Examining the Scientific Wisdom Behind Traditional Nepali Eating Rituals

Every person, family, and community has its own specific customs. Habits or customs passed down within one's lineage or community are called 'sanskar' (tradition/rite). When these 'sanskar' continue for generations across many communities and societies, they evolve into 'sanskriti' (culture). Similarly, a culture that has persisted for a long time is termed 'sabhyata' (civilization). History shows that it takes thousands of years for a 'sanskar' to become a 'sanskriti' and then a 'sabhyata'.

In our families and society, there were and still are certain specific practices as 'sanskar'. Some of these customs have elevated society. If we failed to distinguish between good and bad customs, perhaps we even called our ancestors blind followers! Sometimes we tried not to follow or obey them. We did not explore the inner secrets of why these customs originated. Neither our families nor society explained them to us, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Consequently, many good customs and traditions that were prevalent in society have gradually been abandoned.

Upon deeper understanding, we find that some customs practiced as religious rituals were actually appropriate from a health perspective. There might be many such subjects in our pluralistic society. It is not possible to discuss all of them in one sitting. Therefore, here I am only taking up the simple practices related to meal times.

• What was said and done

Bathe and be clean every day. Perform daily worship, offer water to the Sun and Tulsi (Holy Basil). Eat only after wearing clean clothes. Eat fresh food. Offer a portion of the food to the fire and the earth before eating. Set aside food for cows and birds too. Circle water around the plate before eating. Sip water five times before putting food in your mouth. First, consume 'Panchagas' according to the fingers of your hand. Do not talk while eating. Feed guests, ascetics, and mendicants first, among others.

Let's look at the science within this belief. Praying with a focused mind after bathing in the morning increases devotion towards Brahman or divinity. Devotion makes a person loving. Similarly, offering water to the Sun, the source of immense energy, positively affects one's physical energy. Tulsi is rich in oxygen, so the instruction was to go near it, offer water, worship it, and consume the medicinal Tulsi water.

Doing this was a way to strengthen the vital breath by taking in ample oxygen. Our ancestors continued these practices to become energetic with a feeling of love. They implemented these as they saw them suitable for health and as religious acts.

Perhaps our grandparents bathed because they believed not bathing incurred sin. They avoided stale food because it was considered impure. But they did not enforce that rule on children. They acted as if children were allowed to eat however they pleased. Such leniency led to a lack of cleanliness among children.

If they had understood that stale food has fewer beneficial elements and might contain germs, they probably wouldn't have given it to children either. They did not understand that. They assumed that only adults incurred sin for violating such conduct, while children were above sin and religion. Perhaps that is why the child mortality rate was extremely high back then.

Similarly, there was a custom that married women had to bathe before cooking or eating and should not eat stale food. But it appears all these rules were only for women, children, and Brahmin men, not for others.

Offering food to the earth and fire before eating is certainly an expression of gratitude towards the giver. Setting aside food for cows and birds was likely based on the equal feeling that all beings are children of the same God. This should have been taught to everyone to practice.

Likewise, the reason for not eating stale food is that food must be reheated when it gets cold. Any food might fill the stomach or satisfy the taste buds. However, just any food will not provide the necessary elements for the body. The Rigveda itself states that food cooked and kept for a long time, or reheated multiple times, becomes 'Tamsi' (inert/negative quality).

The society was seen following this scriptural belief. It is said that even reheating food once destroys its original quality. Furthermore, food scientists also say that reheating food repeatedly makes it toxic. Protein, vitamins, magnesium, potassium, iron, etc., are obtained from food. These are the sources of nutrition we need.

Nowadays, there is a trend of keeping food in the refrigerator for many days, believing it won't spoil. Out-of-season and hybrid fruits and vegetables are also available. It is said that such crops yield elements of poison rather than nectar. Therefore, the lack of food necessary for purity in the body, mind, and thoughts is increasing these days. This is causing diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, stress, and depression to become common.

Let's look at the reason for circling water around the plate before eating. This was apparently to prevent ants or other insects from crossing the water line and reaching the food. Even for 'Panchagas', food mixed with ghee, called 'bal' (strength), became easy to eat and also beneficial for health.

The scientific reason for sipping water five times became apparent. Putting food down a dry throat has a risk of choking. Sipping water first lubricates the throat, making it easier to swallow food. Nowadays, except for the elderly, no one is seen doing this practice.

Perhaps because circling water, eating 'Panchagas', and sipping water were considered religious acts, only the head of the household (male) and boys who had recently undergone the sacred thread ceremony were made to do them. Mothers, sisters-in-law, daughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, and adults could also choke. If it were understood that these were for health, this custom would have continued for everyone.

Neither understanding science nor fully adhering to the scriptures. Only the head of the household maintained the tradition to preserve religion. Now, there is a situation where people do not believe such things when mentioned.

Another point is eating without talking. This has a strong scientific reason. Talking while eating splashes food onto others sitting nearby. When eating while talking, attention is diverted from the food, and one does not notice the taste. Attention goes elsewhere instead of the food. One might not even notice how much has been consumed.

This can lead to less secretion of digestive juices and problems like indigestion. This rule of eating without talking was also enforced only on newly initiated boys, that too for only twenty-one days or a month. It was considered merely a part of the initiation ceremony.

In today's supposedly developed society, adherence to this practice is unheard of. Even 'dinner meetings' are organized as discussion forums. Such an advanced culture now seems like a tale from the past.

Previously, it was said to feed guests, ascetics, and mendicants first. In the early days, the arrival of guests was considered an auspicious sign. There used to be discussions in society about on which day, at whose house, and how many people ate. Earlier, donating food was considered the greatest charity. Satisfying another's hunger was considered a great virtue. Hospitality was honored as a duty of service. Nowadays, its importance has faded.

By the time we reach the present day, there was no effort to understand and explain these useful old customs of ours. Consequently, countless of our original traditions were not passed down through generations. Yoga and meditation, born and raised in our Nepal, have now come back as 'Yoga' after traveling abroad. The time has come to be vigilant so that our 'sanskar' and 'sanskriti' do not become the unique property of Western countries.

Therefore, let us embrace the belief that service is religion. Similarly, fresh, pure diet and conduct strengthen the body, mind, and emotions. Fat helps in digesting vegetables and other foods. Food scientists also consider the consumption of a certain amount of pure ghee to be healthy.

Likewise, let us minimize the use of food stored in the refrigerator. Let's plant Tulsi at home. Create gardens. There may be many other prosperous customs introduced by our ancestors. Let us search for and evaluate such original customs and traditions. Let us rebuild a prosperous society by constructing civilization through useful 'sanskar' and 'sanskriti'.

(The author is a trainer at the Life Science Institute)