Amrita
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'''Amrita''' or '''Amrit''' ({{lang-sa|अमृत}}; {{lang-pa|ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ}}; {{lang-kn|ಅಮೃತ}}; {{lang-te|అమృతము}}) is a [[Sanskrit]] word that literally means "without death", and is often referred to in texts as [[nectar]]. Corresponding to [[ambrosia]], it has differing significance in the religions of the [[Indian_religions|Indian religions]].
== Hinduism ==
'''Amrit''' is repeatedly referred to as the drink of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|gods]], which grants them [[immortality]].
''Amrit'' features in the ''[[Samudra manthan]]'', where the gods, because of a curse from the sage Durvasa, begin to lose their immortality. With the help of the ''[[asuras]]'' (demons), they churned the sea in order to find the nectar of immortality, ''amrit''. After drinking it, the gods regained their immortality and defeated the demons.
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.
"Amrit" is also a common Hindu first name for men; the feminine is "Amritā".
== Sikhism ==
Amrit is the name of the holy water used in the [[baptism]] ceremony (known as ''[[Amrit Sanskar]]'' or ''Amrit Chhakhna'' by the [[Sikh]]s). 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 type of knife) with the accompaniment of scriptural recitation of five sacred ''Banis'' (chants).
== Buddhism ==
Amrita, under its Tibetan name of '''dutsi''', also features in [[Tibetan Buddhism|Tibetan Buddhist]] mythology, where it is linked to the killing of the monster [[Rahu]] by [[Vajrapani]], whose blood dripped onto the surface of this earth, causing all kinds of medicinal plants to grow.
Dutsi also refers to a [[herbal medicine]] made during ceremonies involving many high [[lama|lamas]] in [[Tibetan Buddhism]], known as [[drubchen|drubchens]]. 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.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
== See also ==
{{wiktionarypar|Amrita}}
* [[Ambrosia]]
* [[Amritanandamayi]]
* [[Panchamruta]]
* [[Soma]]
*{{lookfrom|Amrit}}, for other pages using the name "Amrit" or "Amrita"
==References==
*Dallapiccola, Anna L. ''Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend''. ISBN 0-500-51088-1
==External links==
*[http://www.mapi.com/en/newsletters/ayurvedic_rasayana.html Ayurvedic Rasayana - Amrit]
*[http://www.baisakhi1999.org/amrit2.htm Immortal Boons of Amrit and Five Kakars]
*[http://angkorblog.com/_wsn/page8.html Depictions in stone at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom (Cambodia) of how the gods dredged amrita from the bottom of the ocean]
[[Category:Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Mythological substances]]
[[Category:Sikh practices]]
[[Category:Hindu traditions]]
[[Category:Indian feminine given names]]
[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]
[[Category:Buddhist ritual implements]]
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