Charmavari Na Vai Payam Jatya Viprerna Kenachit |
Palardulasunadyam Cha Tena Bhaksham Na Sarvatha || 186 ||
First and foremost, Shatanand clarifies that this Shloka applies to all and not just Naishtika Brahmcharis. He explains that the use of ‘Jatya’ or Jati signifies the ordinality of this command. Jati in itself here means ‘That Dharma, though eternal, applying to all’, as explained by Nyayamuktavali. Thus none should question whether this Shloka applies to a specific group only, as it applies to all regardless of caste or Ashram.
Firstly one should not drink water or offer water that has been in contact with leather (such as a leather pail used to fetch water from a well). Laghuharit Muni explains, ‘Those that drink water from a public place, water used for bathing or water fetched using a leather pail should purify themselves by performing Vastra Sahit Snaan (bathing with all their clothes on) and then observe a full day fast.’ Water from a public place is considered impure as all persons of all types have access to that water lending to its impurity. In times of emergency, that water may be taken if it falls upon the ground. That water can then be collected from the ground in another vessel and drank as it is then considered to be pure.
Secondly, the items that are termed ‘Durgandhi’ (of bad odour) such as onion, garlic etc. should not be eaten. Note that this commandment applies to all Hindus and not just followers of the Swaminarayan faith, as it is widely documented in many of the mainstream Hindu scriptures. To partake in such things is a sin that is exonerated through Prayaschit. Brihaspati in Prayaschit Kanda explains this: ‘Those that eat Garlic, Kavak (a food termed Rajo Guni), Grunjan (a bulbous root similar to Garlic) and onion, even by accident, should perform Taptakrucha Vrata to cleanse themselves.’ (Note these Vratas are explained extensively in Satsangi Jivan Shastra).
Shatanand explains that the various forms of onion differ through smell, taste and appearance. Sushruta explains ten such forms of onion: ‘Lasana (garlic), Dirga Patra, Pichgandha, Mahaushadh, Palandu (standard onion), Lava, Tarka, Apavarika, Grunjan and Yavaneshta.’
Onion and garlic may however be taken for medicinal purposes, as it is not considered a sin to save oneself from illness. Yagnavalkya explains this, ‘The use of onion/garlic is not forbidden when used as a cure for some illness. But if they partake such substances intentionally then they receive the great sin (Mahapapa) of partaking in alcohol.’
This is as much as Shatanand has written, but there are other reasons for why we should not eat such substances. Many people think that this abstinence is something invented by Lord Swaminarayan and so applies to Swaminarayan followers only - this is not the case.
Dhanvantari, the Acharya of Ayurveda (study of medicine) as well as the Shastra Nigantu explain that eating such substances spoils the mouth making it susceptible to various diseases such as mouth ulcers and syphilis. It also causes the blood in the body to thin. This thinning of the blood can have various repercussions as the blood carries oxygen to all parts of the body and therefore the body becomes weak susceptible to illnesses like thyroid.
Also, those that eat onion tend to become hot tempered due to the nature of such foods. Even the smell is potent which can adversely affect the mind. This unpleasant smell remains in the body for some time making him undesirable to be around. The best reason however for not eating onions is the fact that they are Tamasic by nature. Food is categorised as Satvic, Rasasic, Tamasic or Nirguna (this is being devoid of any quality). Satvic foods may be taken, as they are still pure such as water, vegetables etc. Rajasic foods such as tea, coffee etc. should also not be taken as such foods make a person active and unstable. Tamasic foods such as onions, alcohol and meat should never be taken as they waste away the body and mind. Nirguna foods such as Charanamruta and other food offered to God is considered the best.
Devotees of God should strive to renounce all that is Rajasic and Tamasic and should aim to attain the state of Nirguna where one is able to serve the Lord without any obstacles. Therefore eating Satvic foods that have been offered to God first will instil the best in a person. Those that constantly partake in Rajasic and Tamasic foods will be Rajasic and Tamasic by nature making such a person undesirable, unfocused, unstable and indeed sinful.
I was shocked to hear one day that many people think that this enforcement of non-eating of onions is due to the supposed fact that Lord Swaminarayan was once dining with an onion in his plate. Through some miraculous will of the Gods, the Earth began to shake and the onion fell to the ground. And so, as the fallacy goes, from that day on, all members of the Swaminarayan Sampraday stopped eating onions! What utter rubbish!
The Swaminarayan Sampradai is not some fictitious cult. It is a true Vedic Sampradai that is consistent with the orthodox Sanatan Vedic beliefs. Stories like these are invented so that other people can feel at ease that their partaking of onions is acceptable. Therefore I iterate again that this commandment applies to all that are true Hindus. It is accepted by all true Acharyas, Gurus and leaders of Hinduism and it should be noted that no Hindu temple uses onions or garlic in either ‘Jamarvaars’, ‘Prasada’ or as God’s ‘Thaal’.