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
chyavanpryash" ? 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

v First pray to Lord for His Grace then Eat food.

v Avoid talking while eating

v Don't eat in hurry.

v Always sit in a proper posture then eat food.

v Eat when you have properly digested previous meal.

v Don't have negative thoughts in your mind while eating.

v Don't watch TV while eating.

v Be cheerful while eating.

v Always thank Lord for His Grace after finishing food.

Dear Sundari,

Real eye opener. Though we know some of these we don not follow because we are interested in getting the latest from the TV and as far as kids their eating habits have become so different. Atleast I personally make my kids to eat lot of raw veggies and fruits. If they are hungry they know where to head....they take a cucumber and eat the same.In my family we all love salads a lot so salads is a must for us and not to forget pachadis.

Maybe seeing TV while eating has to be avoided. Will try the same.

Thanx once again.

Hey that was a thoughful thread. I believe strongly that having a healthy and nutritious food will help us improve our immunity and keep us hale and healthy. Thanks for sharing your valuable thought with loads of vedic information. I should say it was wonderfully packed with all possible dimensions included

Enjoy and eat healthy food......

Dear sunkan mam
a thought for the whole life for all kind of people. you are right now a days children, youngsters and even parents have lost the habit of good eating. eating while watching the tv has become a day today chore in almost every house. your post is an eye opener to all who have lost the good eating habits.

geeth

hi sunkan ,

nice thread. these days everyone eat in front of tv. kids eat only when we put some cartoons. we parents have to be a rolemodel to them

manju

Hi Sunkan,
Excellent thread and it is the need for the hour.
The vedic story is very useful. We have to be conscious of
what we are eating. I was very strict of not putting on TV
while eating. While feeding my kid also, I never put on TV.
But I saw this practice in many families.
I will try to remember and follow many of your points.
Thanks for the post.

Awesome information about eating food.
I liked the concept of HITBUKH, MITHBUKH and RITHBUKH.

Regards.