Posted on: 29 Mar 2023
[Smt. Chhanda asked: Padanamaskaram Swami. In Shruti there is a verse Aaharashuddhou satvashuddhih satvashuddhou Dhruva smritih. I read it in one of the books written by Swami Vivekananda but could not understand the meaning properly. Swami, what is this food that is mentioned here? Is this food for the body or which is taken through the Indriyas? Was there any difference of opinion in Ramanujacharya and Shankaracharya philosophy on this food? I am sure there was not. Kindly enlighten me by explaining it. Always at Your lotus feet my Lord, Chhanda.]
Swami replied:- Food mentioned here is the proper healthy food taken by body. The food taken through senses is the direct food for the mind. Even health science agrees with the link between body and mind and thereby the link between food and mind is also accepted. The food at the gross level taken by mouth and at subtle level taken by other senses have very good influence on the mind. The subtle food taken by the senses pertaining to worldly affairs and spiritual affairs have a lot of direct influence on the mind and the behavior of the soul. There is no difference of opinion on this matter among the three divine preachers.