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Chapter 17
An Important Thought Over Food
In the Upanisads, (Parts of different branches of Vedas) it is mentioned 'As is the food, so is the mind'. As the food, a man eats, so is his mind. So a man should eat pure food, because it purifies his mind. The place, seat, scene and atmosphere where he eats, the food should be pure and holy, as these also effect the mind. Moreover, feelings and thought of a cook should be pure, and good.
Before, having a meal, a person should wash both the hands, both the feet and the mouth. He should sit on a clean and pure seat, with his face towards the east or the north. Then he should offer food to the Lord, by reciting verses -"Whosoever offers to Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, that offering of love, of the pure of heart I accept"[1]. After this, he should take a little water, on his palm and reciting a verse, "The act of offering is God, the oblation is God. By God, it is offered into the fire of God. God is verily to be attained by him who always secs God in action"[2], one should drink it. Then, he should put the first morsel of food into his mouth by chanting the name of the Lord. While chewing a morsel, he should recite the sacred mantra (hymn), of sixteen words 'Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare' (or chant the name of his favourite deity), two times. Thus he chews a morsel thirty-two times, because there are sixteen words in the sacred hymn (formula). Thus, the food becomes digestible and nourishing and one remains absorbed, in the adoration of the Lord by chanting His names, which purify, the food.
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