To Latha on food preparation at the Mandir

[Guest guest]

Latha wrote:

I thought I will start off this topic that Swamiji and Steve have

raised , with one of the rules that is observed at the Mandir - the

rules of "Jhuta" - ie the rules of cleanliness in preparing food ,

your table/food manners.The food cooked in the Mandir is always done

with a mantra...The food cooked is first offered to Annapurna - the

Goddess who nourishes us...Before the food is served, it is offered

to Annapurna with the famous shloka Yama and Niyama at the

Mandir - JhutaNamaste All,I thought I will start off this topic that

Swamiji and Steve have raised , with one of the rules that is

observed at the Mandir - the rules of "Jhuta" - ie the rules of

cleanliness in preparing food , your table/food manners.The food

cooked in the Mandir is always done with a mantra . Maa always asks

us to "do with mantra" - chop with mantra, season with mantra, boil

with mantra , .... you get the idea.The food cooked is first offered

to Annapurna - the Goddess who nourishes us , and therefore it is

considered prasad and not tasted while being cooked. No dipping of

fingers or tasting spoons to check on the spice or salt or sugar.

Before the food is served, it is offered to Annapurna with the famous

shloka "Annapurne Sadapurne Shankara prana vallabe ....Om hrim

Annapurnaya Namah"Before the food is eaten, each person chants the

shloka "Brahmarpanam .." followed by "Purnamadah..." This is the

saying grace concept from the East.While eating, if you want to serve

yourself seconds , then you would either use the left hand to help

yourself if you have not touched the plate with this hand (and hence

"unclean" ) OR you would simply wash your hands and serve yourself .

I am trying to remember if there is anything else that is observed at

the Mandir esp with regard to food. I hope Parvati will chime in with

more stuff.

Dear Latha ~ this is so beautiful. Can you translate this into English

please,so I will know the meaning. I would like to start using it:

"Annapurne Sadapurne Shankara prana vallabe ....Om hrim Annapurnaya Namah"

If you can also give the transliterated Sanskrit and English for the Brahmarpanam and the

Purnamadah, I would be soooo happy. Thank you endlessly , Jai Maa ~ Linda