Food

Updated on February 16, 2021 in Daily rituals and practice

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Shravanan of Swami's Upanyasams 26 0 on October 3, 2020

Namaskaram Svami!

I have been a bhakta for about one and a half years now, and there is also no inclusion of onion and garlic in our food. I also don’t take tea or coffee. But, sadly we are probably the only ones in our Family(my father, my mother and me), who are following several restrictions as far as possible.

Now, if we meet other family members(who eat a lot of junk food and other stuffs), obviously we should avoid the junk food they offer, which at times will be difficult. Also, we don’t have Acharya Sambandham.

How to follow the restrictions with a strong will? I fear in the future I may fall down. Please guide me.

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enpanifan 3 1 on October 4, 2020

Srimate Ramanujaye Namaha!

Namskaaram swami. Glad to read your post.

Swami there are few aspects which can help you in protecting what are you following already (with regards to ahara niyamam)

We can minimize our interaction with others , or fix meetings during evening time when meals can be avoided.
In some situations we can carry our own food , with some extra in case others would like to like to have prasadam as well.
In worst case idli podi and curd rice or simple fruits and milk if taken outside will have minimal negative effect.
In many cases we can cite that we have specific food allergies as well.
The most important aspect is humility for our conduct and compassion for other relatives.- i.e. We were also eating like them and would have continued to do so.. had Perumaal not sent us achaarya / Velukkudi Swami.. so that humility must be always maintained and also compassion for those who do not have such an opportunity.
Second important aspect is shravanam and keerthanam to continue regularly every day.. atleast 30 mins of hearing upanyasams and some specific time for naama sankeertanam and stotra recitation.

The last two aspects will help in protecting what we are following and will also direct us to what we need in future.

Adiyen

Jayassri925 1 on October 5, 2020

That’s correct. When I asked the same question with my teacher he said we can avoid by saying “I have some diet restrictions “. We are not lying as it is also true. So others cannot force us.

கம்பன்தாசன் 1 on October 5, 2020

I am not adding anything new…. I am just emphasising what has already been said by Enpanifan swamy.

When we know we are going to meet some ‘dharma-sangatam’ situation, beforehand pray sincerely to Perumal… “I can foresee a tempting situation; the people I interact are not at fault; they are just expressing their love in the way they know. But I am afraid of my own past tendencies and tastes. Please protect me from falling prey to that”.

With such humble prayer we will definitely be protected somehow or other. But whenever I have had even a slight tinge of pride that I am better than the others, Perumal ensures that I have a terrible fall to realise my foolishness and then by acharyan anugraham He rescues me again.

adiyen dasan.

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Shravanan of Swami's Upanyasams 0 on October 5, 2020

Thank you very much swamis, for responding to my post. I am very much excited to read all your answers and will surely try to follow it.
I am also chanting daily morning and have also started to learn Amalanadhipiran for starting stage.

(P.S.: Adiyen don’t deserve being called a swami, as I am just practicing Bhakti for over a year. Also, I have just joined college, and very much younger.)

Please forgive me if I have said something offensive…

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Srimate Ramanujaye Namaha! 
Namskaaram swami. Glad to read your post. 
Swami there are few aspects which can help you in protecting what are you following already (with regards to ahara niyamam) 
<ol> 
<li>We can minimize our interaction with others , or fix meetings during evening time when meals can be avoided.</li> 
<li>In some situations we can carry our own food , with some extra in case others would like to like to have prasadam as well.</li> 
<li>In worst case idli podi and curd rice or simple fruits and milk if taken outside will have minimal negative effect.</li> 
<li>In many cases we can cite that we have specific food allergies as well.</li> 
<li>The most important aspect is humility for our conduct and compassion for other relatives.- i.e. We were also eating like them and would have continued to do so.. had Perumaal not sent us achaarya / Velukkudi Swami.. so that humility must be always maintained and also compassion for those who do not have such an opportunity.</li> 
<li>Second important aspect is  shravanam and keerthanam to continue regularly every day.. atleast 30 mins of hearing upanyasams and some specific time for naama  sankeertanam and stotra recitation. </li> 
</ol> 
The last two aspects will help in protecting what we are following and will also direct us to what we need in future. 
Adiyen

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கம்பன்தாசன் 1 0 on October 5, 2020

Swamy, Every vaishnava thinks the others have to be addressed with respect as his ‘swamy’; and every vaishnava thinks he does not deserve to be addressed as ‘swamy’. This is an irony we can not avoid at all.

