World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

PANCHAMRITA: THE FIVE NECTARS OF GOD

Prof. Dr. Dhrubo Jyoti Sen*

ABSTRACT

Panchamrita is a sacred mixture of five ingredients (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 god. Panchamrita is also called charanmarit in some parts of India. Often tulsi leaves and dry fruits are also added in panchamrita. Second most commonly used recipe is the mixture of banana in the traditional recipe. Variation in panchamrit recipe can be achieved with ingredients like saffron, coconut, mint, tulsi (basil) etc. in the basic panchamrit recipe as per wish. Ayurveda recommends the traditional panchamrit recipe for optimum health benefits. For every Hindu pooja vidhi, Panchamrit is required for Abhishek and Naivedyam or Bhog. Panchamrit is called as Panchamrutham in south India, Panchamrut in Maharashtra and Panchamrit or Charnamrit in North India. The recipe of Panchamrit varies from place to place but the basic recipe of Panchamrit, Panchamrutham or Panchamruth is the same. Panch means 5 and Amrit, Amrutham or Amrut means a holy drink. In Puran, Shastra and Ayurveda; it is described that Panchamrit is made up 5 nectars or ingredients in particular proportion. If it is combined in that proportion a very healthy nourishing Panchamrit is formed.

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