Your Character is your Race - Moral story

This is a short story about "Senthan Amutharar" who is a great devotee of Lord Shiva.

Approximately 1200 years ago, "Senthan" lived in Chidambaran, in India.He is a woodcutter.His daily income was not much.But, inspite of that, daily he offers food strictly to one Lord Shiva devotee,  before he partakes his food.

Once there was a heavy rain and he lived in utter poverty.That time a sivan-adigalar(a Lord Shiva Devotee) with dripping clothes in rain came to Senthan in hunger requesting for food.But Senthan himself was living in empty stomach for many days.

To his surprise, he had some rice flour and jaggery with him.So he happily mixed both and made it into small balls(which is called kali in Tamil) and offered him.

The delighted sivan-adigalar ate it happily with content and  packed the leftover kali in a towel and took with him,

The next day, King Chola  visited Lord Nataraja temple.He got shocked on seeing God's mouth smeared with kali, spilled all over the body.That night God himself came in King's dream and told proudly about Senthan's act of giving kali to him.And he also added that King could understand the greatness of Senthan in chariot festival.

The next day, thousands of people jointly tried to move the chariot but they couldn't. That time a Godly voice from sky informed 'If Senthan sing's "pallandu song" chariot will move'.Accordingly Senthan started the song saying "mannuga thillai" and at the same time chariot also started to move.King immediately felled in Senthan's feet and worshiped him.

The day Senthan offered kali to God is "Thiruvathirai" festival(also called Arudra Darisanam) which comes in Margazhi month.And that's the reason even today we are offering kali to  Lord Shiva on that day.

Through Senthan God conveys "Your Character is your Race" moral to the world.

A person cannot belong to inferior/superior race, just because he/she born in a particular ethnic group.It is only his/her character which decided his race.

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Ramayana

Ramayana ("ayana" means journey)is a story about the Rama's journey on earth.It is one of the greatest Indian epic poem of Hinduism.It is originally written by the sage Valmiki  in Sanskrit as Valmiki Ramayana.

Who is Rama?

 Rama is an incarnation or(seventh) avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu.

Rama avatar is taken by the Lord Vishnu in Treta Yuga to destroy the evil forces and  uphold the dharma on earth.

Now we are living in Kali Yuga.Yuga means era.Era is the time period and the length of each yuga is many billion years.In Hinduism,one yuga cycle  is divided into four yugas namely Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kali Yuga.

Like cycle (summer,winter,autumn,rainy) of seasons repeat,this yuga cycle also repeats sequentially.

Rama avatar is a guidance for human beings on righteous living.

In this avatar,God himself born on earth as human being,lived and showed us how a man should live following dharma ,morals and virtues in all times of life inspite of hardship faced.

Rama is the epitome of moral excellence.He is the man of virtues.He is the embodiment of love and kindness.
Lord Rama ruled Ayodhya with justice,happiness,peace and prosperity.His rule is popularly known as Rama Rajya and even today his rule is said to be the example of the ideal rule.

Rama is referred as Maryada Purushottama which means perfect man.

He is the paradigm of t,he ideal man,ideal son,ideal brother,ideal husband,ideal king and ideal friend.

This Supreme hero(Rama's) life is written in Ramayana consisting of 24000 verses in seven kandas(books).

Seven Kandas of Ramayana

1) Bala Kanda - This book is about birth,childhood of Rama and his marriage to Sita.

2) Ayodhya Kanda - This book is about the joyous of the city and the arrangements for Rama's coronation and his exile into the forest.

3) Aranya Kanda - This book is about the Rama's life in forest and abduction of his wife Sita by Ravana.

4) Kishkindha Kanda - This book is about the Rama's meeting of Hanuman,his destruction of monkey king Vali and Sugriva's coronation as king of Kishkindha.

5) Sundara Kanda - This book is about the adventures of Hanuman and his travel to Lanka and meeting of Sita.It is the beautiful kanda in this story with happy news after the abduction of Sita.It is believed that the miseries of anyone reading "Sundara Kanda" will be removed.

6) Yuddha Kanda - This book is about the war between Rama and demon king Ravana's army,victory of Rama,Agni Pravesha of Sita to prove her chastity,Rama's Pattabhishekam.

7) Uttara Kanda - This book is about the banishment of Sita,birth of Rama's twin sons Lava and Kusha and their coronation as Ayodhya's king,Rama's depart from the world.

Reading Ramayana(Rama's life) is a guidance to live the life on the right path.

