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Significance of Amrita

Amrita, a significant term in various religious and spiritual traditions, refers to a divine nectar that symbolizes immortality and spiritual nourishment. In Buddhism, it represents teachings that lead to enlightenment, while in Hinduism it connotes ambrosia sought by gods and demons, crucial for achieving longevity and spiritual grace. It encompasses the essence of divine offerings and is central to myths, such as the churning of the ocean. Amrita signifies the pursuit of eternal life and ultimate realization across cultural contexts.1
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The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Amrita'

Buddhism Books

Amrita in Buddhism signifies the divine nectar of immortality, symbolizing spiritual nourishment, enlightenment, and the ultimate attainment of a suffering-free state, often associated with key figures in Buddhist teachings and practices.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra

(1) Refers to the ambrosia or nectar of immortality, often associated with the highest forms of bliss and enlightenment.[1] (2) Described as the deathless or ambrosia, representing the ultimate spiritual attainment or the state beyond suffering.[2] (3) Referred to as the 'ambrosia', this symbolizes the essence of immortality and spiritual nourishment found in Dharma.[3] (4) A term referring to the nectar of immortality in Buddhist texts, implying a state free from suffering.[4] (5) The nectar of immortality within the Buddha's teachings; it symbolizes ultimate wisdom that frees beings from suffering.[5]

From: The gods of northern Buddhism

(1) Amrita is the nectar of immortality in Buddhist and Hindu texts, often associated with the bestowment of longevity and spiritual power.[6] (2) The nectar of immortality sought by the Buddhas, with Vajrapani playing a central role in its protection and retrieval.[7] (3) The divine nectar believed to be sprinkled by Kwan-yin to bestow blessings upon her devotees.[8]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: The Great Chariot

(1) A divine nectar that symbolizes spiritual nourishment and the essence of immortality, often projected in visualization practices.[9]

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) A divine nectar of immortality mentioned in the text, with a contrast made between its existence in Tushita and worldly intoxicants.[10]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha鈥檚 words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Hindu concept of 'Amrita'

Hinduism Books

Amrita in Hinduism signifies divine nectar associated with immortality and supreme offerings. It represents the ultimate essence of life, sought after by gods and demons, symbolizing eternal existence, bliss, and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Mahabharata (English)

(1) The nectar of immortality sought after by the gods and Danavas in the cosmic struggle.[11] (2) A Sanskrit term meaning 'nectar' or 'immortal essence,' representing divine immortality.[12] (3) A term denoting immortality, linked to Narayana, encapsulating the essence of eternal life.[13] (4) The nectar of immortality, a precious substance obtained during the churning of the ocean.[14] (5) The nectar of immortality that the gods consumed after vanquishing their foes.[15]

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)

(1) The nectar of immortality, referenced here as the transformation of the narrator's flesh into sustenance in Brahmaloka.[16] (2) The nectar of immortality, symbolizing the divine grace and words of Vishnu that bring reassurance.[17]

From: Gautami Mahatmya

(1) Nectar that can free Havyaghna from his curse; includes the water of Gautami river, gold, ghee from cow's milk, and Soma juice.[18] (2) A name indicating the place associated with divine nectar and immortal qualities.[19]

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) The nectar of immortality that is sought after in various spiritual practices but does not confer true liberation.[20] (2) The nectar of immortality obtained during the churning of the ocean, symbolizing the ultimate goal of achieving eternal life.[21]

From: Vishnu Purana

(1) The nectar of immortality sought after by the gods and demons during the churning of the ocean, symbolizing ultimate divinity and eternal life.[22]

From: Markandeya Purana

(1) Refers to a substance in the fruits of the region that has a taste akin to immortality, indicating the richness of the land.[23]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) Amrita is the remnant of sacrifices, highlighting the significance of consuming what is left from sacrificial offerings.[24] (2) The remnant food of sacrifices, symbolizing nourishment that carries spiritual significance.[25]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) divine nectar; signifies the immortality and supreme quality of offerings made to the divine.[26]

From: Haribhakti-sudhodaya

(1) A term for nectar, symbolizing immortality and divine grace; used in the context of how poison does not affect Prahlada.[27]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (鈥榯en avatars of Vishnu鈥�).

Significance in Hinduism (general):

From: Satapatha-brahmana

(1) Referring to ambrosia or the idea of immortality, symbolizing the living essence of the sacrificial offerings.[28] (2) Represented as nectar or immortality, it is obtained through the threefold body of the altar built with the three types of speech.[29]

Significance in Kavya (poetry):
Kavya Books

From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)

(1) The elixir of immortality obtained from the Churning of the Ocean, which Rahu attempted to consume to become immortal.[30]

Kavya refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or 鈥榚pic poetry鈥� and natya, or 鈥榙ramatic poetry鈥�.

Significance in Shaktism (Shakta philosophy):
Shaktism Books

From: Shakti and Shakta

(1) The essence or elixir of life produced as a compassionate gift from the transformed Rutra.[31]

Shakta or Shaktism (shaktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)

(1) An immortal essence or nectar, signifying the ultimate state of being or realization that provides satisfaction for the gods.[32]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

The concept of Amrita in local and regional sources

History Books

Amrita, derived from Sanskrit, signifies immortality and eternal existence, reflecting concepts of life and continuity rather than death, as highlighted by regional sources in the provided text.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Sanskrit Words In Southeast Asian Languages

(1) This word, which has Sanskrit roots, represents something that is immortal and not dead, indicating a state of eternal existence, according to the provided text.[33]

From: History of Science in South Asia

(1) Amrita is a term that is one of the ten plants for 鈥漚ge-sustaining鈥�.[34]

Plural form: Amritas.