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{{Short description|Nectar of immortality in Hinduism and used as a metaphor in Buddhism}}
{{other uses}}
{{for-multi|the Japanese novel by Banana Yoshimoto|Amrita (Yoshimoto novel)|the Gujarati language novel by Raghuveer Chaudhari|Amrita (Gujarati novel)}}
{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]}}
[[File:Mohini with amrit.jpg|thumb|[[Mohini]], the female form of [[Vishnu]], holding the pot of amrita, which she distributes amongst all the [[deva (Hinduism)|devas]], leaving the [[asura]]s without it. [[Darasuram]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India|alt=A stone carving of a standing woman with a pot in her left hand and lotus in right]]

'''''Amrita''''' ({{langx|sa|अमृत}}, [[IAST]]: ''amṛta''), '''''Amrit''''' or '''''Amata''''' in [[Pali language|Pali]], (also called ''Sudha'', ''Amiy'', ''Ami'') is a [[Sanskrit]] word that means "immortality". It is a central concept within [[Indian religions]] and is often referred to in ancient [[India]]n texts as an [[Elixir of life|elixir]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=amrita {{!}} Hindu mythology {{!}} Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/amrita-Hindu-mythology|access-date=2021-11-13|website=www.britannica.com|language=en}}</ref> Its first occurrence is in the [[Rigveda]], where it is considered one of several synonyms for ''[[soma (drink)|soma]]'', the drink of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Soma: The Nectar of the Gods|url=https://www.historyofayurveda.org/library/soma|access-date=2021-11-13|website=History of Ayurveda|date=20 April 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> Amrita plays a significant role in the [[Samudra manthan|Samudra Manthana]], and is the cause of the conflict between devas and [[asuras]] competing for amrita to obtain immortality.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 27, 2016|first=Devdutt|last=Pattanaik|title=Good deva-bad asura divide misleading |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/good-deva-bad-asura-divide-misleading/articleshow/51162479.cms|access-date=2021-11-13|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

Amrita has varying significance in different [[Indian religions]]. The word ''Amrit'' is also a common first name for [[Sikhs]] and [[Hindu]]s, while its feminine form is ''Amritā''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC - Religions - Sikhism: Amrit ceremony|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/ritesrituals/amrit.shtml|access-date=2021-11-13|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en-GB}}</ref> Amrita is cognate to and shares many similarities with [[ambrosia]]; both originated from a common [[Proto-Indo-European mythology|Proto-Indo-European source]].<ref>[[Walter W. Skeat]], ''Etymological English Dictionary''</ref><ref name=Chambers>"Ambrosia" in ''[[Chambers's Encyclopædia]]''. London: [[George Newnes Ltd|George Newnes]], 1961, Vol. 1, p. 315.</ref>

== Etymology ==
Amrita is composed of the negative prefix, अ {{Transliteration|sa|IAST|a}} from Sanskrit meaning 'not', and {{Transliteration|sa|IAST|mṛtyu}} meaning 'death' in Sanskrit, thus meaning 'not death' or 'immortal/deathless'.

The concept of an immortality drink is attested in at least two ancient [[Indo-European languages]]: [[Ancient Greek]] and [[Sanskrit]]. The Greek ἀμβροσία (''ambrosia'', from ἀ- “not” + βροτός “mortal”) is semantically linked to the Sanskrit {{lang|sa|अमृत}} (''[[amṛta]]'') as both words denote a drink or food that gods use to achieve immortality. The two words appear to be derived from the same Indo-European form *''ṇ-mṛ-tós'', "un-dying"<ref name="eiec">{{Cite encyclopedia |first1=J. P. |last1=Mallory |editor1-first=J. P. |editor1-last=Mallory |editor2-first=Douglas Q. |editor2-last=Adams |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture]] |title=Sacred drink |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=1997 |page=538}} Mallory also connects to this root an Avestan word, and notes that the root is "dialectally restricted to the IE southeast".</ref> (''n-'': negative prefix from which the prefix ''a-'' in both Greek and Sanskrit are derived; ''mṛ'': [[Ablaut|zero grade]] of *''mer-'', "to die"; and ''-to-'': adjectival suffix). A semantically similar etymology exists for Greek [[Nectar#Etymology|nectar]], the beverage of the gods (Greek: νέκταρ ''néktar'') presumed to be a compound of the [[Proto-Indo-European language|PIE]] roots ''*nek-'', "death", and ''-*tar'', "overcoming".

