the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Encyclopedias
Amrita
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or in Hindu mythology, is the nectar of immortality which the gods on Mount Meru drink to lengthen their lives, for they are not immortal. The gods and giants are said to have carried the Mandar mountain into a sea of milk, wound the huge snake Ananden around it, and turned the mountain so long that the milk became butter, out of which arose the moon, happiness, abundance, and all arts and sciences. Then came a genius carrying a vessel, full of this holy nectar. This caused a fierce combat between the gods and the giants, which Vishnu decided in favor of the former. The giants were thrown down the fearful precipice, and the gods enjoyed rest on the Meru mountain. Symbolism sees in this myth the turning of the earth on its axis, and interprets the snake as the equator belting the earth. The combat is interpreted as a revolution of the earth, upon which the repose of the human race follows.
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Amrita'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/a/amrita.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
