If you have ever attended a Hindu puja, you might have noticed that the priest or the devotee sprinkles some coloured rice grains on the deity, the altar, or the people present. These rice grains are called Akshat, which means “whole” or “unbroken” in Sanskrit. Akshat is one of the most important offerings in Hindu rituals, as it symbolizes prosperity, fertility, and wholeness. Let’s talk more about Akshat:-
Origin of Akshat
The word Akshat is derived from the root word “Aksh”, which means “to pervade” or “to be present everywhere”. According to the Vedas, Akshat is the name of the supreme Brahman, the ultimate reality that pervades everything in the universe. Akshat is also the name of one of the eight Vasus, the elemental gods who are the sons of Aditi, the mother of all gods. Akshat is the god of grains and food, and he is associated with the sun, the source of life and energy.
The use of Akshat as an offering in rituals dates back to the Vedic times, when rice was considered a sacred and precious commodity. Rice was the staple food of the people, and it was also used as a medium of exchange and a symbol of wealth. Rice was offered to the gods as a way of expressing gratitude, devotion, and surrender. Rice was also used to invoke the blessings of the gods for prosperity, abundance, and happiness.
Meaning of Akshat
Akshat is made of uncooked and unbroken rice grains, usually mixed with turmeric, kumkum, or other coloured powders. The rice grains represent the seeds of life, and the colours represent the different aspects of nature and the divine. Turmeric is yellow, the colour of the sun, and it signifies purity, health, and wisdom. Kumkum is red, the colour of blood, and it signifies strength, courage, and passion. Other colours may include green, blue, white, or black, depending on the deity or the occasion.
Akshat is a symbol of wholeness, completeness, and perfection. It signifies that nothing is lacking or missing in one’s life, and that one is content and satisfied with what one has. Akshat also signifies that one is whole and intact, without any defects or flaws. Akshat is a reminder of the inherent divinity and potential within each individual, and the need to preserve and protect it from any harm or corruption.
Akshat is used in various ways in Hindu rituals, such as:
– Akshat is placed in the palms of the devotee before taking a sankalpa, a vow or a resolution, before performing a puja or a ritual. This signifies the commitment and determination of the devotee to fulfill the sankalpa, and the invocation of the divine grace and support for the same.
– Akshat is offered to the deity or the yantra during the puja, along with other items such as flowers, fruits, incense, etc. This signifies the offering of one’s self, one’s resources, and one’s gratitude to the deity, and the acceptance of the deity’s blessings and guidance in return.
– Akshat is sprinkled on the altar, the sacred fire, or the water during the ritual, as a way of consecrating and energizing them with the divine presence and power. This also signifies the spreading of the divine vibrations and auspiciousness to the surroundings and the participants of the ritual.
– Akshat is given as a prasad, a sacred gift, to the devotees after the ritual, as a way of sharing and distributing the divine grace and bounty. The devotees may consume the Akshat, or keep it in their homes, or use it for their own rituals. This signifies the assimilation and manifestation of the divine qualities and attributes in one’s life.