{{Short description|Sanskrit term for milk}} '''''Kshira''' (''{{Langx|sa|क्षीर|translit=Kṣīra}})<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gvozdanović |first=Jadranka |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S-hmNOLuDGsC&dq=K%E1%B9%A3%C4%ABra+Sanskrit+milk&pg=PA286 |title=Indo-European Numerals |date=1992 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-011322-8 |pages=286}}</ref> is a Sanskrit word for milk.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Monier-Williams |first=Sir Monier |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FzRDAQAAMAAJ&dq=Kshira+milk&pg=PA268 |title=A Sanskṛit-English Dictionary Etymologically and Philologically Arranged: With Special Reference to Greek, Latin, Gothic, German, Anglo-Saxon, and Other Cognate Indo-European Languages |date=1872 |publisher=Clarendon Press |pages=268 |language=en}}</ref> ''Kshira'' is also the archaic name for sweet rice pudding kheer, popular in the Indian subcontinent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/ds-group-enters-dairy-market-with-ksheer/article1-1112050.aspx|title=DS group enters dairy market, with 'ksheer'|work=Hindustan Times|date=20 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220090554/http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/ds-group-enters-dairy-market-with-ksheer/article1-1112050.aspx |access-date=29 March 2023|archive-date=2013-12-20 }}</ref> The term ''kshira'' is used and perceived differently from commonplace milk, termed ''dugdha'' in Sanskrit. ''Kshira'' also variably refers to any liquid or watery substance.
In Hindu mythology and cosmogony, the ''Kshira Sagara'' ({{langx|sa|क्षीरसागर}}, {{IAST3|Kṣīra Sāgara}}; {{langx|ta|Tiruppāṟkaṭal|italic=yes}}; {{langx|ml|Pālāḻi|italic=yes}}; {{langx|te|Pala Samudram|italic=yes}}) is the abode of the god Vishnu. The Vishnu Purana narrates the ''Samudra Manthana'', or the churning of this ocean, by ''devas'' (gods) and asuras (demons) to produce sacred items including the elixir of life known as ''amrita''.<ref>Vishnu Purana</ref>
==In popular culture== * Kheer * Sheer khurma * Kshira Sagara, or milk ocean * Sheera as a sweet porridge, alternatively known as Halva. * Sheermal * Shirodhara, as an Ayurvedic therapy. * Kshira, brand name of dairy products produced by DS Group.<ref>[http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Am-Welcoming-You-To-Kik-Culinary-Corner-And-History-Of-Some/297089 Culinary corner and history]{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * Ksirodakasayi Vishnu, expanded form of Vishnu, residing in the Kshira Sagara.
==See also== * Ocean of Milk * Kheer * Payasam * Sheermal
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Milk in culture Category:Sanskrit words and phrases