Amṛt
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Amṛt literally means ‘the nectar’.
There have been several renaissance movements in which have reformed and revitalized it. One of the latest of such movements is the one started by Guru Nānak (A. D. 1469-1538). It is now known as Sikhism and considered as an independent religion.
Guru Gobind Singh (A. D. 1666 - 1708) formed the Khālsā (‘personification of the guru’) an army of baptized Sikhs. The process of baptism consists of stirring some water in an iron bowl with a double-edged sword, mixing it with sugar and drinking it after sprinkling it on the face. Sacred verses from the Guru Granth Sāhib are uttered during the stirring. The water itself was called ‘amṛt’ or nectar. The procedure is followed even now.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore