Nivedhyam: Ney Payasam

What is payasam?

Payasam is sweet porridge. This is also known as kheer. There are many varieties of payasams, each made of a principal ingredient like milk, ghee, jiggery, etc. It is also flavored with cardamom, raisins, saffron, cashews, pistachios or almonds. While it is a popular cuisine across India, payasam also occupies a prominent place in religious practices and rituals. Payasam remains an important nivedhyam offered to the deities, especially in Kerala’s temples. Of the many varieties, some payasams are considered special to specific deities and are offered particularly to them.

What is the significance of a nivedhyam?

A nivedhyam is an offering made to the deities. Even though the idols of the deities are made of stone, five metals or any other material, they are not mere inert objects, but are considered active matter imbibed with energies that can connect and resonate with human life forms. They have manifested in various forms on Earth, thus making themselves available to influence and elevate the lives of those who are willing to connect with them. While offering delicacies like sweets and fruits is a good way of expressing our gratitude to the divine forms, there is a much higher and practical intelligence involved in this form of worship. Of the six tastes, only sweet is considered generally satwic. Satwa is a pure, light, clear, calming and harmonizing energy that opens the mind and promotes wakefulness. Fruits themselves are natural sweets which are pleasant in taste and are nourishing for the body. Similarly, brown rice, nuts and seeds, milk, honey, ghee, raw sugar and jaggery are also satwic foods, and when consumed in balance provide better power of perception, as they nourish both the brain and the heart. Thus, these offerings come from the practical logic to encourage the use and consumption of satwic foods as a healthy body-and-mind-building mechanism. Such foods allow the mind to stay clear and focused. It can be easily observed that behind all the practices that are performed as remedies, like nivedhyam, there is a clear understanding of the mechanics of body-mind consciousness and their relatedness. Understanding this underlying principle helps to appreciate and approach the remedies with better focus and reverence.

What are the benefits of offering Ghee Payasam Nivedhyam? 

The Ghee Payasam offering is considered special for Gods Shiva, Krishna and Hanuman. Payasam Nivedhyam is a simple offering, but it acts as a very effective remedy. This relieves the devotees from diabetes and also from other health problems that occur due to malefic and phlegmatic planets. Astrologically, those with a weak moon in their horoscopes can also perform this remedy on the days of their birth star for relief.