page 13

The Art of Eating By 268 Votes

Submitted By : Tejomayananda On 4/29/2008 1:08:39 AM Email Friends

The Art of Eating The art of Eating consists in WHAT we eat as well as HOW we eat and what is our intention (BHAV).Today we are losing our old values. We eat food while watching TV.Today children don’t know how to naman Prasadam before eating food.It is also important in which posture children and elders are sitting while eating food. Our eating habits have absolutely changed in last 4 decades.Children prefer fast food in comparison of eating Amla, green vegetables or seasonal fruits.Maharshi Charak has explained it very beautifully how should we eat.When Maharshi Charak completed his all books. One day he thought that he must observe that people are following the right track or not. He transformed himself in the form of a bird and he went to the market of Physicians and he sat on a tree and started speaking in high voice- “Kouruk” (Who is healthy?) That means, “ who is not a patient?” Physicians (Vaidhyas) heard the voice of bird . One vaidhya answered, “The person who eats chyavanprash”? Second Vaidhya said, “The person who eats chandraprabhavati.” Third Vaidhya answered, “The person who eats Siddhamakardhwaja.” Some one answered, “He who eats lavanbhaskar.” Maharshi Charak went to so many places and he questioned everywhere but he couldn’t get correct answer. In last he was disappointed and he flew at a lonely place in a jungle. He sat on a branch of a dry tree. A river was flowing there. Meanwhile renowned Vaidhya Vagbhatt was coming after taking bath in the river. Maharshi Charak recognized him and asked the same question, “Kouruk”. Vagbhatt Stopped there. He saw the bird and said- “Hitbhuk Mitbhuk Ritbhuk”. After listening it Maharshi Charak came down in his real form and spoke to Vagbhatt , “you are saying it correct Vaidhyaraj. Hitbhuk-It means to eat such food which is good for health. Don’t live for the taste of the tongue. When you live for the taste of tongue, you spoil your stomach and you fall ill. Mitbhuk- It means to eat in proportionate quantity. Eat good food in sufficient quantity. Exceess of everything is injurious for health. If you drink nectar in excess then it becomes poison. If you have the appetite of four chappaties then eat three. Ritbhuk-Only hitbhuk does n’t solve the purpose. If a person wants to go deep spiritually then it is essential that he must be Ritbhuk. Ritbhuk means that the food which you are eating is aquired through hard earned money not by cheating or bribe etc. That’s why it is said,“Jaisa khaye anna vaisa hoe mana.” If you eat the food of an honest and hard earned money.You would get purity of thought and pure consciousness. When inner is pure then Divinity would flow and eternal bliss would be there. That’s why it is said , “ Aahar shuddhi sattva shuddhi, sattva shuddho dhruva smrati.” Always remember ? First pray to Lord for His Grace then Eat food. ? Avoid talking while eating ? Don’t eat in hurry. ? Always sit in a proper posture then eat food. ? Eat when you have properly digested previous meal. ? Don’t have negative thoughts in your mind while eating. ? Don’t watch TV while eating. ? Be cheerful while eating. ? Always thank Lord for His Grace after finishing food.