== Hinduism ==
[[File:Lord Vishnu took the form of Beauty Mohini and distributed the Amrita (Ambrosia, Elixir) to Devas. When Rahu (snake dragon) tried to steal the Amrita, his head was cut off.jpg|thumb|[[Vishnu]] took the form of the beauty [[Mohini]] and distributed the amrita to [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]]. When [[Svarbhānu|Svarabhānu]] tried to steal the amrita, his head was cut off.]]Amrita is repeatedly referred to as the drink of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]], which grants them immortality. Despite this, the nectar does not actually offer true immortality. Instead, by partaking it, the devas were able to attain a higher level of knowledge and power, which they had lost due to the curse of the sage [[Durvasa]], as described in the [[samudra manthan|Samudra Manthan]]a legend. It tells how the devas, after the curse, begin to lose their immortality. Assisted by their rivals, the [[asura]]s, the devas begin to churn the ocean, releasing, among other extraordinary objects and beings, a pitcher of amrita, held by the deity [[Dhanvantari]].<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= 66|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref>

[[Brahma]] enlightens the devas regarding the existence of this substance:<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2020-11-14 |title=Brahma Instructs the Devas to Go to Vishnu [Chapter 43] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/harivamsha-purana-dutt/d/doc485716.html |access-date=2022-08-03 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=O Devas, in the northern division and on the northern bank of the ocean of milk there is a most excellent place called Amrita (nectar): so the wise say. Go there and being self-controlled practise hard austerities. There you will hear most sacred, purified words relating to Brahman grave like the muttering of clouds surcharged with water in the rainy season. That celestial speech is destructive of all sins and was spoken by the god of gods of pure soul. So long as your vow will not terminate you will hear that great universal speech. O gods, you have come to me and I am ready to grant you boons. Tell me what boon you do want.|title=[[Harivamsa Purana]]|source=Chapter 43}}
When the asuras claim the nectar for themselves, [[Vishnu]] assumes the form of the enchantress [[Mohini]], and her beauty persuades the asuras to crudely offer her the task of its distribution:<ref name="www.wisdomlib.org">{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2020-03-05 |title=Gods Drink the Nectar [Chapter 13] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc371752.html |access-date=2022-08-03 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=Seeing that beautiful form, they were fascinated and were overwhelmed with the passion of love. Giving up their mutual struggle, they approached and spoke:

“O blessed lady! Take this pitcher of Nectar and distribute it amongst us. We are the sons of Kaśyapa; O lady with beautiful buttocks, make us all drink it (Nectar).”

Requesting her thus, they handed it over to the lady who was reluctant. She spoke, “No faith should be entertained in me, as I am a self-willed (i.e. wanton) woman. You have done an improper act. I shall, however, distribute it as per my will.” Though she told them so, those stupid ones said, “Do as you please”.|title=[[Skanda Purana]]|source=Chapter 13}}When the [[Danava (Hinduism)|danava]] [[Rahu]] disguised himself as a deva and sat in the clan's row to partake in consuming the nectar, [[Surya]] and [[Chandra]] alerted Mohini of his presence. Mohini sliced his head off with her [[Sudarshana Chakra]], and continued to distribute the nectar to every single one of the devas, after which she assumed her true form of [[Narayana]] and defeated the asuras in a battle.<ref name="www.wisdomlib.org"/>

== Sikhism ==
[[File:Guru Gobind Singh preparing amrit.jpg|thumb|Old Sikh fresco art from the [[Akal Takht]], [[Amritsar]] of [[Guru Gobind Singh]] preparing ''Amrit'']]In [[Sikhism]], amrit ({{langx|pa|ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ}}) is the name of the holy water used in [[Amrit Sanchar]], a ceremony which resembles [[baptism]]. This ceremony is observed to initiate the Sikhs into the [[Khalsa]] and requires drinking amrit.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Taking Amrit: Initiation|url=https://pluralism.org/taking-amrit-initiation|access-date=2021-11-13|website=pluralism.org|language=en}}</ref> This is created by mixing a number of soluble ingredients, including sugar, and is then rolled with a [[Khanda (sword)|khanda]] with the accompaniment of scriptural recitation of five sacred verses.

Metaphorically, God's name is also referred to as a nectar:
<poem>ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਬਦੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਹਰਿ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
{{Transliteration|pa|ISO|Amrit sabad amrit hari bāṇī.}}
The [[Shabda]] is Amrit; the Lord's ''bani'' is Amrit.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰਿ ਸੇਵਿਐ ਰਿਦੈ ਸਮਾਣੀ ॥
{{Transliteration|pa|ISO|Satiguri sēviai ridai samāṇī.}}
Serving the True Guru, it permeates the heart.

