| Shastras forbid the consumption of food and water given
by certain persons. The categories of these persons are documented in scriptures
and include prohibition through caste, country, community and family. Such
food and water should not be taken even though it may be Prasad of the Lord.
However, Lord Swaminarayan says that those prohibitions do not apply at Purushotampuri
(Jaganathpuri). To take such food or water anywhere else results in
a sin called ‘Sankarikarana’ says Vishnusmruti. Such sin results
through killing an animal as well and thus we can realise how important this
directive is. Prayaschit for this sin involves living off water only, for
a period of one month.
It is written that, ‘To obey one’s caste laws results in the strengthening of
one’s Bhakti, Dharma and Gnaan.’ Thus it is extremely important to
obey these laws that apply to a person through his caste. These laws are
here for man’s own benefit, so much so that even ‘Prasad’ is not always pure
generally. Those who disregard these laws can never derive Bhakti, Dharma,
and Gnaan.
The question here arises – ‘Why is Jaganathpuri free from these laws?’ To answer
this question we must realise the greatness of Jaganathpuri and the greatness
of Prasad of Jaganathpuri.
During the installation ceremony of Lord Jaganath, the main thirty-three God’s
came to witness the ceremony. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva were present. During
the ceremony, cooked rice was offered as Prasad to the congregation. However,
in the hustle and bustle of things, much of the Prasad fell to the floor,
not reaching many of the Gods, saints and people. Though the Prasad was on
the floor and crushed by the feet of those present, many picked the cooked
rice from the floor and ate the Prasad.
Lord Shiva also picked some Prasad from the floor and ate it. Lord Brahma who
began to ridicule Shiva, refusing to eat it himself witnessed this. Brahma
then looked towards the idol of Jaganath but could not see it – it had become
invisible to him. He began to question “Where has Lord Jaganath gone?” Shiva
then spoke, “We can all have Darshan (sight of) the Lord, why is it that
you cannot?” Brahma deluded, then came to the conclusion that, “Maybe it
is because I did not partake in Prasad, I did not have faith in the Prasad.”
So saying he picked up some rice from the floor and ate it. Instantly the
vision of Lord Jaganath came to him and so he was finally able to have Darshan
of the Lord.
The Prasad seemed unacceptable to Brahma for the greatness of such Prasad deluded
him. For this reason the Prasad at Jaganathpuri is considered to be prominent
and great and so Rishis have praised it adequately by allowing such Prasad
to be taken regardless of restrictions otherwise. Taking of such Prasad has
great benefit and results in great Punya.
Indeed any Prasad (sanctified food) in accordance with Shastras have great benefits
to those who partake in it. Such blessed food leads to the person who eats
Prasad to be also blessed. Many say that the power of Prasad is beyond comprehension,
deriving Punya equivalent to numerous fasts (Upavaas). Prasad is said
to contain spiritual powers or even miraculous powers and hence the greatness
of Prasad can never be fully praised. It is food or drink that is first offered
to God and then consumed by us and so it is divine food, pure food or sanctified
food. Thus Prasad should never be under estimated as ‘just ordinary food
or drink.’ For such reasons it should be a point for all households, that
they always make offerings to God before they themselves eat in the home as
a family.
I write this because many are unappreciative of Prasad. Many fail to see greatness
and so end up not taking Prasad or even throwing it away and ridiculing it
sometimes. There is a saying, ‘Jevu Ann Tevu Mana’ – The mind is affected
by what you eat. Thus by eating such Prasad, the mind also becomes pure and healthy. |
