Madhuparka
Madhuparka · madhu-parka, “the honey-mixture”
Grammar: masculine noun; a compound of madhu (honey) and parka (a mixture): “the honey-mixture”.
Meaning: the mixture of honey offered to an honoured guest, above all to the bridegroom when he arrives for the wedding.
In the scriptures: the Vāmana Purāṇa uses the word once, at the wedding of Bhagavān Śiva and Devī Pārvatī. Pulastya Maharshi tells Nārada how Hara came to the southern vedi (altar), filled with ṛshis. Himavān came to the maṇḍapa (wedding pavilion) dressed in white, with pavitra (a ring of darbha grass) in his hand, bringing a bright madhuparka. Trinetra, the three-eyed one, sat facing east. Himavān gave Kālī, placed her hand in Hara’s hand and said, “Deva! Accept her,” and Śarva grasped Pārvatī’s hand. Then Bhagavān Śiva partook of the madhuparka (madhuparka-prāśana), went up onto the vedi with Pārvatī and offered lājas (puffed rice) into the fire. The circling of the fire three times and the homa followed (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 27).
Related terms: Pāṇigrahaṇa · Vivāha · Lāja · Vedi · Homa
Sources
- Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 27