugar - 1 tbsp
• Ghee - 1 tbsp

• There is one more reference which states that all the 5 ingredients should be taken in decreasing ratio in the following order i.e  

• Milk - 5 tbsp
• Curd -4 tbsp
• Sugar-3 tbsp
• Ghee -2 tbsp
• Honey-1 tbsp

Mix all the above mentioned ingredients and stir well. Your sweet concoction of panchamrita is ready to be sipped.If u want the panchamrita in large quantities you may increase the measure of each ingredient.

Second most commonly used recipe is the mixture of banana in the traditional recipe.

Contemporary Panchamrita Beverage

Variation in panchamrit recipe can be achieved with ingredients like saffron,coconut,mint,tulasi(basil)etc.in the basic panchamrit recipe as per wish.

Ayurveda recommends the traditional panchamrit recipe for optimum health benefits.