Pujya Ramsukhdasji Maharaj

[Guest guest]

About Food and Prayer

 

In the Upanishads, it is mentioned " As is the food, so is the mind " .

So a man should eat pure food, because it purifies his mind. The

place, seat, scene and atmosphere where he eats the food should also

be pure and holy, as these also affect the mind. Moreover, feelings

and thoughts of the person cooking the food should also be pure and

divine.

 

Before having a meal, a person should wash both his hands, and feet

and mouth. Sitting on a clean and pure seat, facing the East or North,

offering food first to the Lord, by reciting verses - " Whosoever

offers to Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water that

offering of love, of the pure of heart I accept " Gita 9:26.

 

After this he should take a little water in his palm and recite the

following verse " The act of offering is God, the oblation is God. It

is offered by God, into the Fire of God. God is verily to be attained

by him who always sees God in action " (Gita 4:24).

 

Then he should drink the water. While putting his first morsel into

his mouth, he should recite the sacred mantra (hymn) of sixteen words

" Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna, Hare Krisna,

Kirshna Krisna hare Hare " or chant his favorite mantra (two times).

Thus he chews a morsel 32 times, as there are sixteen words in the

sacred mantra. This food then becomes digestible, nourishing and

purified at the same time one remains absorbed in adoration of the

Lord by reciting His name.

 

If while having your meal, the mind is dwelling on evil propensities

such as hatred, envy, jealousy, fear and greed, the food will not be

digested well, and person will suffer indigestion. Therefore while

eating food, one should be free from all evil propensities, and should

remain calm.