July 9,2020

Dharma Sandes’am -11

The Message of Dharma -11

Namaskarams

Last week, we examined how the three basic psychological traits of human beings viz.,
Sattva, Rajas & Tamas transform as Kapha, Vata & Pitta at the physical level during our
lifetime, with their interplay in the days & nights that one spends in the world. Also, their
impact on the foods we choose to eat, leading to peculiar behavioural patterns. And, as to
why our Maharshis have set out detailed regulations governing all the aspects of food -
that are a bit beyond our sensory perceptions. Our Rishis have therefore enjoined that we
should follow these regulations in a way beneficial & conducive to us. They would not stress
on matters that are not germane to our health & mental well-being. We approach our Vedas
& Sastras only this way.

In the last few weeks, we also underscored the fact as to how ‘achara’- a disciplined conduct
is important in the matter of the kind of food, in preparing it, the preparer-the cook, the
vessels that are used, the place where it is prepared-the kitchen etc.

We will now dwell on another aspect, perhaps unique only to our dharma, – i.e., how we
should eat. In these days of the pandemic – the invisible diabolical virus- ‘Corona’ that is
spread by contact or even from the aerosols from the breath or cough from affected
persons falling on us, the government itself is advising social-distancing, abstaining from
shaking hands and such other measures. Our ancestors have said that even the undesirable
thoughts of one person could pollute the people around him.

They therefore warn us to be mindful of whom we eat with. We have had occasion to think

over the saying: (आहारशद्ध

ु ौ सत्त्वशद्धि
ु :) in ‘Chandogya Upanishat’, which proves that different

kinds of foods cause mood swings and behavioural changes in us. Likewise, we also
considered that how our having food with people of different occupations and from which
family circumstances could influence our thought processes. Though the food we eat would
have been prepared with the proper ‘achara’ being observed, the thoughts of our co-diners

in a dining line (called ‘panthi’ in Tamizh derived from the Sanskrit word ‘ पंक्ति:) could also
affect us. We have observed earlier on that our thought processes vary as per the kind of
the food we eat. Also is important our company in the dining line. Even if we happen to eat
food with people of same ‘achara’, their mental make-up could be different under different
circumstances in which they are placed for the time being That may affect others which is
why people labouring under various emotions driven by thoughts of competition, grief,
anger, lust, jealousy, incapacity or inability etc., create such mental vibrations as to affect
their surroundings.

To counter these ill-effects, our S’astras declare that Vaideekas read the ‘TrisuparNa mantra’
even as the food is served at dining lines. In the fourth ‘Pras’na’ of the ‘Taittiriya Upanishat’
a complete ‘anuvAka’ is devoted to this mantra. Like this mantra in Yajurveda, similar
mantras with identical benefits exist in other Vedas as well. These mantras not only sanctify
the atmosphere of unwanted elements in the dining line, but also remove any deficiencies
in the food, as we have earlier on looked at in detail. The mantra says that if anyone with an
extreme merit obtained through harsh penance, is present in the dining line, his power can
invigorate all those in the line who may be lacking in proper ‘achara’ as well as all other

deficiencies in the food. ‘यस्तु व्याकुरुते शब्दं यश्च मीमाम्सतेऽध्वरं । उभौ तौ तु विजानीयात ्

पंक्तिपावनपावनौ। The meaning of this verse is that: The grammarians who can gauge the

purity of the words we use and the Mimamsakas who can guide us correctly in the conduct
of Vedic Yajnas of the wise one who knows and those who perform Yajnas are good guides
like the Mimamsaka experts ,if they also sit in the dining line, can sanctify the dining line as
well as the defects of any Vedic scholar who can recite the Trisuparna’ mantra. As advised
by the Mahaswami of Sri Kanchi Samkara Matha, there is a practice in Veda Pathas’alas that
the students sitting down to eat should recite the name of Mahavishnu ‘Govinda, Govinda’
three times, individually till all of them finish eating. This gives an opportunity to know the
observances we must follow if we are forced to eat food in restaurants and other places
outside of our home. We should follow these observances without fail if we want to attain
‘Chitta S’uddhi’ i.e., purity of thoughts & mind.
-Dharma flourishes