The food offered to God should be either made by oneself or prepared by an acceptable person (according to caste etc.) such that one can partake in the Prashaad afterwards. I have previously explained the significance of Prashaad. Shatanand explains here that any other food that is taken will lead to sin and misery. Gautama in Padma Purana explains, ‘Those who eat foods other than Prashaad offered to God and which is prepared in one’s home are entrapped in the hells for seven lifetimes.’ Thus, those who eat Prashaad receive a great wealth of benediction through their act. Indeed, it is written that by partaking in such Prashaad, one receives the Punya (fruits) of performing a hundred thousand million Yagnas.
God has said, ‘Offerings of water, please me immensely - what then needs to be said about offerings of sandalwood, incense, flowers, Divo and various foods?’ Shree Krishna in Bhagwad Gita explains:
Patram Pushpam Falam Toyam Yo Mae Bhaktya Prayachati |
Tadaham Bhaktyupahrutmashrami Prayatatmanaha ||
‘Whomsoever offers Me with true devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or some water, I accept this offering made with devotion by him who is pure of heart.’
God is easily pleased. We only have to make a little effort. He is immensely gratified through offerings of water and therefore it is not necessary that we offer riches - he is simply after our devotion and dedication. He is pleased when one performs Pooja and serves in his temples. He is not after our money, or other material substances - he is merely after our hearts and minds. He does not ask for much, but is willing to give a multitude of wealth and happiness in return. Therefore it is necessary that we display firm faith and devotion in God.
Shatanand then explains the duties of an Atmanivedi Bhakta, as given by God himself: ‘One who has faith in the nectar-like Kathas (religious discourses), who is always chanting my name and singing my praise, who is dedicated in performing Pooja, who is always in my service, who salutes (Vandana) me with all parts of his body (thus showing total surrender), who sees me in all living creatures, who uses all parts of his body in such a way as to please me, whose voice sings only my greatness, who is in the service of my Bhaktas, whose mind is forever dwelling upon me, who is free from all desires or lust, whose wealth is used to please me (through donation) and who is free from mundane happiness; O Uddhava! Such Atmanivedi Bhaktas have nothing more to accomplish - they have achieved all.’
Such people are considered great - comparative to God himself explains the Lord! The Gita further explains: ‘Those who dedicate all actions to me, hold me as their supreme goal, intent on me, worshipping me and meditating upon me; of these whose minds are focused upon me, I become soon their saviour from the ocean of mortal life.’ Also - Tasmat Sarveshu Kaleshu Mamanusmara Yudhya Cha - ‘Therefore, always praise me and fight for me!’
Vishnu Rahasya explains, ‘Even the shortest moment passed devoid of remembrance of Lord Vasudeva is the greatest ruin, the greatest misery and the greatest delusion.’ Narad Purana adds, ‘Those who chant Narayan-Vasudeva definitely reach the heavens.’ Shatanand then explains that God’s name is worthy of chanting in any place (country etc.) and at any time. All have the right to chant regardless of age, purity or level of development. Gods name should be chanted always and everywhere as those who do, never face misery and indeed all their problems or difficulties are overcome instantly.
Offering to God is a sign of love. Just as a mother breast-feeds her young with utmost love and affection, we too can show our fondness and devotion by offering unto the Lord. Offering to God is also a way of saying ‘thank you’ for giving us his support today and all days. It is an appreciation of the fact that God is the true eternal giver and provider for all, without whose support we can be rendered impoverished in an instance. To give is the greatest duty and shows great morality.
In India it is common practice to offer foods to God and to the cows first. The remaining food is then taken by the householders and what is then leftover is given to animals such as dogs etc. roaming the streets and to the poor. This is the greatness of our heritage, which ensures that the less fortunate are always provided for. The cow is most sacred in Hinduism - indeed she is worshipped as she is home to 330 million Devtas. Therefore by offering to the cow we are physically offering to all the Gods and so is comparative to performing a Yagna.
Offering to the poor and needy shows great compassion and is the basis of Dana Dharma. Giving to those less fortunate shows humanity and results in great Punya. Those that forever give are famed like Rantideva and Baliraj, whose kindness and compassion were unsurpassed. By offering to others, we offer to God as the Upanishads say: Atithi Devo Bhava - ‘Thy stranger is God.’
By offering to God, we also help keep one’s eating habits clean. Most of us have the sense that not all things can be offered to God - such as meat, alcohol, onion etc. Therefore by making it a habit of offering to God and then eating, will lead to keeping and preparing only suitable foods in the house such that they can be offered to God. By partaking in God’s Prashaad we are partaking in Punya - another good reason to offer to God first. Indeed, in some Shastras it is written that partaking in Prashaad is better than Upavaas (fasting).
Sahajanand Swami now explains the three modes of nature and their relation to Atmanivedi Bhaktas: