Our ancestors had a better food safety system; the truth about fire and food that you may not know.

In Hinduism, it was customary to offer food to the fire before consuming it. This practice was associated with devotion and gratitude to God, as well as the purity of the food.

 

Ancient food traditions

 

Indian Vedic traditions, rituals, and rules embody both faith and profound science. There are many traditions associated with Sanatan Dharma that even science bows to today. In Sanatan Dharma, cooking and eating were not simply tasks or a method to satisfy hunger; rather, several rules were followed between cooking and eating. One of these rules is placing food in the fire.

 

You may have noticed that during yagnas, a portion of food is offered into the fire of the havankund (fire pit). However, in ancient times, people would first offer a small portion of the food prepared not only during yagnas but also at home.

 

Even today, many people follow this ritual. Offering food to the fire wasn't just about faith, but also about profound science. Even though our ancestors didn't have degrees, they had established specific rules and methods to combat disease.

The logic behind offering food to the fire

To maintain health, our ancestors always emphasized easily digestible food, pure diet, good conduct, yoga, a good routine, and a healthy mind. Let's explore how and why the tradition of offering food to the fire before consuming it originated in Indian culture. There are many reasons for offering food to the fire. One reason is that by offering a portion of food to the fire, we express our devotion to God.

 

Additionally, in ancient times, the first morsel offered to the fire was considered the body's greatest protection. In the Vedic tradition, offering food first to the fire was not merely a matter of religious tradition or belief, but also of physical safety. It was said that food that was not acceptable to the fire was considered unsuitable for the human body. When offering food to the fire, its color, odor, smoke, and burning reaction were monitored.

 

In modern times, there are many means available for testing everything. However, in ancient times, our ancestors followed the process of placing food in a fire to test it. If the food placed in the fire had an unusual odor or black smoke, it was considered contaminated or unsuitable for consumption. These Vedic systems regarding food teach us that food is not just about taste, but also about energy.