24000 verses in Ramayana and 24 syllables of Gayathri Mantra

Gayathri Mantra is a powerful mantra consisting of 24 syllables.At the beginning of every 1000 verses in Ramayana,a syllable of Gayathri Mantra is placed by the sage Valmiki.

Chanting Gayathri Mantra is a prayer to Sun God,who guides our intellect and helps us in taking right decisions.

Keeping this in mind,sage Valmiki devised Ramayana using this powerful syllables of Gayathri Mantra.

So whoever reading Ramayana will get the blessings of Sun God and would develop a good intellect which would in turn help them in taking right decisions in life.

Ramayana is a story with full of moral values and we need more intellect and God's blessings to understand the good message conveyed.

In this story Ravana because of his lust in mind,he had a bad ending.

Don't be driven by your mind's whims and fancies which may carry good and bad thoughts.Use your intellect before taking decisions.

Ravana never followed dharma and so his life became complicated and ended badly.

Life will be without complications if we follow dharma.

 We cannot be 100% free from problems because there is ups and downs even in Rama's(God) life.

Everyone like Rama must learn to control their senses and use their mind with intellect without giving up dharma to win hardships in life.

It is a wonderful book with all life lessons.

Reading Ramayana brings positive changes in life and it is a very good book  for pregnant women to read during pregnancy time.It is believed that reading or listening to such a high moral book will create a good positive influence on the character of the baby.

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The Lion and the Mouse

Once when a Lion was asleep, a little Mouse began running up and down upon him. This soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him and opened his big jaws to swallow him.

"Pardon, O King!" cried the little Mouse, "Forgive me this time. I shall never repeat it and I shall never forget your kindness. And who knows, but I may be able to do you a good turn one of these days?"

The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go.

Sometime later a few hunters captured the King and tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on.

Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, ran up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts.

 "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse, very happy to help the Lion.

MORAL: Little friends may prove great friends.

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The Monkey and the Dolphin

One day long ago, some sailors set out to sea in their sailing ship. One of them brought his pet monkey along for the long journey.

When they were far out at sea, a terrible storm overturned their ship. Everyone fell into the sea, and the monkey was sure that he would drown. Suddenly a dolphin appeared and picked him up.

They soon reached the island and the monkey came down from the dolphin’s back. The dolphin asked the monkey, “Do you know this place?”

The monkey replied, “Yes, I do. In fact, the king of the island is my best friend. Do you know that I am actually a prince?”

Knowing that no one lived on the island, the dolphin said, “Well, well, so you are a prince! Now you can be a king!” The monkey asked, “How can I be a king?”

As the dolphin started swimming away, he answered, “That is easy. As you are the only creature on this island, you will naturally be the king!”

Moral: Those who lie and boast may end up in trouble.

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Peepal Tree

Scientific Facts and its Religious Significance

 Peepal Tree is considered sacred by the followers of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.It is a very large tree with long life span and it can grows upto 30 metres (98 ft) tall.  Its bark is light grey, smooth and peels in patches. Its heart-shaped leaves have long, tapering tips. The slightest breeze makes them rustle. The fruit is purple when ripe. The Peepal is the earliest-known depicted tree in India: a seal discovered at Mohenjodaro, one of the cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation (c. 3000 BC - 1700 BC), shows the Peepal being worshipped. During the Vedic period, its wood was used to make fire by friction.


Common name: Peepal, Bo tree, bodhi tree, holy tree, scared fig

 • Hindi: पीपल pipal • Manipuri: সনা খোঙনাঙ Sana khongnang • Marathi: पिंपळ pimpal • Tamil: அரசு aracu • Malayalam: arayal • Telugu: బోధిద్రుమము bodhi-drumamu, రావి raavi • Kannada: ಅರಳಿ arali, ಅಶ್ವತ್ಥ ashvattha • Bengali: অশ্বত্থ asbattha •Oriya: aswattha, jari • Konkani: पिंपळ pimpal • Urdu: peepal پیپل • Gujarati: પિપળો piplo • Sanskrit: अश्वत्थ ashwattha, बोधिवृक्ष bodhivriksha, प्लक्ष plaksha 

Botanical name: Ficus religiosa    Family: Moraceae (Mulberry family)


Peepal tree is considered as  Aswatha(the tree of life).The twigs of peepal tree is used for homams.It provokes the functions of the brain, giving peace of mind.The leaves of Peepal tree is very rich in protein and the bark of the tree is used in several native medicinal drugs.

