As we know that there’s something sacred about food. Food is way more than a means of sustenance, food carries warmth, life and love in itself that will definitely help change the comfort meal into something extraordinary. In every culture, food has always been more than nutrition, and it’s an offering, a vivid gesture of affection and an act of devotion. Now, offering the food to the divine god, the ultimate creator of everything, ranging from food to humans, is something you might have observed widely. While offering food to god, we are not just cooking it but partaking in a spiritual ritual that truly links oneself with the eternal.

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Food is the building block of life, and without it, it’s nearly impossible to survive. Yet, before even coming into the world, everything is organised for sustenance, that too mysteriously. Well, the mother’s breast starts lactating even before the baby is born and stops when the baby reaches the stage where he/she can rely on other foods.

In a similar way, fruits, grains, veggies and more are placed perfectly on Earth for humans to carry out day-to-day tasks. The plan offered by the god is something that we include in our menu. Living beings from every walk of life, from a lion in a hunt to a farmer tending his crops, are driven by one prime focus: to feed themselves and their families.

Offering food to God

In our daily lives, we naturally offer food to our loved ones first, be it a sip of tea or a piece of cake; this simple yet wholesome act of service denotes how a particular person matters the most. This human instinct is also mirrored in spiritual life when we offer food to the highest power. It’s all about an act of goodwill, gratitude and love.

Once the food is offered to God before eating, it becomes sacred and is widely known as prasadam, meaning a blessing. This food, now a spiritually potent is believed to carry divine energy which not only purifies the mind but also the soul when consumed.

How does God eat food?

The Gods don’t consume food like we do, and don’t really need a plate or spoon to have food. According to the sacred texts and legends, a glance from the god is enough to bless and accept the offering. Well, it’s important to know that if the meal is simple and sweet, it’s perfect for the divine. It’s not about the lavishness that matters, but the bhava or the feeling when prepared and served. Love, devotion and surrender are something that matters the most. Apart from this, the Indian belief is characterised by three gunas: Sattvik, Rajasik and Tamasic.

What should we offer to god?

Well, an important question arises when we offer food to god, ‘Can we offer anything or something that we eat? The answer is Yes. The meal prepared with purity and good consciousness is enough to impress the Gods. In Indian tradition, the food is characterised by three gunas or modes of nature:

Sattvik: Foods that are considered fresh, nourishing and light, including fruits, veggies, milk and grains, are perfect to elevate the spirit and support the clarity of mind.

Rajasic: Rajasic foods that are spicy, salty or overly stimulating promote restlessness but also lead to irritation as well. Foods that are overly spicy or salty agents must be avoided to survive the day.

Tamasic: Foods that are considered stale, processed, overcooked or generally meat-based are tamasic. For holy offering of food to the Gods, it is important to avoid these dishes which can promote laziness, dullness in the mind and confusion.

It is believed that the sattvik category of the food is offered to the gods, which is prepared in the state of joy, mindfulness and good bhava. Many ancient texts mentioned that the consciousness of the cook also enters the dishes, and if someone is cooking with anger, the dish may carry anxiety.

For those unfamiliar with non-vegetarian food offered to gods, it is important to know that some female goddesses, specifically on special occasions, are offered non-vegetarian dishes like chicken, keema, fish and more. Although it's a common notion that vegetarian food takes the centre stage when it comes to prasad, some of the temples that serve non-veg dishes include Vimala temple, Muniyandi Swami Temple, Tarapith Temple and more.

Food not just affects the physical state, but it also shapes our spiritual and emotional well-being. It’s not just about what we eat, but it’s how and why we eat. The act of offering food to god makes for a great way of elevating our daily meals into a sacred offering. Eating foods offered to the Gods promises to detoxify both body and soul. The food also cleanses past karma and purifies the heart as well.

Power of prasadam

Prasadam is something which is not ordinary. When we eat the prasadam, it satisfies hunger and connects with the highest power as well. Well, happiness and peace begin from within and can’t be outsourced, and what is considered a better way to embrace inner joy is through a sacred meal, which is prepared with extreme devotion and is offered with love and care. When we offer a meal to god, it turns into a blessing or something delicious, which can calm us down with every bite.