We have to learn to live with it! 🙂

Also, the deepth of one’s devotion is not determined by one’s age or how long one has been practising. Bhaktha Prahalada was a small kid of about 5 years. Similarly for Dhruva…. and many other such devotees.

adiyen dasan.

Shravanan of Swami's Upanyasams 0 on October 5, 2020

Thank you very much for this information Swamy. We indeed have to live on with this irony…

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Shravanan of Swami's Upanyasams 2 0 on October 26, 2020

Namaskaram swami!

I have another doubt, regarding food. Is there a rule which says that the cooked food should be consumed within 4 hours after it’s cooked?

If yes, then why are sweets consumed even after 2 or 3 days?

(Generally speaking sweets take time to harden.)

enpanifan 0 on October 26, 2020

Srimate Ramanujaye Namaha,
Yes swami the reference is from Bhagavat Geeta 17th chapter..10th verse

yāta-yāmaṁ gata-rasaṁ
pūti paryuṣitaṁ ca yat
ucchiṣṭam api cāmedhyaṁ
bhojanaṁ tāmasa-priyam

The translation i referred to translates it as 3 hours..but i am unable to follow both 3 and 4 hours..😊 still at 6 hours..

Regarding sweets, i think addition of ghee prolongs its life and so it should be ok perhaps..i think the above verse is for perishable foods not for pickle, sweets etc..
Not sure about sweets made from sweet rice etc..they may come.under above category.. but when it is prasadam perhaps a devotee will ensure that prasadam is honoured and not wasted and then apply this principle?

Two challenging details to consider..

Your question is very timely as i had to partake yesterdays sweet prasadam today and was a bit hesitant and you have posted the same question here..

Adiyen

Srimate Ramanujaye Namaha, 
Yes swami the reference is from Bhagavat Geeta 17th chapter..10th verse 
 
yāta-yāmaṁ gata-rasaṁ 
pūti paryuṣitaṁ ca yat 
ucchiṣṭam api cāmedhyaṁ 
bhojanaṁ tāmasa-priyam 
 
The translation i referred to translates it as 3 hours..but i am unable to follow both 3 and 4 hours..😊 still at 6 hours.. 
 
Regarding sweets, i think addition of ghee prolongs its life and so it should be ok perhaps..i think the above verse is for perishable foods not for pickle, sweets etc.. 
Not sure about sweets made from sweet rice etc..they may come.under above category.. but when it is prasadam perhaps a devotee will ensure that prasadam is honoured and not wasted and then apply this principle? 
 
Two challenging details to consider.. 
 
Your question is very timely as i had to partake yesterdays sweet prasadam today and was a bit hesitant and you have posted the same question here.. 
 
Adiyen

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Shravanan of Swami's Upanyasams 1 on October 26, 2020

Swami, Even now to some extent we are able to follow this rule. But when, lockdown ends and colleges start, then I have to leave very early from home, as the college is at a very long distance.

So probably I’ll have my lunch, 7-8 hours after the food is cooked. Still, the food would be prasadam….

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கம்பன்தாசன் 1 0 on October 26, 2020

Kinchit En PaNi – App Satsang

https://www.kinchit.org/kinchit-en-pani/good-practices-and-rituals/

En Pani #13

Shravanan of Swami's Upanyasams 0 on October 26, 2020

நன்றி சுவாமி,

அடியேன்.

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enpanifan 9 0 on October 26, 2020

Srimate Ramanujaye Namaha!

Yes Shravan swami, it is a challenging for those studying and working.

I have thought of all possible theoretical solutions for this case, but only some may be possible based on one’s time place and circumstance.

One can have early breakfast before starting from home and then can have early lunch when there is some break for free time and then can have some fruits in late afternoon.( but it may not very ideal from the body’s digestive fire, not sure need to check with a ayurvedic physician)
If the house or college are closer then it can also help either by reducing the travel time or being able to come home for lunch.. but this luxury is very rare except for few.
Finally these college days are only few years, so you can adjust it knowing it is not the best solution, but perhaps we can add on some other additional shravananam/ keerthanam/ kainkaryams in our lifestyle which can help to increase the sattava guna to compensate for the negative effect of consuming food late.

But in future when we choose a job , we can try to see if it can be closer to our place of residence, or if we can find a place of residence near the place of work.

Adiyen

Shravanan of Swami's Upanyasams 0 on October 26, 2020

Thank you very much for the tips swami.

As you said, in work place and study place, the situation is like that these days.

The processes you mentioned in point 3 are the only way to regain sattva gunam.

Adiyen

Seenu 0 on November 30, 2020

Namaskaram,

Are Coffee and Tea should be avoided?

Please clarify.

Thank You.

Adiyen

Shravanan of Swami's Upanyasams 0 on November 30, 2020

Namaskaram Swami,

Yes Coffee/Tea has to be avoided as these things are addictive. We wanted to be addicted to Lord Sri Krishna, rather than these things.

Also in Velukkudi Swami’s own words, our Poorvacharyas never consumed these things…

Adiyen

Seenu 0 on November 30, 2020

Thanks for the reply.

Adiyen

Seenu 0 on November 30, 2020

Namaskaram to all

i forgot to mention this in earlier post,

Since birth, i have not consumed onion/garlic. non-veg etc

BUT since birth i have consumed coffee/tea .

I find it difficult to overcome, its very tempting,

Any suggestions to deal with this?

Thank You.

Adiyen

Shravanan of Swami's Upanyasams 0 on December 1, 2020

Namaskaaram Swami,

There are several tips to overcome this temptation:

1. First of all we must have the mindset that we have to eat only Bhagavan’s prasadam to the maximum extent possible. So in such a case, we all know that tea/coffee cannot be offered to the Lord.

2. Whenever devareer has the thought to consume tea/coffee just try to remember the Lord’s lotus feet in your mind

3. Replace the tea/coffee with drinking pure milk 🥛 offered to the Lord. You may even add some natural mix to it, which is available in the market…

Hope these tips helps devareer

அடியேன்

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Seenu 0 on December 1, 2020

Thank You Swami.

Very helpful.

Adiyen.

enpanifan 0 on December 1, 2020

Srimate Raamanujaye Namaha,

Swami, for those are unfortunately averse to smell or taste of pure milk, can try adding turmeric, cardamom (ellakai), a bit of peper , ginger and cinnamon powder if available. This is not a solution in the higher sense.. as given above by Shravan swami, but can help to overcome the habit of tea and coffee.

(Also the above ingredients help in digesting the milk as well)

Adiyen

A_Acarya_dasa 0 on December 3, 2020

Srimate Ramanujaya Namaha

Seenu swamy to leave Coffee and Tea is not all difficult. I seen after praying to Narayana people, bhagavathas left Alcohol and even mind altering heavy addictive substances. I also knew a Bagavatha who was very much found of Coffee.