As religious belief many people circle around peepal tree for in need of children.But it is scientifically proved that the air comes from peepal trees cures uterus problems,menstrual cycle related problems.

Ashwatha literally means "Where horses stood" (ashwa + tha).Sage Shankaracharya interprets this tree as representing the the entire cosmos. 'Shwa' in Sanskrit means tomorrow. 'a' indicates negation, and 'tha' means one that stands or remains. He interprets Ashwatha to indicate "One which does not remain the same tomorrow", or the universe itself. 

Ashwatha tree is quite remarkable because it grows both upwards as well as top to bottom. The branches themselves morph into roots, so even if the original tree decays and perishes, its branches underneath are young and continue to enclose the parent. 

This eternal life of the the Peepal tree has inspired many Indian philosophers and Hindu thought. 

Great Stories behind Peepal Tree

The Brahma Purana and the Padma Purana, relate how once, when the demons defeated the gods, Vishnu hid in the peepal. Therefore spontaneous worship to Vishnu can be offered to a peepal without needing his image or temple. The Skanda Purana Peepal Tree also considers the peepal a symbol of Vishnu. He is believed to have been born under this tree. 

Some believe that the tree houses the Trimurti, the roots being Brahma, the trunk Vishnu and the leaves Shiva and worship the tree as Ashvatha virutcham. The gods are said to hold their councils under this tree and so it is associated with spiritual understanding. Ashvatha means "hORSE".Once Agnidev turned as horse and hid in the peepal.And so the tree got its name Ashwatha.

The peepal is also closely linked to Krishna. In the Bhagavad Gita, he says: "Among trees, I am the ashvatha." Krishna is believed to have died under this tree, after which the present Kali Yuga is said to have begun. According to the Skanda Purana, if one does not have a son, the peepal should be regarded as one. As long as the tree lives, the family name will continue. To cut down a peepal is considered a sin equivalent to killing a Brahmin, one of the five deadly sins or Panchapataka. According to the Skanda Purana, a person goes to hell for doing so. Some people are particular to touch the Peepal only on a Saturday. The Brahma Purana explains why, saying that Ashvatha and Peepala were two demons who harassed people. Ashvatha would take the form of a peepal and Peepala the form of a Brahmin. The fake Brahmin would advise people to touch the tree, and as soon as they did, Ashvatha would kill them. Later they were both killed by Shani. Because of his influence, it is considered safe to touch the tree on Saturdays. Lakshmi is also believed to inhabit the tree on Saturdays. Therefore it is considered auspicious to worship it then. 

Women ask the tree to bless them with a son tying red thread or red cloth around its trunk or on its branches. On Amavasya, villagers perform a symbolic marriage between the neem and the peepal, which are usually grown near each other. Although this practice is not prescribed by any religious text, there are various beliefs on the significance of 'marrying' these trees. In one such belief, the fruit of the neem represents the Shivalinga and so, the male. The leaf of the peepal represents the yoni, the power of the female. The fruit of the neem is placed on a peepal leaf to depict the Shivalinga, which symbolises creation through sexual union, and so the two trees are 'married'. After the ceremony, villagers circle the trees to rid themselves of their sins.

In Buddhism

The Bodhi Tree at the Mahabodhi Temple. 

The Bodhi tree and the Sri Maha Bodhi propagated from it are famous specimens of Sacred Fig. The known planting date of the tree in Sri Lanka is 288 BC which gives it the oldest verified age for any angiosperm plant.This plant is considered sacred by the followers of Buddhism, and hence the name 'Sacred Fig' was given to it. Siddhartha Gautama is referred to have been sitting underneath a Bo-Tree when he was enlightened (Bodhi), or "awakened" (Buddha). Thus, the Bo-Tree is well-known symbol for happiness, prosperity, longevity and good luck.

According to the Buddha – 'He who worships the Peepal tree will receive the same reward as if he worshiped me in person'. The Peepal tree has its own symbolic meaning of enlightenment and peace.

On new moon day and in karthigai somavaram it is good to circle the tress and worship.In Tamil Nadu,the Snake deity is kept under the tree and worshipped. For infertility and other naga doshas for marriage peepal tree can be worshipped.

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Deepam 2014

Karthigai Deepam is the festival of lamps celebrated in  Tamil Nadu (November – December).It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Karthigai. Different names - Malai deepam,Annamalai deepam,Vishnu deepam,Thirukarthigai. This year, Thiru Karthigai falls on 5th Dec  2014.

