11/10/2023
As a child I looked forward to Prasad which mostly consisted of panjiri or halva and charnamrut at the end of every Pooja or prayers held in the temple or at home .
Panchamrut especially with its lingering earthy taste of combination of honey , tanginess of curd , nutty taste of ghee and cold sweetness of milk was so refreshing and uplifting . It stayed with me for a long time after .
Panchamrut also known as charnamrut as it’s an offering to god’s lotus feet is an essential part of any Hindu religious ceremony.
Name is derived from combination of two words “panch and amrut “
Panch means five and amrut is nectar so it’s a combination of five nectar.
This recipe of panchamrut is not just ritualistic offering but is also a treasure trove of health and wellness as described by Ayurveda . These five ingredients when combined in right proportion improve each others Gunas/ qualities .
As per Ayurveda these five components have immense health benefits when combined in right proportion
Panchamrut nourishes the sapt dhatu the seven bodily tissues
1.shukra dhatu( reproductive tissue)
2. Majja dhatu ( bone marrow and nervous tissue)
3. Asthi dhatu ( bone, teeth )
4. Meda dhatu( fatty tissue )
5.Mamsa dhatu( muscle tissue)
6, Rakhta dhatu ( blood tissue )
7. Rasa dhatu ( plasma for strength and vitality)
It balances pitta dosha .
All 5 elements also have symbolic meaning
Milk represents purity and piousness Honey represents sweet speech and unity as it’s produced by bees combined effort. Sugar for bliss and sweetness yoghurt for prosperity and bliss ghee is for strength and victory.
It is also called drink of gods .
Somethings to remember while making this drink :
According to Ayurveda ghee and honey should never be mixed in equal quantity.
Traditionally panchamrut is mixed in silver bowl for its antiviral, anti inflammatory and wound healing properties.
Basil leaves and nuts are added for added benefits.
Shelf life of this drink is up to 10 hours and is only made fresh and consumed fresh . It’s never to be stored to consume later 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Charnamrut /panchamrut /five nectar 🙏🏼
Ingredients :
1/2 cup milk
2Tbs fresh curd
1/4 tsp ghee
1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tablespoons honey
Tulsi / holy basil leaves
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a deep bowl till ghee has amalgamate to some extent and sugar has dissolved . Home made yogurt / curd will remain a little lumpy and ghee won’t mix entirely. It will take a few minutes to get the desired mix .
Garnish with multiple small leaves of tulsi so that every one gets an least one leaf .
Traditionally people drink from a clean palm of one’s hand and it’s taken only in a small quantity after prayers . But one can always drink it from a small glass but only a tablespoon or two 🙏🏼always
