Karma Free Food

2 May , 2014  

karma free food
Preparing karma-free vegetarian food is a devotional focal point in bhakti -yoga. In the Bhagavad-gita Krishna explains, “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water, I will accept it.”
By preparing pure, natural vegetarian food and then offering it to God in a  spirit of devotion, we turn a daily chore into an enjoyable, enlightening experience.‘Offered’ food, called prasadam, is considered to be ‘the mercy of the Lord’ that nourishes the body and transforms the consciousness. Just as an antiseptic vaccine can protect us against an epidemic, eating prasadam protects us from the illusion and influence of the material world. It also vanquishes past sinful reactions and immunizes one from future material contamination.
In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna specifies the types of offerings He accepts: a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water. In essence, this permits only vegetarian food. Vedic culture teaches that all life is sacred and to kill innocent animals unnecessarily is a gross violation of God’s laws. Vegetarianism is also an essential step towards a better society, and people who take the time to consider its advantages will be in the company of Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci, Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Einstein. Vegetarianism makes sense on many levels: health, economics, ethics and religion. It is a natural, healthy and nonviolent way of life that gives rise to self-discipline and compassion.
Therefore Bhakti Cooking- learning how to prepare karma free food and offer it to Krishna is an important part of our Daily Bhakti Practice.

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