We are all well aware that food is an indispensable element for human survival on this planet. Consuming food sustains our health and keeps our lives in motion. Although we understand its importance, research on food continues to thrive. Countless books have been written on various aspects—what kinds of food to eat, how to cook it, optimal eating times, appropriate portions, and proper table manners. However, amidst this extensive discourse, the most crucial aspect often overlooked is the mindset with which we approach eating.
In our revered scriptures, food is exalted as Brahma or Paramatma, the supreme spiritual entity. The Taittiriya Upanishad, a distinguished scriptural text, provides a detailed meditation on the sanctity of food through the following shloka:
“अन्नम् हि भूतानाम् ज्येष्ठं।
तस्मात् सर्व औषधं उच्यते।
अन्नाद भूतानि जायन्ते।
जातानि अन्नेन वर्धन्ते।
अद्यतेऽत्ति च भूतानि।
तस्माद् अन्नं तदुच्यत इति।।”
– तैत्तिरीय उपनिषद
“Annam hi bhūtānām jyeṣṭham.
Tasmāt sarva auṣadhaṁ ucyate.
Annād bhūtāni jāyante.
Jātāni annena vardhante.
Adyate’atti ca bhūtāni.
Tasmād annaṁ taducyata iti.”
– Taittiriya Upanishad
Decoding this shloka reveals a profound truth: all living beings are born from food, they survive due to food, and ultimately, they return to the state of food. This is why food is considered the most ancient and sacred. We have all experienced that no being can exist without it.
Much like modern nutritionists who delineate the dos and don’ts of dietary choices, our scriptures also categorize food into three distinct types—Tamasic, Rajasic, and Sattvik. Each type imparts different qualities and influences on our mind and body.
Amidst the glut of information available to us—from books to online resources—detailing the intricacies of food preparation, consumption, and choice, one crucial aspect often remains overshadowed: the mental attitude with which we partake in our meals. Our scriptures proclaim that this mental attitude while eating is of paramount importance.
Many factors surrounding food—its source, type, preparation method, and even the mental disposition of the cook—often lie beyond our control. However, our emotional state or mood as we consume our food remains firmly within our grasp. This is why our sacred texts place significant emphasis on the mindset we bring to the table.
In the Mahabharat, Ved Vyas provides profound guidance on the enriching emotions one should cultivate while eating:
संप्रीति भोज्यानि
अन्नानि आपद्
भोज्यानि वा पुनः।
– वेद व्यास, महाभारत
“Sampreeti bhojyāni
Annāni āpad
Bhojyāni vā punaḥ.”
– Ved Vyas, Mahabharat
By interpreting this shloka, we can discern that our lives oscillate between two primary states of existence: the routine, everyday conditions we usually encounter, and the extraordinary, unforeseen circumstances that arise unexpectedly. This shloka offers insight into the appropriate mental approach to eating in both ordinary times and during moments of crisis, or abnormal circumstances.
Ved Vyas elucidates that during such unusual or troubling times—whether they involve natural calamities, health issues, or personal difficulties affecting those we care about—the usual considerations for mindset or mood while eating become secondary. Instead, he advises that food should be consumed as medicine. In times of distress, it is crucial to remember that sustenance is indispensable for generating the energy required to cope with and overcome difficulties.
Ved Vyas emphasizes that in such abnormal conditions, one should not dwell on their emotional state while eating. Rather, food should be viewed as a vital source of energy, necessary for maintaining the body’s proper functioning. Thus, even in challenging circumstances, one should adopt the mental attitude that food is akin to medicine—essential and life-sustaining.
This perspective underscores the importance of nourishment, irrespective of the emotional and physical turmoils one might be facing. By maintaining this mindset, we ensure that we remain strong and capable of supporting both ourselves and others in times of need.
In ordinary circumstances, our daily lives, we should approach meals with a sense of joy and a positive mindset. It’s not enough to simply have a routine positive attitude while eating; we must also avoid watching or discussing negative topics that can induce anger or annoyance. Consuming food in a negative environment disrupts our harmony with the meal.
Thus, it is crucial to avoid eating in such unfavorable settings. Genuine happiness derived merely from consuming a favorite meal or positive thoughts about eating is insufficient. In the shloka, Veda Vyasa uses the term ‘संप्रीति,’ signifying extreme happiness. He refers to a state of profound joy, akin to the elation experienced when reuniting with loved ones or attaining cherished desires. This level of happiness should be cultivated before eating.
Achieving this state transforms the meal into a healthier, more beneficial experience, infusing our lives with peace and joy. Thus, in routine life, we should always eat with an attitude of extreme happiness.
Now, understanding that we should eat only after fostering a mental state of extreme happiness, the question arises: “How do we create such a state?” There are numerous ways to develop this mental attitude, but the simplest method is through prayer. Observing religious practices worldwide—from Hinduism and Sikhism to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam—reveals that a prayer is often recited before meals.
Engaging in prayer before eating alters our mental frequency, promoting the secretion of happiness-inducing hormones. This process effectively turns food into a form of medicine. Thus, practicing prayer before a meal can elevate our dining experience, ensuring meals are consumed in a state of profound happiness and making the food we eat beneficial to our well-being.
Shubham Bhavatu.
