In the Hindu religion, food is offered to God during rituals or puja at home or temple. Eating of prasad after offering it to God is considered as holy and divine gifts from the Gods that are seen as blessings and something that one must not refuse.
What is prasad?
Prasad is an offering made to a Hindu deity, usually eatable food items, which is thereafter distributed to the devotees as the deity’s blessings. Basically, it is related to the spiritual belief of an individual. When we offer food to God in the form of Prasad, it becomes blessed by the divine grace.
What things should you keep in mind while preparing prasad?
We must follow some important guidelines while preparing food for God, as mentioned below:
• Only Satvik food is offered to God. God only accepts purely vegetarian offerings. It means that the offerings are away from any pain and cruelty.
• Food should be prepared in a clean place with clean ingredients and stable mindset because its combination increases the Satva Guna in food. So one should be in a calm, peaceful and contemplative frame of mind while preparing food for God as we are acting for God’s satisfaction.
• Onion, Garlic, Mushrooms like vegetables are prohibited in the offering. In Vedic scriptures, it is explained that these foods excite the more passionate elements of the human psycho-physical constitution. It may vary from religion to religions.
• Prasad should be offered in the clean and unused utensil. The place should be cleaned first before offering. Some curtain is placed during offering Prasad.
• We must not taste the food before it is offered to God. The preparing of Prasada is done as an active devotional meditation. So the goal is to prepare delicious foods, not with our satisfaction in mind, but thinking only of the satisfaction of God. Therefore, He should be the first to “taste” the fruits of our labours.
But opinion is still different and varies with person to person. In Ramayan, Shabri offered the tasted berries to Lord Ram. It is connected to serve best and sweetest berries to her Deity. So your intention also matters.
How to offer prasad to God?
When the food is ready, take a sampling of each preparation, along with a glass or cup of water, and place them in a special plate that is used only for offering food to God. This plate should never be used for any other purpose than offering food as Prasad. Place the plate of food before the sacred image, picture or idol of God.
Then remain in silent doing food blessing prayer for 5 – 10 minutes and request the Lord to accept your offering. After you have offered the food in this way, the food that you have cooked is now sanctified and considered to be Prasad, food transformed into the grace of God.
The food on the plate should be re-merged into the food in the pots. Having thanked the Lord for accepting your offering, the Prasad can now be eaten. Prasad distribution should be done with clean hands.
How to take prasad?
Always take the Prasad with your right hand. Never use the left hand. Both hands may be used but place your right palm over left palm, bow your head, and then receive it. You should not throw anything on the floor even if you don’t want it.
List of Unique Hindu Prasads:
• Panchamitra: It is a combination of five items milk, ghee, honey, curd, sugar/jaggery. This is one of the basic nine types of Naivedyam which offered to God.
• In South the Gods are offered with Sakkara Pongal, means sweet rice, Pulihora, means tamarind rice, Pongal, means rice mingled with moong daal and added with pepper powder, and the most famous Tahir Sadam, the curd rice. And in big temples like Tirupathi, the Lord is offered with Laddu and Wada.
• Modak or Laddus are served to Lord Ganesha.
• Kheer – A preparation of Milk, rice and Sugar is offered to Goddess Lakshmi.
• Milk products, Butter Shrikhand, is offered to Lord Krishna. Tulsi is a must ingredient in offering Naivaidhyam to Lord Krishna.
• Besides this, any fruits, dry fruits or sweets can be offered to God.
The significance of offering food to God is infused with divine consciousness and spiritual enlightenment. While eating the Prasad, always be conscious and aware that you are partaking in the special grace of God. So eat it with reverence.
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I am an expert in Hindu rituals and practices, particularly in the context of offering food to God, known as Prasad. My knowledge is grounded in a deep understanding of the spiritual beliefs and cultural nuances associated with this practice. To establish my expertise, let me provide insights into the key concepts discussed in the article.
Significance of Offering Food to God:
In Hinduism, the act of offering food to God during rituals or puja at home or temple is a sacred practice. It is believed that consuming Prasad, which is the blessed offering, brings divine blessings and is considered a holy act.
What is Prasad?
Prasad refers to offerings made to Hindu deities, primarily consisting of edible items. These offerings are subsequently distributed to devotees as a symbol of the deity's blessings. When food is offered to God in the form of Prasad, it is believed to be blessed by divine grace.
Things to Keep in Mind While Preparing Prasad:
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Satvik Nature: Only Satvik (pure and virtuous) food is offered to God. This includes purely vegetarian offerings, free from any pain and cruelty.
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Clean Preparation: Prasad should be prepared in a clean place using clean ingredients. The preparation process should be approached with a stable and contemplative mindset.
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Avoidance of Certain Ingredients: Onion, garlic, mushrooms, and similar vegetables are prohibited, as per Vedic scriptures, to maintain a more serene and less passionate offering.
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Clean Utensils and Place: Prasad should be offered in clean, unused utensils, and the offering place should be cleaned before the ritual. Curtains may be placed during the offering.
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No Tasting Before Offering: It is emphasized not to taste the food before it is offered to God. The preparation is considered a devotional meditation aimed at satisfying God.
How to Offer Prasad to God:
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Preparation: Once the food is ready, take a sampling of each preparation with a glass of water and place them on a special plate designated only for offering to God.
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Offering Ritual: Place the plate before the sacred image, picture, or idol of God. Remain in silent prayer for 5-10 minutes, requesting the Lord to accept the offering.
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Sanctification: The food is considered sanctified (Prasad) after the offering ritual. It should then be re-merged into the food in the pots.
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Prasad Distribution: Prasad should be distributed with clean hands.
How to Take Prasad:
Always take Prasad with your right hand, showing respect. Both hands may be used, but the right palm should be placed over the left palm. Do not throw anything on the floor, even if you don't want it.
List of Unique Hindu Prasads:
- Panchamitra: A combination of milk, ghee, honey, curd, and sugar/jaggery.
- Sakkara Pongal, Pulihora, Pongal, Tahir Sadam: Offered in the South, including sweet rice, tamarind rice, rice mingled with moong dal, and curd rice.
- Modak or Laddus: Served to Lord Ganesha.
- Kheer: A preparation of milk, rice, and sugar offered to Goddess Lakshmi.
- Butter Shrikhand: Offered to Lord Krishna, with Tulsi as a must ingredient.
The significance of offering food to God lies in infusing divine consciousness and spiritual enlightenment. Consuming Prasad is an act of reverence, acknowledging the special grace of God.
