Abhisheka

Abhisheka

"ablution", "purification"

Abhisheka is a Sanskrit term, which in Hinduism and other Indian religions call the ritual ablution and ablation of the murti. Abhisheka is an obligatory part of the complex multi-day ritual of setting up new murtis in Hindu temples.

For ablution, as a rule, five elements are used that called panchamrita (honey, milk, yogurt, sugar and ghee), flower petals, tulasi leaves, as well as ingredients such as sandal paste, sesame oil and rose water. The liquid obtained as a result of abhisheka is sacred and is called charanamrita. Charanamrita is revered as one of the forms of prasad and is distributed among followers drink it and use for sprinkling of their heads.

For ablution, liquids considered clean are used, such as yoghurt, milk, water and panchamrita.

The abhishek also refers to the affusion of the initiated disciple in the initiation rite (performed by Guru), the donor in the rite of blessing (performed by the priest), and the king or priest in the rite of elevating them into the position.

Naths have a common abhisheka with water for Shivalingam, but there are yoga practices where the essence of the abhisheka is transmitted to the inner level, when it is necessary to activate the Kundalini fire in the muladhara, "melting" the lunar amrita, which, descending, "intoxicates" the Kundalini, forcing it to awake and move up.