Karthigai Deepam -  Stories for Children

Legend of Siva

Once Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma were quarrelling and claiming themselves as "greatest". In order to teach them a lesson, Lord Siva appeared before them and asked them to find out the exact location of his head and his feet. Meanwhile, he transformed himself into a huge pillar of fire. Accordingly Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards. Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into the earth. Even after searching for many years, they were not able to find the ends of the pillar. Accepting their defeat, they prayed to Lord Siva that the blazing pillar should establish itself as a Hill.

Then Lord Shiva takes the form of a jyothi (light of fire) on the hill of Thiruvannamali. Therefore, this festival is also known as Annamalai Deepam. Here, a special torch is lighted every year on the zenith of the hill and it is believed that Lord Shiva's jothi will be visible on this day. 

Legend of Muruga

Karthigai Deepam is celebrated on the full moon day of the Karthigai month which coincides with the Krithigai Star. The month of Karthigai is of special importance to the Tamil people, which derives its name from the star “Krithigai”. It was in this month that Lord Siva created Lord Muruga from his Divine Light. Lord Muruga took the form of six babies in a lake called “Saravana Poigai.” On this day, all his six forms were united by his mother Parvathi, and he became “Arumugan” (the form with six faces). Special pujas are performed for Lord Muruga on this day. Lord Muruga is worshipped as the reigning deity of Tamil Nadu.

Deepam

During this occassion lamps are lit all over the house.The lamps are lit for a happy married life and for the well being of children in the family.

While lighting the lamp (diYa,) it is good to recite this.

"Deepam-jyothi para-brahma Deepam jyothi Janardhanaha Deepo Haratume Papam Sandhyaa deepam namo-stute" 

'I prostrate to the dawn/dusk lamp whose light is Supreme Knowledge which removes the darkness of ignorance and by which all can be achieved. '

Tamil song:

'Vilakke Thiru Vilakke ....... '
விளக்கே ! திருவிளக்கே ! வேந்தன் உடன் பிறப்பே!
ஜோதி மணிவிளக்கே ஸ்ரீதேவி பொன்மணியே
அந்தி விளக்கே அலங்கார நாயகியே
காந்தி விளக்கே காமாக்ஷித் தாயாரே
பசும்பொன் விளக்கு வைத்துப் பஞ்சுத்திரி போட்டுக்
குளம்போல நெய்விட்டுக் கோலமுடன் ஏற்றி வைத்தேன்

ஏற்றினேன் நெய்விளக்கு, எந்தன் குடிவிளங்க
வைத்தேன் திருவிளக்கு மாளிகையும் தான்விளங்க
மாளிகையில் ஜோதியுள்ள மாதாவைக் கண்டுகொண்டேன்

the lamps lit symbolically represent knowledge, victory and peace. Muruga as Kumaraguru is believed to have taught the meaning of ‘OM’ to Lord Shiva. Thus the lamps lit on the day are in remembrance of sharing the ultimate knowledge of ‘OM.’ The knowledge of OM helps in enlightenment and emancipation. 


Another legend associated with Karthigai Deepam is that King Bali surrendered before Lord Vishnu. King Bali attained moksha by surrendering all his wealth and himself before Lord Vishnu. Special offerings made from puffed rice and beaten rice is believed to be due to this legend.


Goddess Umadevi

In another episode, Goddess Umadevi once playfully closed the eyes of her beloved, which plunged the world into darkness. All living beings suffered in the dark. The universal mother felt for her folly and separated herself from her companion. Mother started worshipping Lord Shiva in the form of Linga to absolve herself of this sin and to reunite with him. Lord Vishnu, (or Adi Kesava Perumal, enshrined at Thiruchenkode, a unique Ardhanareeshwara temple) instructed Shakthi on the Kedara Gowri Vratam to be performed to unite with Shiva. 

When she reached Kancheepuram, Lord Shiva ordered her to proceed to Thiruvannamalai and do her penance. Likewise Mother Parvathi did penance at Pavalakundru with the help of Saint Gowthama. 

A demon called Makishasuran disturbed the penance of Mother Parvathi. The Mother took the form of goddess Durga Devi and destroyed him on the full moon day of the Tamil Month of Karthigai during the auspicious period of pradosham. 

LORD SHIVA presented himself in the form of FIRE ATOP THE HILL and merged Goddess Parvathi on the left half of his body. This day of Supreme merger is celebrated as Karthigai Deepam. To commemorate this event, every year during the festival of Annamalai Deepam, Lord Arthanareeswaramurthi presents himself as Jyothi Swaroopa to his devotees.


