Panchamrutha & Its Benefits

Panchamrutha (sanskrit) is a sacred mixture of five healthy ingredients. Use of panchamrutha is dated back to several centuries. It has been  in use to offer as a mixture of wellness to God.  Preparation and use of panchamrutha  brings positive benefits to humans  in terms of harmony, peace and strength to mind and body. It is a healthy tonic with various health benefits.

The ingredients used in panchamrutha are: A mixture of Honey, clarified butter (ghee from cow milk), sugar, yogurt (curd) and milk (from cow) is known as Panchamrutha.  In Hindu religion Panchamrutha is used for sacred bath called “abhishekam” of Gods and later given to devotees as prasadam.

These five ingredients represents following characters that one need to have to be happy. All these together gives a positive energy to a human body and mind. This is the belief.

• Honey – togetherness – live in harmony with family, friends and society
• Ghee – knowledge and wellness
• Sugar – Sweetness – being nice to others and bliss
• Curd – love, prosperity and progeny
• Milk – The purity of mind and piousness – Our lives, characters and actions should be pure.

The ingredients that are used in the panchamrutha preparation are not in equal proportion.  The proportion is the sequence of 1,2,4,8 and 16.

1. One teaspoon of Honey

2. Two teaspoon of Ghee

3. Four tea spoon of sugar

4. Eight tea spoon of Yogurt

5. Sixteen teas spoon of milk.

These ingredients have to be added in the above order in a clean container. Here the numbers 1,2,4,8, 16 are in the power of two. What it indicates is:

Honey is a heavy viscosity liquid and milk is less viscous.  Honey is added first, then the clarified butter or ghee, which is little less dense than honey followed by sugar, which will dissolve in yogurt.  This is where the solid meets liquid. The last addition is milk, which is a liquid in which all the other four ingredients dissolve. Addition of milk gives panchamrutha liquid form and is used in the auspicious offerings and given to devotees. This mixture has a unique flavor because of complementary nature of five incredible ingredients.

As per Ayurveda when ghee and honey is combined in equal quantity it becomes toxic .The proportion of honey and ghee should be 1:2 this proportion is healthy and works really well.

While modifying the traditional panchamrutha devotees add ripened banana, dry fruits to panchamrutha.  However, this is not the real panchamrutha. Because, panchamrutha means – pancha =”five” amrutha =”Immortal” or ” nector of God”.  By adding fruits it becomes “phala-panchamrutha” where phala means fruits.

Panchamrutha is also called ‘Charnamrutha’ in some parts of India. Often Basil (Tulasi) leaves and dry fruits are also added in Panchamrutha.

What benefits we get by consuming panchamrutha everyday?

According to Ayurveda, the most benefit one can get only by consuming traditional panchamrutha which is designed with proper proportions of five healthy ingredients.

Boosts physical strength

• Improves potency
• Improves immunity
• Vitalizes the brain-It enhances the brain power (IQ), memory, grasping power, creative abilities.
• Improves complexion as it is considered as skin cleanser.
• Consuming this every morning brings strong immunity and increases general strength during pregnancy. It gives good health to both mother and fetus.
• It is a good energy booster after the delivery of the baby.

*People who have diabetic conditions should consult their physician before consuming panchamruth.

While we know that traditionally we use panchamrutha for religious purposes, it is good to understand the deep meanings behind all these symbols and practice. The ingredients and making of panchamrutha is for well being of an individual, family, community, country and the whole world. When we remember what these ingredients represents and when the mind recognizes the significance, positive thoughts will follow us with positive energy that gives strength to the body.

Source: Healthylife.werindia.com