By Dr. Diya Vandana Sharma
A post in the form of this animated picture is gaining popularity on the internet claiming that Biryani has Vedic roots and is refered to as ‘Mansodan’.
It becomes my earnest duty to clarify this misconception by giving references from primary sources.
Adi Shankaracharya’s commentary on Brihdaranyakopanishad 6/4/18 says : ‘Odan’ (rice) mixed with Uksha is called ‘Mansodan’. Here Mansodan refers to a combination of cooked rice and Uksha. And here Uksha dznt refer to an ox meat as it is misinterpreted rather it refers to a medicinal plant as mentioned in Shushutrashastra and Bhavaprakasha. However, the word ‘Mansodan’ has never ever been used with the connotation of Biryani. Rather it is used with the connotation of medicinal preparation and finds mention in Rigveda Richa no: 1.135.9, 9.83.2, 9.85.10, 9.89.2, 9.95.4. This medical preparation has Uksha in it which is a type of Soma. Again Soma dznt refer to liquor rather it refers to the juice of a climbing medicinal plant which is now days known as Sarcostema Viminalis or Aslepias Acida. Therefore, ‘Mansodan’ refers to a medicinal preparation and not Biryani.