Choka Panai is burnt in Shiva and Vishnu temples on this day. 

The fire in choka panai symbolises destruction of impurity,bad evil and bad thoughts.It is believed that God destroy the darkness of ignorance and egoism in men and blesses them with the light of wisdom. 

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Lord Rama : Stories for children

Whoever surrenders, Râma accepts

God is so merciful that He will come ten steps towards you, if you but take one step towards Him. Vibhishana , the brother of Râvana, inquired from Hanumânwhether Râma will accept his homage and take him under His protecting shade.


Vibhishana said: "I am the brother of His worst enemy, whom He has vowed to destroy; I am a member of the demonic race; I am unacquainted with the Vedas or Sastras or the rituals of the Âryans". Then Hanumân replied: "O you fool! Do you think He cares for ritual correctitude, or family status or scholarship? If so, how could He accept me, a monkey?" That settled the matter. Vibhishana was assured of grace. 

Lord Rama

When he went to Râma later, He asked the elder monkeys around Him whether He could accept Vibhishana into the fold. Of course, He did not need any counsel from anyone. He was never influenced by others. But, still, just to bring them into the picture, He consulted them and made a pretence of not having made up His mind yet. When Sugriva  said "no", Râmareminded him that he too had come to Him, first, giving up his elder brother! When Lakshmana said that the only treatment he deserved was to be thrown back into Lankâ, Râma said, "Yes! I am resolved to crown him as the emperor of Lankâ, after the demise of Râvana". 


Whoever surrenders, Râma accepts, on the spot, without reservations. When someone suggested that Vibhishana should not be promised a throne, for, Râvana may fall at the feet of the Lord and earn pardon for his iniquity, Râma replied, "In that case, I will hold both hands of Bharata and beg him to make Vibhishana Emperor of Ayodhyâ, our ancestral domain; we both, Bharata and I, will spend our time happily in the forests".

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Lord Krishna :Stories for children

Selfishness will never work in matters relating to God

There is a small story in the Mahâbhârata. With a view to get Krishna on her side,Satyâbhama,  one of his consorts, went to Nârada and requested him to tell her some way, a short-cut by which she can achieve her objective. Nârada knew that Satyâbhama was very selfish and that selfishness will never work in matters relating to God.

Nârada wanted to teach a lesson to Satyâbhama and said he knew of a method which would get Krishna on her side, a ritual in which she gives away her husband as a gift to someone and then buys him back by paying money, equivalent in weight to the weight of the Lord. Nârada said that Krishna will belong solely to Satyâbhama under all circumstances if she went through this ritual. 

Satyâbhama was lured into the plan. Therefore, she did the ritual of gifting Krishna to Nârada and then getting Him back. In one pan of the balance, she made Krishna sit and she put all her jewels in the other pan but it was no match to the weight of Krishna. Nârada saw an excellent opportunity in the situation and told Satyâbhama that since she is not able to give gold needed to equal her husband's weight, he was taking away Krishna and that from that day, Krishna would not belong to her; He would belong to him.
In that situation, Satyâbhama thought of Rukminî and went in search of her. She found her performing Tulasî puja. 

Lord Krishna

Rukminî went with a few Tulasî leaves in her hand. She was astonished to find that Satyâbhamawas trying to outweigh the Lord himself with gold. She knew that this would never be possible. She said that gold will never outweigh God and only God's Name can match Him in weight. Nârada did not agree with this and asked that since Krishna has a form which can be seen, He must be weighed against something which can also be seen. 


Rukminî immediately grasped the situation and she told herself that whether it is fruit, a flower, or a leaf or even a spoon of water, if given in full faith, God will surely respond. If there is any truth in this, she expected Krishna to respond to what she was going to do and in full faith, she placed a Tulasî leaf in the other pan of the balance, uttering the name of Krishna. It is only with affection, love and pure heart that one can get God. She won. 

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Lord Ganesh: Stories for children

Vinayaka - The leader of all

On one occasion, a competition was arranged among the gods for selecting the leader of the games (troops of demigods who are attendants of Siva). Participants had to go round the world quick and come back to the feet of Lord Siva. The gods started off on their own vehicles; the elder son of Siva also enthusiastically entered the competition. He had an elephantine head; his vehicle was a mouse! Therefore, his progress was severely handicapped: He had not proceeded far, when Narada appeared before him and asked him, "Whither are you bound?" The son was very much annoyed; he fell into a rage.

