Trimadhura: Meaning in Sanskrit and the Purāṇas

Trimadhura · tri-madhura, “the three sweets”

Grammar: neuter noun; a compound of tri (three) and madhura (sweet): “the three sweets”. Also madhura-traya, “the triad of sweet things”.

Meaning: the three sweet substances, ghee, honey and sugar, offered together in homa and used in the installation of mūrtis.

In the scriptures: the Agni Purāṇa names the three sweets in these places.

In the śānti-homa: in the adhivāsa of a mūrti, which Bhagavān Hayagrīva teaches Brahmā, sesame mixed with ghee is offered with the vyāhṛti mantra and ghee with the mūla-mantra; then the śānti-homa is done with the madhura-traya: ghee, honey and sugar (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 59).
In the installation of Varuṇa: in the rite of installing wells, step-wells and tanks, which Hayagrīva teaches Brahmā, the eyes of the golden image of Varuṇa are opened with honey, ghee and sugar, with the mantras “citraṃ devānām” and “taccakshur devahitam”. At the end, reciting “āpo hi shṭhā mayobhuvaḥ”, the image of Varuṇa is placed in a kalaśa holding the three sweets, and Varuṇa with the kalaśa is placed safely in the middle of the water (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 64).
Against disease: Dhanvantari tells Suśruta that one who offers homa with dūrvā grass dipped in the trimadhura, with the Gāyatrī mantra, becomes free of disease (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 280).

Related terms: Madhu · Ghṛta · Homa · Varuṇa · Pratishṭhā · Trikaṭu

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