The meaning of Charanamrit

Importance of Charanamrit

Charanamrit means the blissful water collected from the feet of Hindu deities after bathing them.

Charanmrit has a special meaning for devout Hindus. They keep Charanamrit during their prayers and at the end they take it as the blessings of the deities. This not only cleanses the body but also purifies the soul.

Charanmrit has a special meaning for devout Hindus. They conclude their prayers by taking Charanamrit as the blessings of the deities.

How to take Charanamrit?

Devotees should cover their heads and take Charanamrit with Cupid’s right hand and keeping their left under it. After that she moistened her hands over her head.

literary sources

There is one of the well-known Hindu epics Ramayana. There it is mentioned that in Treta Yuga there was the king of Ayodhya, Dashratha. He had three wives Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. Kaushalya gave birth to Rama, Sumitra to Lakshmana, and Shatrughan and Kaikeyi to Bharata. Dashratha grew old and wanted to retire.

Rama was the eldest son, and thus Dashratha declared him King. Kaikeyi couldn’t bear that, he wanted his son Bharat to be the king. Kaikeyionce saved Dashratha’s life. Dashratha asked him for two blessings. Kakayi replied that he would take it at the right time. Kakayi thought the time was right and asked Dashratha for two boons that by one boon he would send Rama into exile and by another boon he would declare Bharata as king.

Rama was an obedient boy and immediately ready for exile. His wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana accompanied him. During the exile, they had to cross the Ganges River. There they put the sailor Kewat. He washed the feet of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita and collected the water that dripped from their feet into the pot. Later, he and his family drank it. Kewat told Rama that by drinking divine water, he and his family members would attain salvation. Rama blessed him so that all his wishes come true. After that incident, Kewat and his family lived their entire lives in peace and joy.

In the end, his pious soul dwelt in heaven. They achieved salvation, that is, they got rid of the vicious circle of birth and death. Since then, Hindu devotees take Chranamrit to seek blessings from deities to guide them towards their goal and celebrate each day as a festival.

Charanamrit Recipes

You can prepare Charnamrit or Panchamrit in different ways:

(1) Single Charanamrit Ingredients:

• Chilled unboiled milk – 250 ml

• curd – 75ml

• Sugar- 1 teaspoon

• Basil leaves-4-7

• Pure ghee – 2 teaspoons

• Ganga water – 1 teaspoon

Method to make Charnamrit:

Combine milk, curd, sugar, pure Ghee and Ganga water. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add basil leaves now. Serve it to all the devotees after the prayers.

(2) Special Charanamrit on the occasion of Janamastami

On the occasion of Janamastami, Charanamrit prepares to give the child deity Krishna (Bal Gopal) a bath. It dripped down to the lotus feet of Bal Gopal (child Krishna) and collected in the pot to be offered to devotees as prasad.

Ingredients:

• Milk – 1 cup

• curd – 1 tsp

• Basil leaves – 7-9

• Ganga water – 1 teaspoon

• Sugar – ½ cup

• Cuddapah (Chironjee) almonds – 1 tsp

• Inflated Core (Makhana) – 12-14

• Honey- ½ teaspoon

Method:

Roast Makhana in a non-stick pan or in the microwave for 5 minutes. Cut them into small pieces. Mix the curd, milk, gangue water, sugar, honey and puffed grain in a bowl. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Now, add chopped Makhana pieces, Basil leaves and Chironjee. Again stir it, but don’t beat it. Mystical Charanamrit is now ready.

Scientific Importance of Charanamrit:

Charanamrit is not only spiritually important but also scientifically important as charanamrit is usually kept in a brass and bronze pot and therefore has medicinal properties. Increases immunity power to fight against various infections. Apart from this, it also improves the memory power.