Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s13.13

v1.c3.s13.13

Ghrta, the modern Ghee or ‘clarified butter,’ is repeatedly mentioned in the Rigveda¹ and later² both as in ordinary use and as a customary form of sacrifice. According to a citation in Sāyaṇa’s commentary on the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa,³ the distinction between Ghrta and Sarpis consisted in the latter being butter fully melted, while the former was butter melted and hardened (ghanī-bhūta), but this distinction cannot be pressed. Because the butter was thrown into the fire, Agni is styled ‘butter-faced’ (ghṛta-pratīka),⁴ ‘butter-backed’ (ghṛta-pṛṣṭha),⁵ and ‘propitiated with butter’ (ghṛta-prasatta),⁶ and ‘fond of butter’ (ghṛta-prī⁷). Water was used to purify the butter: the waters were therefore called ‘butter-cleansing’ (ghṛta-pū).⁸ In the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa⁹ it is said that Ājya, Ghrta, Āyuta, and Navanīta pertain to gods, men, Pitṛs, and embryos respectively.