By Swami Harshananda
Ucchisṭa literally means ‘the leftover’.
In the most general sense, it means anything left over after a rite or action. For instance, oblation materials like ghee leftover after a homa or a yajña[1] is ucchiṣṭa. However it is more commonly used with regard to the food leftover in the plate after a person has eaten. Though some dharmaśāstras like the Baudhāyana-dharmasutras[2][3] allow a disciple to eat the ucchiṣṭa of his guru. This practice was discouraged later.
References[edit]
- ↑ Yajña means sacrifice.
- ↑ Baudhāyana-dharmasutras 1.2.34
- ↑ Baudhāyana-dharmasutras 1.2.37
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore