THE HINDU AND BRAHMAN ON RELIGION FOOD

Some people even you may think that food and religion are not closely connected. Well, let me stop you there. Food and religion is quite connected that is why in this article we will discuss religion food and how it is closely connected.

An example of religion food is in the religion of Hinduism. Hinduism promoted that their believers eat only vegetables. That is why if you notice people in this religion are vegetarians. According to the religion Hinduism, people should eat to live and the purpose of this life is to attain salvation from God and to seek God. In Hinduism, they group foods into three major types. First is called “Sattvic Food.” Sattvic food, according to their belief increases longevity, health, taste and purity. Second is “Rajasic Foods” and these foods are, let us say, bad for you. Foods that are salty, bitter, hot, sour and having a burning sensation can cause and give you unhappiness and illnesses. Last is “Tamasic Food.” These foods are dry, basically devoid of liquid and juices, foul smelling and foods that are difficult or almost indigestible which also has almost the same effect as the Rajasic Foods. It is in their belief that offering first food to God removes the negative effects of the two last categories of foods.

Another religion is the Brahmanism. Their practice is that, after eating, they clean the place of where they eat, sprinkle water around the plate to cleanse the food contained in it. The next thing they do is drink some water and then offer some water to the “vital breath” namely, prana, apana, vyana, udana and samanaya and finally, they settle in the table and start eating. They believe that doing this chants and mantras will help cleanse the food, clean the throat and get rid of the desire to overeat.

Of course, every other religion has its own, let us say, chants before eating. But one thing is common. It is advised and what is should be is that we all pray before we eat and, to point out again, that applies to all of us. Still, let us respect how each other religion food vary it is of course Faith that counts.