In Vedic
culture, a lot of importance is given to the act of eating. It is believed that
as we eat, so is our thought process. The food that we eat becomes part of us-
not only the minerals and vitamins become part of our physical body, but the
subtle part of the food becomes part of our thought process. So, a lot of
emphasis is given on taking pure and saatvic food. When we offer food while
chanting prayers and while paying our gratitude to Mother Nature and the
omnipresent God, the food gets purified and become Prasad.
One of the reasons that the modern man is facing restlessness
and depression is that just for the sake of taste and time-saving, modern man
gets into the habit of consuming all kinds of tamsi food while watching TV. Such
common practices leads to all sort of chaos in the society as well. As per our Vedic
culture, food is considered as medicine for the illness
of hunger and as the sustenance of life.
When we chant holy prayers, our mind becomes pious and peaceful
in the remembrance of Paramatma that has made the food available to us in
nature. Eating such saatvic food with peaceful mind helps the true seeker in
not only attaining physical and mental strength, but also in attaining the goal
of spiritual blissfulness.
Here are a few Mantras that a true seeker chants
before eating the meal.
Harir Daatha Harir Bhoktha, Harir Annam Prajaapatih I
Harir Vipra Shareerast, Bhoonkte Bhojayathe Harih II
O Lord Hari, You are the food, You are the enjoyer of the food,
You are the giver of food. Therefore, I offer all that I consume at your Lotus
Feet.
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