Food Is Divine – In Gita Verse 15.14 I am the fire of digestion in the bodies of all living entities, and I join with the air of life, outgoing and incoming, to digest the four kinds of foodstuff.
In the revered Bhagavad Gita, there lies a truth, expressed in verse 15.14, that resonates deeply with the insightful teachings of Ayurveda – “I am the fire of digestion in the bodies of all living entities.” Lord Krishna, speaking as the divine, reminds us that He is present within the transformative flame that metabolises our sustenance, and with each breath, the sacred dance of life and its cessation is choreographed.
The rhythmic breath of Prana ushers in vitality, animating our very being with its celestial vigour. Opposing yet complementary, Apana serves as the guardian of purity, escorting away the discarded remnants of our nourishment. By these forces, the body is maintained in a state of dynamic equilibrium, ensuring that the sacred vessel of our souls remains untainted and light.
Witness the glory of Samana, the harmoniser – the flames that not only consume food but act as a divine furnace. In its embrace, a mere morsel becomes the fuel for the subtle body, transcending the need for excess. The yogis’ secret rests here, in mastery over this digestive fire that bestows unparalleled vitality from the scantest of fare.
Alas, we do not consume fire in our meals, but recognise its invisible presence orchestrating the breakdown of what we ingest. The fire that Krishna personifies is none other than the Existence itself, aglow within us. This sacred fire is sustained by the breath, with air acting as the bellows that fuel this manifest aspect of the divine, a process revered by Ayurveda as the delicate interplay of Prana, Apana, and Samana.
Now, let us delve into the Art of Eating – where each bite becomes a homage to the divine. Eating without presence, without reverence, is akin to dulling the senses, extending one’s cravings beyond the needs. True nourishment transcends the physical; it satiates the soul.
In Hindu culture, the adage “Annam Brahma” – food is divine – is not a mere saying but a principle to live by. Eating then becomes a meditative act, one where deep respect and thankfulness are essential ingredients. This is not about mere sustenance but about an inner balance, a conversation with the body to discern its true needs, and responding with grace and temperance.
Neither obsession with fasting nor an indulgence in feasting serves the temple of our bodies. True balance is achieved when we eat to the point of harmonious tranquillity, where the body remains centred. It is in understanding this equilibrium that we truly honour the gift of food.
Let us transform the act of eating from primal necessity into a celebration of existence. Surround the table with beauty, invite kinship, and infuse the space with the sanctity of togetherness. The art of eating is thus not solely in the material but in the subtlety of our inner alignment.
May we eat with mindfulness, thereby transforming each meal into an existential prayer, a moment to commune with the divine. The practice of conscious eating is a pathway to recognising the omnipresent divinity. Let the presence of Existence envelop us, turning the simple act of nourishing our bodies into a divine communion.
Remember, it is not the quantity of your food that defines spiritual wealth, but the quality of your presence during each sacred act of consumption.
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