Amrita

Amrita (Sanskrit, IAST: amṛta) or Amata (Pali) is a word that literally means "immortality" and is often referred to in texts as nectar. Amṛta is etymologically related to the Greek ambrosia and carries the same meaning. The word's earliest occurrence is in the Rigveda, where it is one of several synonyms for soma, the drink which confers immortality upon the gods.

Amrita has varying significance in different Indian religions.

Amrit is also a common first name for Hindus; the feminine form is "Amritā".

Hinduism

Amrit is repeatedly referred to as the drink of the devas which grants them immortality.

Amrit features in the samudra manthan legend, which describes how the devas, because of a curse from the sage Durvasa, begin to lose their immortality. Assisted by their mortal enemies, the asuras, they churn the ocean and create (among other wonderful things) amrit, the nectar of immortality.

Amrit is sometimes said to miraculously form on, or flow from, statues of Hindu gods. The substance so formed is consumed by worshippers and is alleged to be sweet-tasting and not at all similar to honey or sugar water.

Amrita (novel)

Amrita （アムリタ) is a novel written by Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto (吉本ばなな）in 1994 and translated into English in 1997 by Russell F. Wasden.

Plot synopsis

The main character, Sakumi, loses her beautiful younger sister, an actress, to suicide. Sakumi subsequently falls down a flight of stairs, losing her memory. She struggles to regain her memory with the assistance of her sister's lover and a clairvoyant kid brother.

Awards

Book information

Amrita (English edition) by Banana Yoshimoto

References