तिल -Sesame Seeds

          Sesame seeds are called "Til" (तिल) in Hindi and Sanskrit. It is the oldest oilseed crop known. Due to being cultivated from ancient times and its capability to grow even in drought-like conditions, the sesame seeds have got a special place in Hindu traditions and worship. Sesame seeds are native to Indian Sub-continent and Africa. In India mostly two types of sesame seeds are grown - Black sesame and White sesame. The white sesame is used in making sweet sesame balls (Til Laddu- तिल लड्डू) while the black sesame is used both as sweet sesame balls and in worship. 
         

Different sweetmeat of sesame seeds
(Til) for Makar Sankranti

According to the Ayurveda, the effect of sesame seeds is warm for the body. Hence it is mostly consumed in the winters. Come November and one can notice the seasonal roadside "Tilkut-Shops" making Tilkuts. Tilkut is a sweetmeat prepared by roasting the sesame seeds in an earthen pot on a coal oven. Then it is mixed with either jaggery, sugar or palm sugar and pounded with a hammer to give a special "Tilkut-shape" which is flat circular in the middle and raised on the circumference. Since its preparation is labor intensive, it is generally made in shops. Homemade sweetmeat is the sesame balls. In a "Kadahi" the white or black sesame is roasted slowly. It is kept aside for cooling so that it becomes crispy. The jaggery is heated with a little water and when it is hot and full of bubbles, the roasted sesame is put in it and mixed well. Taking it down from the oven, the mix is made into small balls while still hot with a wet hand. It is called Til Laddu- तिल लड्डू. The "Tilkut" and Til Laddu (तिल लड्डू) is offered to gods (especially sun god) on the Hindu festival of Makara Sankranti. Makara Sankranti which generally falls on the 14th January each year marks the first day of Sun's transit into Capricorn which is called Makara in Hindi and Sanskrit. From this day the Sun is Uttarayana (उत्तरायण) or Northward. Uttarayana is thought to be preferable for good works. {There is a famous incident in Mahabharata about Bhishm Pitamaha who had a god-gift of choosing a time for his death. When in the Mahabharata war, Arjuna pierced his body with innumerable arrows, he fell down but not on the ground. He laid on the arrows in his body above the ground like on an arrow bed. The death was certain, but he waited for days till the Sun became Uttarayana.} After the worship the offered "Tilkut" and Til Laddu to gods is taken as Prasadam. On this Makar Sankranti festival, the elders give Til sweetmeats to youngers. While giving it there is a ritual to ask a question to younger - "will you remain ever faithful to me on account of each sesame seed?" The younger replies- "Yes".

         There are many types of sweetmeats of sesame. In addition to the above two types, there are "Til-Patti", Chikki and Khoa or Mawa filled Tilkut. They are made in different shapes to make it attractive. The Tilkut of Gaya (a town in Bihar, India) was once famous.

           The sesame seeds have a high oil content. It is edible and has a medicinal property which reduces the blood pressure to a little extent. But the sesame oil is used to light Deepam (दीप) which is offered to gods. The sesame oil Deepak is offered to please the Shani god and do away with bad effects of Shani planet (Saturn). 

        The black sesame seeds are offered to Shiva for good luck and good health. Donation of black sesame seeds is beneficial in doing away with the ill-effects of the planets of Rahu-Ketu. If the black sesame seeds are used to make a cow shape on a Vedi (Worship platform) and after worship, it is donated to a Brahmin along with clothes (Vastra), it is said to be equivalent to a "Godan" (Donation of a cow).

       

White and Black sesame seeds

  The black sesame seeds are regarded as a pure (Pavitra) thing in the Hindu culture. It is used in Pitripaksh to offer to dead forefathers (Pitar -पितर). The first fortnight of Hindu calendar month Ashwin is called Pitripaksh (आश्विन कृष्ण पक्ष). Hindus offer water (Jalam) preferably Ganga water with black Til to the souls of forefather so that they are satisfied and wish well for the living generation (Give Aashirwad). This act is called "Tarpan". The Pitars are called and offered black Til mixed water with the following Mantra (For example):-

अस्मत्पिता अमुकशर्मा  वसुरूपस्तृप्यमिदम् इदं तिलोदकं (गङ्गाजलं वा) 

तस्मै स्वधा नम: |  तस्मै स्वधा नम: |  तस्मै स्वधा नम: | 

(Meaning: We offer Til mixed water to our "Such" named father who is in Vasu form for his Satisfaction. We salute you.) The Til-water is dropped three times through between thumb and first finger.

         There are different forms of the Mantras for offering father, mother, grandfather, and grandmother. 
           Til is easily available in local markets but these may contain very minute sand like particles (Kankar). These make the Til Laddoos and Tilkut bad in chewing and also may harm your teeth. Hence it is advisable to buy it from a good shop. It is also available on Amazon at this link. And on Flipkart at this link.

           Therefore use sesame seeds in worship and in food. But remember, though sesame seeds are being used worldwide in food and chefs are doing experiments with new dishes using sesame seeds, in India traditionally it is used with sweet food items only not with salty foods just like milk. 

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