Best way is to sincerely surrender and pray for Narayana

I couldn’t suggest tips because I myself have failed after giving so called tips and he again started drinking coffee. He is a nice Bagavatha

Adiyen

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Srimate Ramanujaye Namaha! 
Yes Shravan swami, it is a challenging for those studying and working. 
I have thought of all possible theoretical solutions for this case, but only some may be possible based on one's time place and circumstance. 
<ol> 
<li>One can have early breakfast before starting from home and then can have early lunch when there is some break for free time and then can have some fruits in late afternoon.( but it may not very ideal from the body's digestive fire, not sure need to check with a ayurvedic physician)</li> 
<li>If the house or college are closer then it can also help either by reducing the travel time or being able to come home for lunch.. but this luxury is very rare except for few.</li> 
<li> Finally these college days are only few years, so you can adjust it knowing it is not the best solution, but perhaps we can add on some other additional shravananam/ keerthanam/ kainkaryams in our lifestyle which can help to increase the sattava guna to compensate for the negative effect of consuming food late.</li> 
</ol> 
But in future when we choose a job , we can try to see if it can be closer to our place of residence, or if we can find a place of residence near the place of work. 
Adiyen

Cancel

A_Acarya_dasa 3 0 on December 3, 2020

Srimate Ramujaya Namaha

“How to follow the restrictions with a strong will? I fear in the future I may fall down. Please guide me.”

Been there. I could understand your situation Swamy.

There are 3 ways to follow such restrictions when your family eats onion garlic etc –

1. Experience

Many say Onion Garlic are Tamo gun. But have you experienced it?

Experiential learning is extremely important for Bhagavathas. Once after many years, I ate Onion Garlic, I had sudden differences. I could see how it’s unhealthy for Bhagavathas. It will make a person lazy. so by experience you can have strong will.

2. Others experience

Learning by others experience is what most do. We have read so many incidents when person ate non Krishna or Vishnu Prasadam and had severe reactions

I had also heard in Vrindavan, some Bhajanandi saints, ate food cooked by Non Vaishnava ans had bad experiences. There are many such stories. You find them particularly in Vrindavan.

3. Narayana

Regardless you experienced or heard others experience. Ultimately, sincere prayer and surrendering to Narayana is the only solution.

Adiyen

Seenu 0 on December 3, 2020

Thank You A_Acarya_dasa Swami,

Detailed explanation.

Very Helpful.

Adiyen.

A_Acarya_dasa 0 on December 4, 2020

Srimate Ramanujaya Namaha

No need to say thanks, All is by grace of great Vaishnavas like you seenu swamy

Adiyen

Seenu 0 on December 4, 2020

I am NOT a great Vaishnava, Please dont say like that. There are many real great vaishnavas

I am trying to become one.

Thank you.

Adiyen.

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Srimate Ramujaya Namaha 
 
"How to follow the restrictions with a strong will? I fear in the future I may fall down. Please guide me." 
 
Been there. I could understand your situation Swamy. 
 
There are 3 ways to follow such restrictions when your family eats onion garlic etc - 
 
1. Experience 
 
Many say Onion Garlic are Tamo gun. But have you experienced it? 
 
Experiential learning is extremely important for Bhagavathas. Once after many years, I ate Onion Garlic, I had sudden differences. I could see how it's unhealthy for Bhagavathas. It will make a person lazy. so by experience you can have strong will. 
 
2. Others experience 
 
Learning by others experience is what most do. We have read so many incidents when person ate non Krishna or Vishnu Prasadam and had severe reactions 
 
I had also heard in Vrindavan, some Bhajanandi saints, ate food cooked by Non Vaishnava ans had bad experiences. There are many such stories. You find them particularly in Vrindavan. 
 
3. Narayana 
 
Regardless you experienced or heard others experience. Ultimately, sincere prayer and surrendering to Narayana is the only solution. 
 
Adiyen

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Shravanan of Swami's Upanyasams 0 0 on February 16, 2021

Namskaaram!

Coming back to this thread, I can see how powerless I was a few months ago. In fact, I learnt we just have to have a strong faith on a pure devotee of Sri Krishna, and then there is nothing that can stop us from being a devotee, and also following the regulations.

I have even crossed a lot of “tough” situations in the past few months, and nothing deviated me from following the regulations. If at all I became deviated, it is my fault not others’.

adiyen

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