Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
[38]
It is natural to ask in the context of the Upasakadasangasutra whether Anand consumed cow ghee only during the autumn season throughout the year? Why did he not keep fresh ghee?
The truth is, from the perspective of rasa-poshan (nutritional value), autumn holds exceptional significance among all six seasons. According to Ayurveda, during autumn, amrita (life essence) drips from the rays of the moon. This is not an exaggeration. Autumn is the time that lies between the rainy and winter seasons. During this season, there is a special rasa-sanchar (flow of essence) in medicinal herbs, plants, trees, shrubs, and grasses. The plants that bear fruit during this time are strength-enhancing, beneficial, and delicious. It is highly likely that Anand's motivation behind consuming cow ghee during autumn was this very sentiment. The ghee from cows that graze on grass during this time possesses a special quality from the perspective of its properties. Ayurveda also believes that ghee that is one year old is mature ghee. It is particularly beneficial for health and easy to digest. Fresh ghee is heavy to digest.
_ In Bhava Prakash, it is written about ghee: "After one year, ghee is considered ancient. Such ghee destroys the three doshas - vata, pitta, and kapha - and balances all three. It destroys fainting, leprosy, poison-related ailments, madness, epilepsy, and timir (darkness before the eyes).
This mention in Bhava Prakash makes it clear that ghee is not inedible for a year. It is an excellent food. It is both nourishing and dosha-destroying. If ghee is heated thoroughly and filtered after removing buttermilk, etc., it does not develop foul odor, bad taste, or other defects for a year.
As a medicine, the older the ghee, the better it is considered. Bhava Prakash writes:
"As ghee becomes older, its qualities increase more and more."
Kalyanakghrit, Mahakalyanakghrit, Lashunadyghrit, Panchgavyghrit, Mahapanchgavyghrit, Brahmi ghrit, etc., all the ghritas that are prepared in Ayurveda for the treatment of various diseases, use ancient cow ghee. For example, in the Charaka Samhita, it is written about Brahmi ghrit:
"Brahmi ghrit is said to be prepared from the juice of Brahmi, vach, kuth, and shankhpushpi, and ancient cow ghee."
1. वर्षादूर्ध्व भवेदाज्यं पुराणं तत् त्रिदोषनुत्। मूर्छाकुष्टविषोन्मादापस्मारतिमिरापहम्॥
_ Bhava Prakash, Ghritavarg 15 1. यथा यथाऽखिलं सर्पिः पुराणमधिकं भवेत्। तथा तथा गुणैः स्वैः स्वैरधिकं तदुदाहृतम् ॥
_ Bhava Prakash, Ghritavarg 16