Prasad as an offering to God

There has been too much controversy on prasad recently. The fact is, all Indians revere the food offered to God that is called prasad.

In all homes, the food that is cooked is always offered to the divine and then kept for the members to partake. This is done in most eastern traditions which is why all prasad is also considered hygienic. It is not the cost which matters but the intention of the person who makes the prasad that needs to be sattvic and pure. Devotional hymns are therefore played in the vicinity and fights and disagreements avoided. Is this not a clear indication of the body mind spirit connection that Indians have always recognised? It is time we all recognise this important aspect of food or what Indians call prasad in divine places.

What is important

As we can see, it is believed that it is the bhakti bhava that is important and not the food or offering per se. The divine manifests to us as a result of such sublime devotion. We can see little children giving prasad to all elders irrespective of whether they are known to them or not. Similarly, prasad is distributed to neighbors and coworkers whenever one returns from a place of worship. This is so common that it is one place where everyone stands in queue irrespective of their so-called status. This in a sense, is the true sign of equality that is present all over the nation and is now being followed in the world too.

Let us therefore offer prasad to the divine with a true bhakti bhava without deriding anyone. As the intent is pure, the divine shall surely accept the offering. On the other hand, if the intent is impure the divine shall reject if for sure.

By Jamuna Rangachari