prasda

Prasda, more commonly spelled prasada or prasadam in many traditions, is a term used in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism to denote a religious offering of food that has been consecrated to a deity and then shared with worshippers. The concept centers on the belief that the deity has accepted the offering and that the food carries divine grace or blessing when distributed to devotees.

Etymology and meaning: The word derives from Sanskrit prasāda, meaning grace, blessing, or favor. In ritual use, prasāda is the tangible expression of that grace, believed to confer spiritual benefit to those who receive it.

Practice and form: Food offered during puja or naivedya is prepared with care, invoked with prayers or mantras, and presented to the deity. After the deity is deemed to have accepted the offering, the consecrated food is returned to the community as prasāda. The form of prasāda varies widely; it may be fruits, sweets, cooked meals, or other edible items, and it is often distributed in temples as mahaprasad or simply prasāda. In Sikhism, prasād is produced in langar kitchens and shared with all visitors, emphasizing equality and communal service.

Cultural significance: Prasāda is viewed as a sacred blessing intended to be shared, reinforcing communal bonds and devotional devotion. Recipients typically treat prasāda with reverence, sometimes observing norms of cleanliness, respect, and gratitude in its consumption.

Variants and transliterations: Spelling and pronunciation vary by language and tradition, including prasada, prasadam, prasad, and prashad. See also disambiguation or regional usage for context within specific religious communities.