Hindu Mythology

The colorful deities and demons of India...

IDA

Hindu Sacrifice fabulous creature

A milky maid of holy offerings

Would anyone like a piece of cheese? Ida started out as the personification of dairy offerings, particularly milk and butter. These have special significance in Hindu mythology due to the sacred cow connection.

Then it transpired that she was quite the expert at sacrificial rituals. One look at the terrible mess Manu was making of his holy offerings and she was eager to help. “No no no! Haven’t you ever sacrificed dairy before? For goodness sake! Use a smaller spoon. Not like that. Put that over there. Put this here. Now bring it to the boil and cover.” And so on.

Pretty soon she was advising all the Gods how to arrange their sacrificial cooking arrangements. Even some of the Asuras invited her over for a quick tutorial. She could have made a fortune writing cookery books.

As a deity associated with milk and dairy, Ida is sometimes regarded as having the form of a cow. This makes sense — would you worship anyone that looked like a knob of butter?

We understand she’s now working in Heaven as a waitress.

Ida Facts and Figures

Name: Ida
Pronunciation: Coming soon
Alternative names:

Gender: Female
Type: fabulous creature
Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present

Role:
In charge of: Ritual Slaughter
Area of expertise: Sacrifice, Ritual Slaughter

Good/Evil Rating: GOOD, quite approachable
Popularity index: 3732

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Article last revised on September 18, 2018 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

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