Talk:Camasa
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Camasa literally means ‘that in which something is partaken’.
Significance of Camasa[edit]
Out of the several implements used in a Vedic sacrifice, ‘camasa’ is an important one.
- It is a kind of cup usually square in shape with or without the handle.
- It is made of the nyagrodha wood (Ficus indica).
- The handle could be round, square or even triangular.
Usage of Camasa[edit]
It is generally used for:
- Containing the Soma juice for libation
- For drinking of soma juice by priests
- For bringing the ‘praṇītā’ waters
- For making dough
- For the caru in a sacrifice
Out of the sixteen priests involved in a sacrifice, only ten are entitled to have camasa. These priests are called as ‘camasins’. The Bṛhadāranyaka Upaniṣad[1] compares the human head to a camasa. It is kept inverted.
References[edit]
- ↑ Bṛhadāranyaka Upaniṣad 2.2.3
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore