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Bhojan Mantra
Bhojan Mantra in Sanskrit to express gratitude for their meal. This mantra before eating food is not just a tradition but a way to acknowledge nature, the farmers, and the divine energy that nourishes us.
The Bhojan Mantra in Sanskrit with meaning in Hindi helps children and adults understand its significance. It reminds us that food is sacred and should be consumed with respect. Many schools encourage students to learn the Bhojan Mantra in school, ensuring that they develop a habit of expressing gratitude before meals.
For those who do not understand Sanskrit, the Bhojan Mantra in English provides a simple way to follow this tradition. Reciting a shlok before eating is a common practice in Indian culture, emphasizing the importance of mindful eating. Saying a mantra before eating purifies the food and helps in developing a positive mindset. By incorporating this practice into daily life, one can cultivate gratitude, mindfulness, and respect for food.
What is Bhojan Mantra?
The Bhojan Mantra is a sacred chant recited before eating food to express gratitude. It is commonly recited in Sanskrit, but people also learn the Bhojan Mantra in Hindi or Bhojan Mantra in English for better understanding. This practice is widely followed in homes, temples, and even as part of school traditions, where students recite the Bhojan Mantra in school before meals.
The Bhojan Mantra in Sanskrit comes from ancient scriptures and emphasizes that food is a divine blessing. Many people prefer to learn the Bhojan Mantra in Sanskrit with meaning in Hindi to understand its significance and connect deeply with its message. Saying a mantra before eating food purifies the mind and helps cultivate gratitude for nature, farmers, and all those who contribute to providing food.
This tradition of chanting a shlok before eating is an essential part of Indian culture.
Bhojan Mantra Rules
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Cleanliness Before Eating
Before having food, one must wash five parts of the body—two hands, two feet, and the mouth—properly to maintain hygiene and purity. -
Expressing Gratitude
Before eating, one should offer prayers to Annapurna Mata and the food deity to express gratitude. It is also important to pray that all hungry beings receive food. -
Purity in Cooking
The person cooking food should bathe and maintain a pure mind while preparing meals. It is recommended to chant mantras while cooking and first set aside three rotis for a cow, a dog, and a crow. Additionally, food should be first offered to Agni Dev (Fire God) before serving it to family members. -
Eating Together
Meals should be eaten together in the kitchen or dining area with all family members. Eating separately can weaken family bonds, while sharing meals strengthens love and unity among family members. -
Right Time to Eat
According to tradition, food should be eaten twice a day—morning and evening—as digestion is strongest two hours after sunrise and up to two and a half hours before sunset. A person who eats once a day is considered a yogi, while eating twice a day is normal. -
Traditional Saying About Meals
A well-known saying advises:- Eat breakfast yourself
- Share your lunch with others
- Give your dinner to your enemy
This highlights the importance of consuming lighter meals at night for good health.
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Proper Direction While Eating
- Always face east or north while eating for good health and energy.
- Eating facing south is believed to attract negative energy.
- Eating facing west is said to increase health issues.
Bhojan Mantra in Sanskrit
Chanting the Bhojan Mantra in Sanskrit before meals purifies the food and mind. This ancient practice connects us with our cultural roots and promotes mindfulness while eating.
मंत्र 1:
अन्नं ब्रह्म रसो विष्णुः भुक्तं शिवमयं भवेत्।
भोजनं च यथा कार्यं तथा कार्यं हरिप्रिये॥
अर्थ:
यह मंत्र बताता है कि अन्न ब्रह्म स्वरूप है, इसका रस विष्णु है और इसे ग्रहण करना शिवतत्व को प्राप्त करना है। हमें इसे आदरपूर्वक ग्रहण करना चाहिए।
मंत्र 2:
ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविः ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्।
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्म समाधिना॥
अर्थ:
यह मंत्र हमें यह सिखाता है कि भोजन भी ईश्वर को समर्पित एक पवित्र कर्म है और इसे आदरपूर्वक ग्रहण करना चाहिए।
मंत्र 3:
अग्निरन्नं, अग्निरनं, अग्निर्मे सर्वं समर्पयेत्।
शुद्धं भोजनं, प्रसीद परमात्मन्॥
Meaning:
This mantra is an offering of food to Agni (fire deity) before eating, ensuring that it is pure and blessed.
Bhojan Mantra in Hindi
Reciting the Bhojan Mantra in Hindi helps children and elders understand its meaning clearly. This prayer before meals promotes gratitude and respect for the food we eat.
मंत्र 1:
अन्नदाता सुखी भव
अर्थ:
इस मंत्र का अर्थ है कि जो हमें भोजन देते हैं, वे सदैव सुखी रहें। यह हमें भोजन के प्रति कृतज्ञता सिखाता है।
मंत्र 2:
अन्नपूर्णे सदा पूर्णे, शंकर प्राण वल्लभे।
ज्ञान वैराग्य सिद्ध्यर्थं, भिक्षां देहि च पार्वती॥
अर्थ:
This mantra is a prayer to Goddess Annapurna, asking for food as well as knowledge and detachment, leading to spiritual growth.
Bhojan Mantra in English
For those who do not know Sanskrit, the Bhojan Mantra in English makes it easy to follow the tradition. It helps in expressing thanks before eating food in a simple and meaningful way.
Mantra 1:
“Bless this food, O Lord, and may it nourish our body and soul.”
Meaning:
This mantra is a simple way to thank God for providing food and ask for good health.
Mantra 2:
“Dear Lord, bless this food we take,
Give it strength to nourish us,
So we may serve You in kindness and love.”
Meaning:
This simple English prayer expresses gratitude to God for providing food and asks for strength to do good deeds.
Bhojan Mantra in School
Many schools encourage students to recite the Bhojan Mantra in school before meals. It instills values of gratitude, discipline, and respect for food from a young age.
मंत्र:
अन्नपूर्णे सदा पूर्णे, शंकर प्राण वल्लभे।
ज्ञान वैराग्य सिद्ध्यर्थं, भिक्षां देहि च पार्वती॥
अर्थ:
यह मंत्र माता अन्नपूर्णा से प्रार्थना करता है कि वे हमें ज्ञान और भक्ति का आशीर्वाद दें, साथ ही भोजन का सम्मान करना सिखाएं।
Bhojan Mantra in Sanskrit with Meaning in Hindi
Understanding the Bhojan Mantra in Sanskrit with meaning in Hindi helps in grasping its deep significance. It teaches that food is a divine blessing and should be consumed with respect.
मंत्र:
अन्नं ब्रह्म रसो विष्णुः भुक्तं शिवमयं भवेत्।
भोजनं च यथा कार्यं तथा कार्यं हरिप्रिये॥
अर्थ:
यह मंत्र बताता है कि अन्न ब्रह्म स्वरूप है, इसका रस विष्णु है और इसे ग्रहण करना शिवतत्व को प्राप्त करना है। हमें इसे आदरपूर्वक ग्रहण करना चाहिए।
Importance of Bhojan Mantra
The Bhojan Mantra is a way to express gratitude before eating food. It reminds us that food is a blessing and should be respected.
- Gratitude for Food – Saying the Bhojan Mantra before eating food helps us thank nature, farmers, and the divine for our meals.
- Purifies Food and Mind – Chanting a shlok before eating is believed to remove negative energies and bring positivity.
- Encourages Mindful Eating – Reciting the Bhojan Mantra in school or at home helps in eating with focus and appreciation.
- Connects with Culture – Understanding the Bhojan Mantra in Sanskrit with meaning in Hindi helps in learning traditional values.
- Brings Family Together – Saying a mantra before eating with family promotes unity and discipline.
FAQs on Bhojan Mantra
What is the Bhojan Mantra and why is it recited before eating?
The Bhojan Mantra is a sacred chant recited before meals to express gratitude for food. It purifies the mind, acknowledges the efforts of nature and farmers, and reminds us to consume food with respect and mindfulness.
Why do schools teach the Bhojan Mantra in school?
Many schools encourage students to recite the Bhojan Mantra in school to instill values of gratitude and discipline. It helps children understand the importance of food, avoid wastage, and develop a mindful eating habit from a young age.
Can I recite the Bhojan Mantra in English if I don’t know Sanskrit?
Yes, the Bhojan Mantra in English is a great way to practice gratitude before eating. It allows those unfamiliar with Sanskrit to understand the meaning and still follow the tradition in a simple way.
Is there a specific direction to face while chanting the Bhojan Mantra?
Yes, it is traditionally advised to face east or north while eating, as it is believed to enhance digestion and energy. Eating facing south is considered inauspicious, while eating facing west is believed to increase health issues.
