The art of eating consists in what we eat as well as how we eat and what is our intention (bhav). Today, we are losing our old values. We eat food while watching television and children don���t know how to respect food (naman prasadam) before eating.

Maharshi Charak has explained it very beautifully how should one eat and what one should eat in a simple manner in one his books.


One day Charak thought that he must observe whether people are following the right track or not. He transformed himself into a bird and went to the market of physicians.

Sitting on a tree, he started speaking in high voice- “Kouruk.” (Who is healthy?)
That means, “who is not a patient?”
Physicians (Vaidhyas) heard the voice of bird.
One Vaidhya answered, “The person who eats chyavanprash?”
Second Vaidhya said, “The person who eats chandraprabhavati.”
Third Vaidhya answered, “The person who eats Siddhamakardhwaja.”
Some one answered, “He who eats lavanbhaskar.”


Charak went to so many places and he questioned everywhere but he couldn’t get the correct answer. At last, a disappointed Charak flew to a lonely place in a jungle. He sat on a branch of a dry tree. A river was flowing there.


Meanwhile renowned Vaidhya Vagbhatt was coming after taking bath in the river. Charak recognised him and asked the same question, “Kouruk.” Vagbhatt stopped there. He saw the bird and said - “Hitbhuk Mitbhuk Ritbhuk.”


After listening it, Maharshi Charak transformed himself into his real form and said, “You are correct Vaidhyaraj.”


Hitbhuk: It means to eat such food, which is good for health. Don’t live for the taste of the tongue. When you live for the taste of tongue, you spoil your stomach and you fall ill.


Mitbhuk: It means to eat in proportionate quantity. Eat good food in sufficient quantity. Excess of everything is injurious to health. If you drink nectar in excess then it becomes poison. If you have the appetite of four chappatis then eat three.


Ritbhuk: Only Hitbhuk doesn’t solve the purpose. If a person wants to go deep spiritually then it is essential that he must be Ritbhuk. Ritbhuk means that the food, which you are eating is acquired through hard earned money not by cheating or bribe etc.


That’s why it is said, “Jaisa khaye anna vaisa hoe mana.”


If you eat the food bought by honest and hard-earned money you would get purity of thought and pure consciousness. When the inner self is pure then divinity would flow and eternal bliss would be there.


That’s why it is said, “Aahar shuddhi sattva shuddhi; sattva shuddho dhruva smrati.”


Always remember:
First pray to the Lord for his grace then eat food.
Avoid talking while eating.
Don’t eat in a hurry.
Always sit in a proper posture then eat food.
Eat when you have properly digested the previous meal.
Don’t have negative thoughts in your mind while eating.
Don’t watch TV while eating.
Be cheerful while eating.
Always thank the Lord for his grace after finishing food.