Significance of Ghi
In Dutch: Ghi; In German: Ghi; In Finnish: Ghi; In Spanish: Ghi; In Swedish: Ghi; In Malay: Ghi; In French: Ghi
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Ghi'
In Buddhism, Ghi represents clarified butter, often from cow's milk, seen as a luxurious food. Its roles range from medicinal use and cooking in alms-meals to ingredients in poultices, highlighting its cultural significance.
From: Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks� rules)
(1) A type of clarified butter that the monks sought from Mahanama.[1] (2) Clarified butter used in Indian cooking, noted for being mixed with rice when preparing alms-meal.[2] (3) A clarified butter made from cow's milk or other permissible animals, categorized as a sumptuous food.[3]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka
(1) Ghee is a type of clarified butter that Jivaka suggests for King Pajjota's treatment but which the king finds abhorrent.[4]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Clarified butter used as an ingredient in the poultice and cakes.[5]
Hindu concept of 'Ghi'
In Hinduism, Ghee symbolizes purity and nourishment, serving as a vital ingredient in rituals and sacrifices. It represents abundance, health benefits, and spiritual potency, enhancing offerings to deities during ceremonial practices.
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) Clarified butter used in Hindu sacrificial rites, symbolizing nourishment and offering to the deities.[6] (2) A clarified butter seen as a vital offering in sacrifices, symbolizing fiery mettle and a resource of the gods.[7] (3) Ghee plays a vital role in the offerings made during the sacrifice and is associated with keeping off evil spirits.[8] (4) Ghee refers to clarified butter that is offered during sacrifices, representing purity and richness, and is said to endow the heavens and earth with strength.[9] (5) Clarified butter offered in four ladlings to ensure blessings for the way.[10]
From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)
(1) Clarified butter used as a therapeutic agent in various treatments including those for fever.[11] (2) Highly revered unctuous substance used in oleation, noted for its multiple health benefits.[12] (3) Ghee promotes memory, intelligence, vital fire, semen, vital essence, and is curative for Vata, Pitta, intoxication, epilepsy, and a range of other ailments.[13] (4) Clarified butter widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for its supposed health benefits, including treatment of digestive issues.[14] (5) Clarified butter used in Ayurvedic medicine, which can be prepared with Soap-pod and Clenolepis.[15]
From: Bhesajjakkhandhaka (Chapter on Medicine)
(1) Clarified butter used in traditional medicine that is allowed by the Buddha for anointing and decocting medicines related to treating wind disease.[16] (2) A clarified butter that was suggested for consumption by a monk suffering from feverish illness.[17] (3) A clarified butter widely used in Ayurveda, recognized for its therapeutic properties and benefits, particularly in autumn.[18]
From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
(1) Clarified butter that is a primary offering in Vedic rituals, often associated with the concept of nourishment in sacrifices.[19] (2) Clarified butter used in Hindu rituals, especially during sacrifices for offerings to gods.[20] (3) Clarified butter often used in rituals, symbolizing purity and a means of pleasing the deities during sacrifices.[21]
From: Gobhila-grihya-sutra
(1) Clarified butter used in the ceremonial preparation of food.[22]
From: Hiranyakesi-grihya-sutra
(1) Clarified butter often used in religious and ceremonial practices.[23]
From: Paraskara-grihya-sutra
(1) Clarified butter that is considered auspicious and can be offered during the ritual.[24]
From: Asvalayana-grihya-sutra
(1) Clarified butter mentioned as part of the blessings and offerings in the ritual, symbolizing nourishment and abundance.[25]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa)
(1) Clarified butter, used as one of the components in the purification of Shilajatu.[26] (2) Clarified butter that is advised to be consumed alongside the medicinal preparation for its effects.[27] (3) Clarified butter used in conjunction with castor oil for rubbing makshika.[28] (4) One of the pancha-mitra used that aids in the mixture of metals during essence extraction.[29] (5) A clarified butter used in the first process alongside oxidised iron, gurh, and guggulu mixed with Manas-shila.[30]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A type of clarified butter used in cooking.[31] (2) Clarified butter made from the milk of cows, used in cooking and religious rituals.[32] (3) Clarified butter often used in Hindu rituals, known for its purity and spiritual significance.[33] (4) A type of clarified butter made from the milk of cows or buffalo, commonly used in Indian cooking.[34]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) Clarified butter used in Indian cooking, referenced as 'ghritaih' in the text.[35] (2) A type of clarified butter, referred to as 'ajyanam', used in offerings.[36]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) Clarified butter used in offerings, symbolizing abundance and pureness in sacrificial rituals.[37]
The concept of Ghi in local and regional sources
Ghi is a specific type of clarified butter associated with indulgence, as indicated by the wife's insistence that her mother consume it, symbolizing a notion of extravagance in their culinary traditions.
From: Folklore of the Santal Parganas
(1) A specific type of clarified butter that the wife insists her mother take, representing extravagance.[38]