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Is Vaishva Devam mandatory to be performed for the food?

[Shri Ramakanth asked:- Swami, Is Vaishvo Devam mandatory to be performed for the food? Swami, You clearly explained us the meaning of real Yajna and guided us that food shall NOT be burnt in fire. The below Dharma Sutra is said in Paraashara Smrithi ->

అకృత్వా వైశ్వదేవం తు భుంజంతే యే ద్విజాధమాః ।
సర్వే తే నిష్ఫలా జ్ఞేయాః పతంతి నరకే శుచౌ

Will the ones, who don’t perform Vaishvo Devam really go to hell? Please explain the concept behind this Dharma Sutra, Swami.]

Swami replied:- Vaishva means the human world (Viśāṃ narāṇāṃ sambandhi vaiśvam) or the human body taken by soul or God. Devam means God, who has taken the human body as medium to come as human incarnation on this earth. Vaishva Devam means the worship of contemporary human incarnation. I will agree the concept upto a level, which is that homely food is far better than commercial food from the point of good health. But, foolishly extending it to the food to be prepared by own hands is the climax of ignorance. Even the food prepared by wife need not be taken as the aim here. Food prepared by human beings in family houses is pure and good. This only means that the food prepared in business shops like hotels is not very hygienic food. Every truth will be revealed if you use your intelligence in analyzing deeply and for this reason only, the Gita starts with Saamkhya Yoga or Buddhi Yoga (Dadāmi buddhi yogam tam - Gita).

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