|
|
|
 |
Brahmaarpanam
Brahma Havir Brahmaagnau Brahmanaa Hutam Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam Brahma Karma Samaadhinaha |
[This
is 24th verse from the 4th chapter of Bhagavad Geetha] The act of offering
is Brahman. The offering itself is Brahman. The offering is done by
Brahman in the sacred fire which is Brahman. He alone attains Brahman
who, in all actions, is fully absorbed in Brahman. (As we chant this
prayer we are offering the different types of food to Brahman). |
Aham
Vaishvaanaro Bhutva Praaninaam Dehamaashritha Praanaapaana Samaa Yuktaha Pachaamyannam Chatur Vidam |
| [This is 14th verse from the 15th chapter of Bhagavad Geetha] This sloka is a sort of acknowledgement and assurance to us from Brahman. "I am Vaishnavara, existing as fire God in the bodies of living beings. Being associated with ingoing (prana) and outgoing (apaana) life breaths, I will digest all the four different types of food (that which we bite and chew; that which we masticate with the tongue; those which we gulp; that which we swallow) and purify them." |
Harir
Daatha Harir Bhoktha Harir Annam Prajaapatih Harir Vipra Shareerastu Bhoonkte Bhojayathe Harih. |
Oh
Lord Hari, You are the food, You are the enjoyer of the food, You are
the giver of food. Therefore, I offer all that I consume at Thy Lotus
Feet. |
Swami's
explanation of this prayer |
We
should partake food with a Sathwic mind. Our ancestors recommended the
offering of food to God before partaking. Food so partaken becomes "Prasad"
(consecrated offering). Prayer cleanses the food of the thre impurities;
caused by the absence of cleanliness of the vessel, cleanliness of the
food stuff, and cleanliness in the process of cooking. It is necessary
to get rid of these three impurities to purify the food; for, pure food
goes into the making of a pure mind. It is not possible to ensure the
purity of the cooking process, since we do not know what thoughts rage
in the mind of the man who prepares the food. Similarly, we cannot ensure
the cleanliness of the food ingredients as we do not know whether it
was acquired in a righteous way by the seller who has sold it to us.
Hence, it is essential on our part to offer food to God in the form
of prayer, so that these three impurities do not afflict our mind. The
prayer: |
Brahmaarpanam
Brahma Havir Brahmaagnau Brahmanaa Hutam Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam Brahma Karma Samaadhinaha Aham Vaishvaanaro Bhutva Praaninaam Dehamaashritha Praanaapaana Samaa Yuktaha Pachaamyannam Chatur Vidam Harir Daatha Harir Bhoktha Harir Annam Prajaapatih Harir Vipra Shareerastu Bhoonkte Bhojayathe Harih. |
"The
food thus offered to God is digested by 'Vaishwanara" in the digestive
system. Since God exists in the form of fire as Vaishwanara, He digests
the food along with the impurities. So, man will not be affected even
i the impurities enter the food." |
-
Baba - Summer Showers in Brindavan 1993 Page 86 |
 |
 |
