Clarified Butter as Sacred Nectar
Neyyamuthu (Tamil: neyy = ghee/clarified butter + amuthu = nectar; 'ghee nectar') is the devotional name for ghee when used in sacred preparation and offering. Ghee (ghrta in Sanskrit) occupies the highest place in Vedic ritual — every fire sacrifice (yajña) uses ghee as the primary oblation poured into the sacred fire (āhuti).
Vedic and Āgamic Use
In temple worship, ghee is used to:
- Enrich the deity's naivedyam — rice with ghee (annasuthi)
- Lamp (dīpa) offerings — ghee-lit lamps are supremely auspicious
- Abhiṣeka sequences — ghee is among the pañcāmṛtam substances
- Yāgam rituals — ghee oblations are the primary offering
Clarification as Purification
The process of making ghee — boiling butter until all water and milk solids are removed — is understood as a metaphor for spiritual purification. Just as ghee is butter clarified of impurities, the devotee's practice aims to clarify the soul of karmic impurities until only the pure self remains in service to the Lord.