 Lord Ganesh

For, what happened was a bad omen, doubly unpropitious for those going on a journey. It is inauspicious if the first person you come across when you are on a journey is lone Brahmin. Though the foremost among the Brahmins (He was the son of Brahma Himself):, Narada was a bad omen! Again it is a bad omen if you are going somewhere and someone asked, "Whither are you bound?" Narada put him that very question! Nevertheless, Narada was able to assuage his anger. He drew forth from Siva's son the cause of his predicament and his desire to win. Narada consoled him, exhorted him not to yield to despair, and advised him thus: Rama -the name-is the seed from which the gigantic tree called the universe has emanated. So, write the name on the ground, go round it once, and hurry back to Siva, claiming the prize." He did so and returned to his father. When asked how he returned so soon, he related the story of Narada and his advice. Siva appreciated the validity of Narada's counsel; the prize was awarded to the son, who was acclaimed as Gana-pati. (Master of the Ganas) and Vinaayaka (Leader of all).

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The story of Food:Stories for Children

Your Thoughts affect the food you cook:Stories for Children

To purify the mind and the intellect for the correct reflection of the truth, the first caution is in regard to food. Instead, this is a very serious matter of Sadhakas. There lived in Mallur, Mysore State, and a pious Brahmin who was a great scholar. He had an equally pious wife. He was always intent on Puja and Japa Dhyana and was known far and wide for his virtuous character.

 One day, a sanyasin called Nityananda came to his door seeking alms; so, he was happy beyond measure. He invited the monk to take dinner with him the next day so that he might honor him with due hospitality. He hung green festoons over his doors and made elaborate arrangements for the reception. But, at the eleventh hour, physical impurity rendered his wife unfit to prepare food for the honored guest or for any one else. 

Cooking

A neighbour volunteered to cook the meal and she was brought in and introduced into the kitchen. Everything went off well and all were as happy as they could be, under the circumstances. Only, the sanyasin was wrong during meals by an overpowering desire to steal the silver cup, which the host had placed near the plate. 

In spite of his best efforts, the evil idea won and the sanyasin hurried to his abode with the cup hidden in the folds of his robe. He could not sleep that night, for his conscience pricked him so. He felt he had brought disgrace on his Guru and on the Rishis whom he invoked by the mantras he recited. He could not until he ran back into the Brahmin's house and, falling at his feet, restored the article with tears of repentance trickling down his cheeks. Everyone wondered how such a saint could stoop so low. Then someone suggested it might the person who cooked it transmit the fault to the food he ate. 

And when they examined the history of the neighbor thy found that she was an irrepressible thief! The thieving tendency had, by subtle contact, affected the food she prepared. This is the reason why Sadhakas are advised to live on fruits and tubers only, when they reach a certain stage of spiritual achievement.

Lesson for children

Sai Baba

We should partake food with a Sathwic mind. Our ancestors recommended the offering of food to God before partaking. Food so partaken becomes "Prasad" (consecrated offering). Prayer cleanses the food of the three  impurities; caused by the absence of cleanliness of the vessel, cleanliness of the food stuff, and cleanliness in the process of cooking. It is necessary to get rid of these three impurities to purify the food; for, pure food goes into the making of a pure mind. It is not possible to ensure the purity of the cooking process, since we do not know what thoughts rage in the mind of the man who prepares the food. Similarly, we cannot ensure the cleanliness of the food ingredients as we do not know whether it was acquired in a righteous way by the seller who has sold it to us. Hence, it is essential on our part to offer food to God in the form of prayer, so that these three impurities do not afflict our mind. 

Prayer From Bhagavad Gita

Brahmaarpanam Brahma Havir
Brahmaagnau Brahmanaa Hutam
Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam
Brahma Karma Samaadhinaha

Aham Vaishvaanaro Bhutva
Praaninaam Dehamaashritha
Praanaapaana Samaa Yuktaha
Pachaamyannam Chatur Vidam 

Harir Daatha Harir Bhoktha
Harir Annam Prajaapatih
Harir Vipra Shareerastu
Bhoonkte Bhojayathe Harih.

"The food thus offered to God is digested by 'Vaishwanara" in the digestive system. Since God exists in the form of fire as Vaishwanara, He digests the food along with the impurities. So, man will not be affected even if  the impurities enter the food." - Baba

Eating outside food is not avoidable now a days.Recite this food mantra before eating and the food you eat will become prasad and kills all impurities in it.

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