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In Hindu Literature: Indra

The inmates of the house look at the madhuparka and murmur, "May Indra come thither." - Mention of honey occurs over and over again in those parts of the books describing the sacrificial rites upon sacred days of which the Hindu calendar was full. Upon one of these days, for instance, offerings were made thus : - "Having cooked milk-rice for Indra he sacrifices it, mixed with curds, honey and ghee, to Indra, Indrânî, the two Aswins, the full moon of Asvayuga, and to the autumn."

At the ceremony of the cutting of the beard in the sixteenth year of his age the youth takes upon himself a vow which must be kept a year, a part of the vow being that he shall avoid eating honey and flesh.

In Hindu Literature As we proceed from the earlier to the later Hindu writings we notice a change. The old Vedic faith becomes displaced by beliefs less simple and more earthy.

We find the gods multiplied in number and their offices grown involved and obscure. But the bees and their honey still occupy their old place in sacrifices and ceremonies. In fact, they too have advanced in complexity of office and are intimately connected with the godhead.