670. Annadha

Annam janebhyo dadaati.

She is the one who gives food to all living creatures. Anna means food. As per vedas, earth is the last one to be created among the five elements. Then Divine Mother added fertility to it. Then plants grew from it. This way all the beings got their food. Hence she is called 'Annadha'. 

While performing a yagna, 'Aahutis' are offered to sun god. These Aahutis promote cloud formation and cause rain. This gives enough water for cultivation. That gives food to all of us. This power of sun god is called 'Savitri'. She is a form of Divine Mother

We get eligibility to eat a type of food based on our past karma. We eat only those foods that we are eligible of. 

We discussed previously that there are many species of living creatures. Three qualities are common to all of them. They are: 1. Eating, 2. Sleeping, 3. Reproduction. Humans have an additional quality. That is the power of discretion. Other creatures don't have it. This paves the way for the ability of humans to attain moksha. Hence it is said that a human life is the most precious of all others. Of those humans, being born as a Brahmin is even more precious. Brahmins are those who learn, think and meditate over para-brahma. Their children naturally acquire some part of their knowledge. Hence they possess greater knowledge about para-brahma than others. Such life is useful to all other creatures. Hence it is said that being born as a brahmin is a lucky chance.

Humans are those creatures who have the below characteristics:

7 elements

10 senses

5 Pranas

11 Mental faculties

Total 33

Other creatures don't posses some of these characteristics. As per vedas there are 84 lakhs species. They are classified as below:

Immovable - 20 lakhs

Land animals - 30 lakhs

insects - 11 lakhs

Birds - 10 lakhs

Aquatic animals - 9 lakhs

Maanavulu - 4 lakhs

Total 84 lakhs 

In the natural food chain, creatures with more characteristics eat those with lesser characteristics. 

Vegetarian food is most suitable for humans. These vegetarian foods are subdivided into 'Sattvic', 'Rajasic' and 'Tamasic'. The food we take influences our mind and behavior. Hence one should always eat clean and fresh food only.

Foods that are 'Rajasic' in nature will cause disturbance in mind

Foods that are 'Tamasic' in nature will cause sleep and inactivity

Foods that are 'Sattvic' are best of all of those

The first shloka of 'Esavaasya upanishath' says:

Esavasyamidam sarvam yatkincha jagatyam jagath

Tenatyaktena bhumjeedhah maagridhah kasyaswidh dhanam

Paramatma is everywhere and in everything. This wealth is not everlasting. Stop running after these momentary pleasures. Shun carnal pleasures. Stop thinking about other's money. Earn whatever you want with your own effort. Ensure the effort you put is dharmic. That gives you the required results. Food earned that way is good for you.

Food has 3 types of impurities:

1. Jaati dosham - Impurity by nature. Like onion, garlic etc. They are tamasic
2. Aasraya dosham - Impurity cause due to improper storage. Eg: Milk is sattvic, but when stored in a copper container is becomes tamasic
3. Nimitta dosham - Impurity that comes from the surroundings. Eg: Food cultivated near a gutter or a graveyard etc.