VOICE OF THE RISHIS - 8

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Priya Bhagavat Banduvullara,

 

VOICE OF THE RISHIS - 8

 

ANNAM BAHU KURVEETHA

 

--Taittireeyopanishad, Bhriguvalle 9

 

 

" Multiply food " is the great Upanishad saying. Grow more food

is the modern dictum. Increasing the growth of food production is the

oldest and noblest of all professions. Food satisfies the prime urge

of man, namely hunger. Hence agriculture assumes prime importance in

human civilization, as it serves the basic need of man. Growing food

and treating food with respect are the ancient age old ways of

India.

" Annam Brahma " says Vedas and ordains us to treat food with

veneration as food sustains man bascially and all other needs follow

later.

 

Green revolution, bringing arid barren lands under plough by

serveral irrigational methods, is the most welcome feature of our

world. Prof.Malthus, the great economist views that if population

left unhindeered, beyond food production world would be led to

famines, wars and deaths. Hence bringing more lands under the

plough, using scientifi ways of agricultural production, are

enivisaged in this pithy upanishadic saying to grow food more and

more. It can be seen that all religions ordain their followers to

say a short prayer before taking food. It may be thanks giving or a

sanctifying proposition or an invocation. Whatever it may be, food

is to be shown the greatest consideration. Count leo Tolstoy, the

Russian writer whom Mahatma Gandhiji considered as Guru, asserts in

so many terms that the noblest and most fundamental profession of man

is agriculture. Born as a rich noble man, he gave up all riches and

began tilling the lands with his own hands, growing food.

 

" ANNAM BAHU KURUVETHA "