By Swami Harshananda
Madhumatī literally means ‘that which contains the word madhu’.
Offering madhuparka a liquid preparation containing a mixture of curds, ghee, water, honey and sugar to the ṛtviks or priests in a Vedic sacrifice is an important way of honoring them. These ṛtviks are expected to sanctify it by looking at it and repeating the three ṛks or verses starting with ‘madhu vātā ṛtāyate’ and ending with ‘mādhvīr gāvo bhavantu nah’.[1] Since all the three verses begin with the word ‘madhu’ they are together called ‘madhumatī’ verses.
This repetition brings auspiciousness on the yajamāna or the sacrificer. This procedure is mentioned in the Āśvalāyana Gṛhyasutras[2] and also in the Pāraskara Gṛhyasutras.[3]
References[edit]
- ↑ Ṛgveda 1.90.6-8
- ↑ Āśvalāyana Gṛhyasutras 1.24.5-26
- ↑ Pāraskara Gṛhyasutras 1.3
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore