Honey: 10 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
See also
Buy products

Introduction:

Honey means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)

Source: archive.org: The Elephant Lore of the Hindus

Honey is denoted by the Sanskrit term Madhu (and whose smell is said to resemble the odor of certain elephants), according to the 15th century Matangalila composed by Nilakantha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 8, “on marks of character”]: “9. (Like) a Brahman (in character) is one who is pure, whose body is fragrant with odors like honey (madhu), milk, the rice concoction offered in sacrifice, ghee, or the flowers of the mango; who is fond of peace, and friendly to all elephants; composed, fond of bathing, right minded; so the sages declare”.

Source: Asian Agri-History: Paśu Āyurvēda (Veterinary Medicine) in Garuḍapurāṇa

Honey (in Sanskrit: madhu) is part of the diet in the treatment of horses, according to sections on the treatment of Horses (Gajāyurveda or Aśvāyurveda) in the Garuḍapurāṇa.—The diet also plays a role during the treatment because the food imparts a greater strength and vigour to the horses and acts as a general prophylactic against diseases. The following diets are mentioned for the horses in Garuḍapurāṇa, which are according to the doṣa: [...] The diet in pittaja-vikāra: In diseases due to the action of the deranged and aggravated Pitta, the diet should consist of a karṣa (12gm) weight of maṃsarasa (meat soup) mixed with madhu (honey), mudgarasa (green gram soup/ gravy) and ājya (clarified butter). [...]

Agriculture (Krishi) and Vrikshayurveda (study of Plant life)

Source: Asian Agri-History: Drumavichitrikaranam—The Ancient Approach to Plant Mutagenesis

Honey was used to produce Seedless Fruits: which was one of the technologies known to ancient Indian agriculturists, which presents a safe technology and methodology regarding organic agriculture, according to treatises (such as the Vrikshayurveda). One such technology was to produce seedless fruits: Seeds often impart a bitter taste, thereby causing an unpleasant experience while eating the fruit. Seeds also accelerate fruit deterioration. Hence seedless varieties of fruits have greater economic value. Use of Abrus precatorius (jequirity), Madhuca indica (butter tree), Saussurea lappa (costus), Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice), honey, sugar, and clarified butter is said to cause seedlessness.

Source: Shodhganga: Drumavichitrikarnam—Plant mutagenesis in ancient India

Honey (denoted by the Sanskrit term Madhu) is used in certain bio-organical recipes for plant mutagenesis, according to the Vṛkṣāyurveda by Sūrapāla (1000 CE): an encyclopedic work dealing with the study of trees and the principles of ancient Indian agriculture.—Accordingly, “If bulbs of various species of Nymphaea are uprooted tied together firmly with threads, smeared with melted butter and honey (madhu) and then planted they produce those respective species in bunches (on a single creeper). Similarly several wonders of transformation can be worked out by tying together the stems of Nerium indicum and those of various species of Punica granatum”.

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)

Honey and Ghee are used to clean the axe during the cutting of trees for the purpose of gathering Material for the Construction of Temples, according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, the architect is suggested to go to the forest to collect appropriate wood for temples in an auspicious day after taking advice from an astrologer. [...] At the time of Cutting the Trees one should clean the axe by smearing honey and ghee. After collecting the suitable wood from forest, the architect uses it according to his requirements and purposes. The eco-friendly suggestions of Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa are seen to protect the greenery and to balance a pollution free environment.

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Honey (for a honey-bath) is typically offered to the icon of the Lord as part of “liturgical worship”, as discussed in chapter 6 of the Sattvata-Samhita: one of the most ancient of Pancaratra Agamas consisting of roughly 3500 verses which stresses the theological standpoint of the oneness of God despite his various vyuhas (modes of existence), vibhavas (manifestations) and avataras (incarnations).—Description of the chapter [sūkṣamavyūha-devatā-bahiryāga-vidhi]: The details of how the liturgy step-by-step is prepared for and how it proceeds are given (7-131). [...] A special bathing cloth is advanced (29b), and then various items are given in order (verbally?) to the icon—[e.g., honey for a honey-bath] [...]. During these baths incense will have been offered, after which incense-scented and -purified towels are offered to cleanse off the deity’s body-one for the head and one for the body. [...]

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Relevant text

Search found 376 books and stories containing Honey; (plurals include: Honeys). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Review: Medicinal Effects of Tualang vs. Manuka Honey < [v.20(3): 1–183 2013 May]

Screening Stingless Bee Honey for ACE2-Spike Inhibition Activity < [v.29(5): 1–158 2022 Oct]

Anti-Cancer Effects of Heterotrigona itama Honey on Glioma Cells < [v.26(2): 1–137 2019 Mar]

+ 25 more chapters / show preview

Physicochemical analysis and organoleptic evaluation of honey during storage < [2014: Volume 3, May issue 3]

Honey: A Nutritional Powerhouse with Health Benefits and Healing Properties < [2020: Volume 9, January issue 1]

Nutritional and medicinal importance of madhu (honey) < [2015: Volume 4, July issue 7]

+ 1795 more chapters

Characterization of indian honey and estimation of its anti-proliferative activity < [2019, Issue 2, February]

Concept of mukha swasthya (oral hygiene) with ayurvedic per-spective < [2023, Issue 12, December]

A comparitive analysis of arjuna twak lepa and vatankuradi lepa in vyanga – a case study < [2018, Issue X, October]

+ 775 more chapters / show preview