Prasad

Prasad (Sanskrit प्रसाद Prasada, literally, mercy, grace ') or ( in South India ) Prasadam is called in Hinduism especially the food offerings in the temple or in the home. In a broader sense Prasad also referred to other afflicted with divine blessing power items.

Description

During the puja, the Hindu ritual worship of the deity, or during a short prayer, the priest or the believer food as offerings on the altar. These must meet certain purity standards: They are usually strictly vegetarian, no eggs may contain neither onions nor garlic, and must be freshly prepared under clean conditions particularly in relation to kitchen, dishes and to cook or housewife.

Temple visitors bring food, especially sweets and fruits which they present to the priest for sacrifice, then this is the now blessed Prasad back. In many temples are distributed Prasad to everyone or only to monks or to the poor, depending on the particular customs. The believers eat of it, trusting in God's special grace and blessing through this ' holy food '. Those who visit the temple often brings remained at home with some of it.

Also in the home for many Hindus Prasad is an important part of religious practice: The daily prayer is one food on the altar, either fruit, sweets or boiled food and sacrifices them with prayer and song. Every family member has a portion thereof. In some families, it is common to sacrifice a small portion of each meal first and this is then mixed with the rest. In this way, you take each meal as Prasad to him.

A special Prasad is Charanamrita, as well Mahasnana - jala or Panchamrita. The term Amrita, Nectar, makes the appreciation clear: Traditional ' bathes ' ​​man in the temple, the statue of the Divine daily, usually only symbolically with a few drops. This ' bath water ', Mahasnana - jala, is estimated to be particularly beneficial. The same applies to Charanamrita, the water was washed with the feet ( Charan ) of the divine ritual. Hindus drink it in small quantities for spiritual purification. In any Puja you sacrifice Panchamrita, a mixture of five ( panch ) Ingredients: milk, yogurt, butter, honey, sugar. Also drink this nectar of the faithful few drops from her hand.

Under particularly religious Hindus, as well as among the followers of the Hare Krishna movement, it is important to feed exclusively by Prasad as desirable. In the embrace of Mata Amritanandamayi Hugging each receives from her a piece of candy as prasad. Their supporters sell saris, the Mata Amritanandamayi has borne himself as " Amma 's prasad ", as well as bedding, Tulsi chains and stones.