[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v1.c3.s13.13 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s13.13 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s13.13 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s13.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.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. - [Previous: v1.c3.s13.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s13.12) - [Next: v1.c3.s13.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s13.14) - [Up: v1.c3.s13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s13) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s13.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s13.13) · Pramāṇa