The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Efficacy of proper diet

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Monday, Aug 09, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Efficacy of proper diet

CHENNAI, AUG. 9. God's kindness to humanity is boundless. He keeps within easy reach of the multitude all that is needed for progressing in life. He leaves it to individual effort so that each person could work out his comfort level, find satiation at a worldly platform, before progressing to a higher spiritual level. It behoves of a man to put his blessings to proper use, by judicious control of the senses. Of all the sense organs, the tongue with its two-fold function, is the toughest to control. People readily acknowledge that even if they refrain from uttering unnecessary words, they are enslaved by the taste buds and cannot `resist temptation.' How then does one control his senses?

The Supreme Being has ordained observation of certain dietary restrictions during the `chaturmasya' (the monsoon months spanning July to October) for the well-being of all, said Sri Vidya Vachaspati Theertha (Pontiff, Sosale Vyasaraja Math). Just as medicines cater to all without distinguishing between a saint, a trader, a farmer, a doctor and others, so too does God view, without discrimination, all creation as His children. In the Varaha Avatar, the Lord discoursed to Dharanai (Mother Earth) on the efficacy of consuming the right diet. In the Bhagavad Gita too, there is reference to those types of food which help maintain equipoise and the other kind which stirs the baser nature which is latent. In his work "Harikatamrta Sara," Sri Jagannatha Dasa has composed "Bhojana Sandhi" which encapsulates the quintessence of food.

Why is it necessary to eat a particular type of food? Simply stated, to bring joy and true happiness which is much more than mere gratification of the senses. How does that happen? God is present in all the food consumed by the three types of living beings on earth, even as each type takes food in keeping with its individual characteristic nature -- satwic, rajasa and tamasa. Some may wonder at the relation between spiritual progress and the kind of food consumed. How does the Lord fit into the scheme of things ? As Vasudeva in rice, as Aniruddha in ghee and Krishna in cooked dal, as Upendra in vegetables, God steadily resides in all the food items that are eaten. Devotees should first submit the offerings to Him before consuming the same.

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