Introduction
Food is a very important thing in the life of all living organisms where human beings are inclusive. Food has to be consumed in a wise manner because its abuse has adverse effects. Some of the adverse effects of not using food in the proper manner include being obese. Different religions have some rules which are adhered to by the followers in regard to consumption of food. One such religion is Hinduism. Hinduism has many sub religions all of which attach different values to consumption to food. This is a brief research paper which examines the important aspects of food in the Hindu religions.
Food in Hinduism
Food in Hinduism is considered a very significant part of life. Actually, it is viewed as a god. Food in Hinduism is treated with a lot of respect because of the role it plays namely: nourishment of the physical, mental and emotional portions of the body. It is commonly known that Hinduism does not allow eating of beef and pork; a cow is a sacred animal and is actually considered a mother (Shouler and Susai 1). There are many rituals which are associated with food eating in Hinduism. Some of the rituals are discussed below:
The first solid food that is given to a child in called samskara. When a person passes away, he/she will be offered food during the funeral rites to enable the departed soul complete the journey to the ancestors. Food has to be eaten in manner that it is worshipped for it is only this way that it will offer strength and vigor otherwise the same food will be a source of destruction of both strength and vigor. There are some rituals which are observed before food is eaten: the place of eating has to be cleaned; water has to be sprinkled around the food accompanied with prayers; and making a food offering (Shouler and Susai 1).
Hinduism texts revere and teach that food must be respected because it is life:
All beings that exist in earth are being born of food. Thereafter they live by food. Again ultimately they go back to it and merge to become food. So verily food is the eldest of all creatures. On that basis food is called the medicine (aushdham ucchyate sarvam) of all. Those who mediate upon Brahman as food will obtain all food. From food are born all being and after being born they grow by food, food is eaten by all beings and in the beings all beings are eaten by food. Therefore food is called annam. (Jayaram 1)
According to Hinduism, the right kind of food has to be eaten; this is because of the role that food plays in a person. The “triple qualities of sattva, rajas and tama” (Jayaram 1) depend on the kind of food that a person consumes and thus this will in turn impact the mind and body. In Hinduism food can be classified into three categories based on their qualities: sattvic food, rajasic food, and tamasic food. Sattvic food is described as “freshly made, juicy, oil, tasty and agreeable” (Jayaram 1); this kind is necessary because it “promotes longevity, purity, strength, health, happiness and cheerfulness” (Jayaram 1). Rajasic food is that which is “bitter, sour, salty, hot and pungent” (Jayaram 1); it is associated with “pain, grief and disease” (Jayaram 1). Lastly, tamasic food is one that is “half cooked, rotten, stored, stale, putrid, left over, half eaten and impure” (Jayaram 1) and such food is associated with “slothfulness, cruelty and evil nature” (Jayaram 1).
A majority of the Hindus do not eat meat. Meat eating is viewed as a bad karma because of its effect on a person at an individual level and on the nation as a whole. At an individual level, it affects the development of spiritual advancement, and at the national level it affects the natural balance and thus delays the earth’s further evolution. It is believed that continued killing of animals for whatever purpose will enhance violence and aggression on the face of the earth (Jayaram 1).
Hindus prefer to eat in groups preferably with family members and relatives; sharing of food is an esteemed value in Hinduism. Fasting also forms part of the eating habit among the Hindus especially during religious events. Offering enough food to visitors is more of a law and is happily observed by Hindus. The poor are also offered food in form of charity.
Conclusion
It has been shown that food is a very significant aspect of the Hindu religions. Food among the Hindus is respected and taken with a lot of care. To the Hindus, food is considered a god because it gives life. When taking food, a number of rituals have to be observed which ensure that positive eating habits are maintained. Ones food should not be a source of pain to another living organism and that is why Hindus are largely vegetarians. Animal killing offsets the natural balance and brings about more suffering on earth and delays further evolution of the earth. Hindus prefer eating with family members and helping others not well off.
Works Cited
Jayaram, Visram. The Concept of Hinduism – Annam, Food. Hindu Website, 2011. Web.
Shouler, Kenneth and Susai, Anthony. Food in Hinduism. Net Places, 2011. Web.