What does amreeta mean?
Amreeta is an anglicized spelling of the Sanskrit word amrita, meaning the nectar of immortality in Hindu mythology. According to ancient texts, the gods (devas) and demons (asuras) cooperated in churning the primeval ocean of milk using Mount Mandara as a churning rod and the serpent Vasuki as a rope; after great effort, a pot of amreeta emerged along with other treasures. To prevent the demons from seizing it, Vishnu assumed the form of the beautiful Mohini and distributed the nectar only to the gods, granting them immortality. Beyond its mythological sense, amreeta is used figuratively for anything that bestows everlasting life or deep spiritual bliss, much as Western writers use ambrosia or the elixir of life. It remains primarily a literary, scriptural, and cultural term rather than part of everyday vocabulary.
nounIn Hindu mythology, the divine nectar of immortality that the gods obtained by churning the ocean of milk; by extension, anything conferring immortal life or spiritual bliss.
- The nectar of immortality in Hindu mythology, produced when the gods and demons churned the ocean of milk.
- By extension, any drink, food, or substance believed to confer eternal life or profound spiritual bliss.
"The gods and demons churned the cosmic ocean for a thousand years before amreeta finally rose to the surface."
"According to the Puranas, Vishnu disguised himself as the enchantress Mohini to keep the amreeta from the demons' grasp."
"For the pilgrims, a sip of the sacred water felt like amreeta — a taste of eternity."
Rarely pluralized, since the word typically refers to a single legendary substance; plural use occurs only in loose figurative contexts.
"Different traditions tell of different amreetas, each promising its own kind of eternity."
When gods and demons churned a cosmic ocean for a thousand years, this was the prize they fought over — a drink that makes you immortal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of amreeta
Amreeta derives from the Sanskrit word amṛta, literally 'non-dead' or 'undying', formed from the negative prefix a- plus mṛta ('dead'), the past participle of the root mṛ ('to die'). It is thus cognate with the Greek ambrosia, which has exactly the same Indo-European construction (a- + mbrotos, 'mortal'). The anglicized spelling 'amreeta' reflects Indian pronunciation conventions, while 'amrita' is the more common modern transliteration.
How amreeta is actually used
A literary and religious term drawn from Hindu scripture and mythology; it appears mainly in translations of texts like the Bhagavata Purana and in writing about Indian religion, rather than in everyday speech. The spelling 'amrita' is more common in scholarly and popular usage.
Easily confused with amreeta
Amrita is the standard transliteration of the same Sanskrit word, while 'amreeta' is an anglicized spelling variant referring to the identical concept.