Interesting History of Mustard Oil

Mustard and its oil are used chiefly as a cooking oil, medicinal agent, spice, condiment and herb has been referenced in the ancient scriptures since 6th Century BC. Use of Black mustard first can be traced as early as in Bronze Age. Mustard seeds are find mention in the Bible and also in Indian Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. Mustard oil, since then has become extremely popular in the Indian cuisines. Many of you must be aware that mustard oil is an excellent healer and has multiple beneficial qualities. Let’s check out what history has in its reserve about this oil.

Story of Shani Dev

In Hindu society, it is a practice to give Shani dev a good bath in oil. But few are aware of the reason behind it. Here’s a short story to enlighten about it.

Ramayana, the Hindu epic says that when the bridge was constructed from Rameswaram to Lanka by Ram’s Vanar(monkey) army, Hanumanji had been put to look into its security and protection.

One day, as Hanumanji has been sitting under the trees and offering prayers to Lord Rama, Shanidev came and introduced himself and lured him to fight with him. In reply to Shanidev, Hanumanji asked him not to disturb his meditation.  However, Lord Shani Dev was too insistent to put up a duel. Hanumanji was furious in rage and he stretched out his tail and started tying up Shani Dev with it, slowly tightening the coiled tail. Lord Shani Dev constantly tried to relieve himself from it. Hanumanji moved his tail here and there and Shanidev hit against the bridge, and started bleeding. When his pain became absolutely unbearable, he requested Hanumanji to relieve him from this pain and asked for mercy for his behavior.  Hanumanji relieved him from his distress and promised that he will never hurt any ram’s devotee in the future. After that Shanidev asked for some oil to get relieved from the wretched pain. Hanumanji  offered  Shani Dev the oil, only after applying which, Shani Dev got relieved of his pain. Since then, it has become a tradition to offer mustard oil to Shanidev. Mustard oil since then is symbolic of soothing all sorts of pains including that of joints.

Mustard oil In Mahabharata

Mustard oil acts as an excellent preserver. In Mahabharata, mustard oil has been used to keep a body preserved for more than a year or so. It also speaks of the use of mustard oil by Draupadi.

Carrying a rich history with it, mustard oil is extremely popular since the earlier times till today. It has continued its legacy of being the favorite among the grandmothers to the young chefs. 

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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