Prasad 1113731 220868620 2008-06-22T00:19:12Z Randhirreddy 1084434 '''Prasāda''' ([[Sanskrit]]: प्रसाद), marathi :प्रसाद '''prasād'''/'''prashad''' ([[Hindi]]), '''Prasāda''' in (Kannada), '''prasādam''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]), or '''prasadam''' ([[Telugu language|Telugu]]) is both a mental condition of generosity, as well as a material substance that is first offered to a deity (in [[Hinduism]]) and then consumed (Hinduism and [[Sikhism]]). <ref>[http://www.miraura.org/lit/skgl/skgl-16.html Glossary of Sanskrit Terms in Integral Yoga Literature]</ref> [[Image:GntBanLeaf.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Prasad|Prasadam]] offered on Banana leaves after [[Puja]] ceremony at a home in [[Guntur]], [[India]]]] Literally, a gracious gift. Anything, usually edible, given by a saint, Perfect Master or the Avatar to their followers. Anything, usually edible, that is first offered to a deity, saint, Perfect Master or the Avatar and then distributed in His name. <ref>Natu, Bal; "Glimpses of the God-Man, Meher Baba", ''Sheriar Press'', 1987</ref> The prasad has the deity's blessing residing within it. In contemporary [[Hindu]] religious practice in India, the desire to get '''prasada''' and have [[darshan]] are the two major motivations of pilgrimage and temple visits.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} As a mental condition, ''prasāda'' has a rich history of meanings in the Sanskrit tradition from [[Vedas|Vedic]] literature onwards. In this textual tradition, prasada is a mental state experienced by gods, sages, and other powerful beings which is marked by spontaneous generosity and the bestowing of boons. Prasāda is understood in this sense of a mental state from the earliest literature ([[Rig Veda]]) onwards -- not as an aspect of ritual practice. In later texts such as the [[Shiva Purāna]], references to prasada as a material substance begins to appear alongside this older meaning.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} In its material sense, prasada is created by a process of giving and receiving between a human devotee and the divine god. For example, a devotee makes an offering of a material substance such as flowers, fruits, or sweets -- which is called ''naivedya''. The deity then 'enjoys' or tastes a bit of the offering, which is then temporarily known as ''bhogya''. This now-divinely invested substance is called ''prasāda'', and is received by the devotee to be ingested, worn, etc. It may be the same material that was originally offered, or material offered by others and then re-distributed to other devotees. == References == <references/> ==Other uses== * [[Prasads IMAX]], a multiplex theatre in [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]] * [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]], a controversial [[India]]n Politician from [[Bihar]]. * [[Prasad Thombre]], http://www.dhingana.com/profile/prasad-pt/7a2a24d6d498f8c8a37a772c64cc8e9f] ==External links== * [http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Prasad/id/150170 Hindu Sanskrit Dictionary] * [http://www.dharmacentral.com/articles/prasada.htm Prasada-yoga] * [http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/connections/Prasadam.php Prasadam Ontology] A Vaishnava view [[Category:Hindu traditions]] [[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]] [[Category:Religious behaviour and experience]] [[de:Prasad]] [[fr:Prasād]] [[ka:პრასადამი]] [[lt:Prasadas]] [[pl:Prasadam]] [[ru:Прасада]]