abhisheka | अभिषेक

Abhisheka (Devanagari: अभिषेक; ISO 15919: abhiṣeka) is a sacred Vedic ritual where a Deity is honored by being bathed with water or panchamrita (a mixture of five foods).

💧 The Ritual

First, devotees lovingly prepare the water. They adjust its temperature to be appropriate for the weather and add various fragrances. They then use this to bathe their beloved Deity.

💡 Crucial Spiritual Note

This act must be performed with genuine love and devotion. Without this spiritual focus, the abhisheka is merely a physical drill that lacks spiritual benefit.

The Blessed Offering (Prasad)

After the ritual, the devotees partake this blessed substance (the water or panchamrita) as prasad (a blessed offering).

After the ritual, the devotees drink this blessed substance (the water or panchamrita) as prasad (a sacred offering to be consumed). Chaitanya Mahaprabhu stated that the loving consumption of this prasad is one of the great powers to overcome Maya (God's material power).

Also written as abhishek, abhisek

LEARN MORE

• On Whose Strength Did Uddhav Challenge Maya?

REFERENCE

Sadhan Sadhya - The Way to God's Love, March 2023