ਨਾਨਕ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਦਾ ਸੁਖਦਾਤਾ ਪੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਭ ਭੁਖ ਲਹਿ ਜਾਵਣਿਆ ॥
{{Transliteration|pa|ISO|Nānak amrit nāmu sadā sukhdātā pī amritu sabha bhukh lahi jāvaṇiā.}}
O Nanak, the Ambrosial Naam is forever the Giver of peace; drinking in this Amrit, all hunger is satisfied.<ref>[[Guru Granth Sahib]], page 119</ref></poem>

== Buddhism ==
''Amṛta'' (Pali: ''amata''; Tibetan: ''’chi med/bdud rtsi''; Chinese: 甘露; [[pinyin]]: ''gānlù'', [[rōmaji]]: ''kanro'') symbolizes immortality, liberation, and spiritual purity. The term describes the "nectar" or "ambrosia" of the [[Trāyastriṃśa]] heaven, a divine substance consumed by gods ([[Deva (Buddhism)|devas]]) to confer immortality. This association extends to Buddhist teachings, which are often referred to as the "sweet rain of Dharma" (''dharmavarṣam amṛtam'').<ref name=":0">Buswell, Robert E; Lopez, Donald S. The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, p. 37. Princeton University Press, Nov 24, 2013.</ref>

In doctrinal contexts, amṛta often refers to the ultimate goal of spiritual practice: liberation (''vimokṣa''). [[Nirvana (Buddhism)|Nirvāṇa]] is described as "deathless," likened to an elixir that brings serenity and clarity to the enlightened person. Practitioners are said to metaphorically and physically "touch the deathless element" during profound spiritual experiences.<ref name=":0" />

Amṛta is also associated with healing substances, including the five divine nectars (''pañcāmṛta''): milk, [[ghee]], butter, honey, and sugar. In Tibetan Buddhism, these are incorporated into [[Tantric buddhism|tantric]] rituals, where they are transformed into offerings in a skull cup ([[Kapala|''kapāla'']]). Pills made from ''amṛta'' (''bdud rtsi ril bu'') are sometimes distributed by religious figures for spiritual and physical benefits.<ref name=":0" />

=== Theravada Buddhism ===
According to [[Thanissaro Bhikkhu]], "the deathless" refers to the deathless dimension of the mind which is dwelled in permanently after [[nibbana]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=All About Change |url=https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/change.html |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=www.accesstoinsight.org}}</ref>

In the Amata Sutta, [[the Buddha]] advises monks to stay with the four [[Satipatthana]]: "Monks, remain with your minds well-established in these four establishings of mindfulness. Don't let the deathless be lost to you."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amata Sutta: Deathless |url=https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn47/sn47.041.than.html |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=www.accesstoinsight.org}}</ref>

In the [[Milinda Panha|questions for Nagasena]], King Milinda asks for evidence that the Buddha once lived, wherein Nagasena describes evidence of the Dhamma in a simile:

{{blockquote|"Revered Nagasena, what is the nectar shop of the Buddha, the Blessed One?"

"Nectar, sire, has been pointed out by the Blessed One. With this nectar the Blessed One sprinkles the world with the [[Deva (Buddhism)|deva]]s; when the devas and the humans have been sprinkled with this nectar, they are set free from birth, aging, disease, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair. What is this nectar? It is [[Kayagatasati Sutta|mindfulness occupied with the body]]. And this too, sire, was said by the Blessed One: 'Monks, they partake of nectar (the deathless) who partake of mindfulness that is occupied with the body.' This, sire, is called the Blessed One's nectar shop."

— Miln 335<ref>"The Blessed One's City of Dhamma: From the Milindapañha", based on the translation by I.B. Horner. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 30 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/horner/bl130.html</ref>}}

=== Chinese Buddhism ===
Chinese Buddhism describes Amrita ({{lang-zh|t=甘露|p=gānlù}}) as blessed water, food, or other consumable objects often produced through merits of chanting mantras.

=== Vajrayana Buddhism ===
{{See also|Pre-sectarian Buddhism#Ideas and practices}}
Amrita ({{bo|t=བདུད་རྩི་|w=bdud rtsi|s=dütsi}}) also plays a significant role in [[Vajrayana|Vajrayana Buddhism]] as a sacramental drink consumed at the beginning of all important rituals such as the [[abhisheka]], [[ganachakra]], and [[Homa (ritual)|homa]]. In Tibetan tradition, ''dütsi'' is made during {{Transliteration|xct|[[drubchen]]s}} – lengthy ceremonies involving many high [[lama]]s. It usually takes the form of small, dark-brown grains taken with water, or dissolved in very weak solutions of alcohol and is said to improve physical and spiritual well-being.<ref name="dutsi">[https://archive.org/details/dutsi Dutsi], A Brief Description of the Benefits of the Sacred Ambrosial Medicine, The Unsurpassable, Supreme Samaya Substance that Liberates Through Taste.</ref>

The foundational text of [[traditional Tibetan medicine]], the Four Tantras, is also known by the name ''The Heart of Amrita'' ({{bo|w=snying po bsdus pa}}).

''The Immaculate Crystal Garland'' ({{bo|w=dri med zhal phreng}}) describes the origin of amrita in a version of the [[samudra manthan]]a legend retold in Buddhist terms. In this Vajrayana version, the monster [[Rahu]] steals the amrita and is blasted by [[Vajrapani]]'s thunderbolt. As Rahu has already drunk the amrita he cannot die, but his blood, dripping onto the surface of this earth, causes all kinds of medicinal plants to grow. At the behest of all the Buddhas, Vajrapani reassembles Rahu who eventually becomes a protector of Buddhism according to the [[Nyingma]] school of [[Tibetan Buddhism]].

''Inner Offering'' ({{bo|w=Nang chod}}, {{lang-zh|t=内供}}) is the most symbolic amrita offering assembly, and the ''Inner Offering Nectar Pill'' ({{bo|w=Nang chod bdud rtsi rilbu}}, {{lang-zh|t=内供甘露丸}}) is a precious and secret medicine of Tibetan Buddhism, which are only used internally for higher-ranking monks in Nyingma school. Its ingredients including Five Amrita and Five Meat, which represents five buddhas, and five elements respectively. According to ''[[Tantras (Buddhism)|Tantras]] of [[Chakravarti (Sanskrit term)|Chakravarti]]'', and ''Tantras of [[Vajravārāhī]]'', a ceremony needs to be held for melting and blessing the Inner-Offering Nectar. Five Amrita needs the following substances are arranged in the five [[Cardinal direction|cardinal directions]]: yellow excrement in the east; green bone marrow in the north; white semen in the west; red blood in the south; and blue urine placed in the center. The Four Nectars should come from [[Lama|wise monks]] and the [[Egg cell|ova]] should be collected from the first menstruation of a blessed woman. The Five Meats are arranged similarly: the meat of a black bull in the southeast; the meat of a blue dog in the southwest; the meat of a white elephant in the northwest; the meat of a green horse in the northeast, and the meat of a red human corpse in the center. After the ceremony, these ingredients will transform into a "one taste" (''ekarasa'') elixir, which bestows bliss, vitality, immortality and wisdom. Actual modern practitioners will take a "synthesized essence" of the Nectar Pill and combine it with [[Energy drink|energy drinks]] and alcohol, but mostly the "Nectar Pill" are derived from plants.<ref>The handbook of Tibetan Buddhist symbols, Robert Beer. {{ISBN|1590301005}}, Boston, MA. :Shambhala, 2003.</ref>

== See also ==
{{col div|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Ameretat]]
* [[Ambrosia]]
* [[Elixir of Life]]
* [[Panchamrita]]
* [[Peaches of Immortality]]
* [[Potion]]
* [[Soma (drink)|Soma]]
* [[Traditional Tibetan medicine]]
*{{lookfrom|Amrit}}
*{{lookfrom|Amrut}}
{{colend}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
*Dallapiccola, Anna L. ''Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend''. {{ISBN|0-500-51088-1}}

==External links==
{{Wiktionary}}
{{wiktionary|Amrita}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080531042837/http://www.mapi.com/en/newsletters/ayurvedic_rasayana.html Ayurvedic Rasayana – Amrit]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120222231026/http://www.baisakhi1999.org/amrit2.htm Immortal Boons of Amrit and Five Kakars]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090401081833/http://angkorblog.com/_wsn/page8.html Depictions in stone at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom (Cambodia) of how the gods dredged amrit from the bottom of the ocean]
*https://web.archive.org/web/20110110035820/http://earthrites.org/magazine_article_crowley.htm
*https://web.archive.org/web/20110707061343/http://www.20kweb.com/etymology_dictionary_A/origin_of_the_word_ambrosia.htm

[[Category:Buddhist mythology]]
[[Category:Buddhism and medicine]]
[[Category:Rigveda]]
[[Category:Sikh practices]]
[[Category:Mythological medicines and drugs]]
[[Category:Mythological food and drink]]
[[Category:Indian feminine given names]]
[[Category:Feminine given names]]
[[Category:Immortality]]
[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]