CELEBRATING WORLD FOOD DAY

Today is the World Food Day.  Food , clothing and shelter are the fundamental necessities of living beings.  From the perspective of only sustenance of life of human beings, food is the most important necessity.  Food nourishes the human body.

" शरीरमाद्यं खलु धर्मशास्त्रम्" "Sareeram Aadyam Khalu Dharma-Saadhanam" means, physical body is the only medium for performing daily routines.  Says Kalidasa.  The obvious reason is that practicing daily routines is the ultimate essential activity of human life, having a physical body is extremely important.  For the physical body to remain healthy, the diet has to be nutritious.  Besides being nutritious, if the diet is Satvik food(Sattva-Predominant=Noble quality) too, then it helps in enhancing the Sattva component.  Increase in the Sattva component within the body smoothens the passage to the self-realisation.

सस्यं क्षेत्रगतं प्राहुः सतुषं धान्यमुच्यते।  आमं वितुषमित्युक्तं स्विन्नमन्नमुदाहृतम्।।

Sasyam kshethragatham praahus salthusham dhaanyamuchyathe ॥

Aamam vithushamithyuktham svinnam annamudhaahrutham ॥  Says Sabdakalpadruma.  

It means, in farming , the fully grown crop is known as 'Sasyam', with its husk and grain it is called 'Dhaanya', when grain (seed) is separated from the husk, it is called 'Aama' (Raw-grain), when the raw grain is cooked, it is called 'ANNAM' (Food).

अद्यते अस्मै इति अन्नम् - Adyathe Asmai Ithi Annam.  It means, that which is eaten is known as Annam (Food).

अन्नं न निन्द्यात्, तद्व्रतम्। अनन्ं न परिचक्षीत, तद्व्रतम्। Says Taitthireeyopanishad.

It means, Never criticise food, for it is Vratam (Austerity).  Never waste food, for it is Vratam (Austerity).

युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु। युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दु:खहा॥ Says Bhagavad Gita.

It means, Those who are disciplined in eating and recreation, balanced in work, and regulated in sleep, can mitigate all sorrows by practicing Yoga.

आयुः सत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः। रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ৷৷

Such a food which increase age, intelligence, strength, health, happiness and love, who are juicy, smooth & stable and love the mind by nature, liked by the satvik.

समये भोजनं निद्रा समये स्नानमाचरेत् । व्यायाम समये कुर्यात् यमो भीतो भविष्यति 

One should eat at the right time and take a bath at the right time.  Exercise on time and Yama will be afraid.

Thus food is mentioned in scriptures and texts as a precious and most valued wealth for the well being of the humans.

Understand the importance of the food  and  treat it with due respect.