In Hinduism, praying before breakfast or any meal is considered an essential way to offer gratitude for the food received, acknowledging the divine source of sustenance. It’s a spiritual practice that connects the individual to the divine energy, purifies the food, and invokes blessings for health and well-being. Below is an expanded guide to performing a simple prayer before breakfast, along with details on which deities are ideal to worship, mantras, rare facts, and relevant traditions.
Ideal Gods and Goddesses for Breakfast Prayers:
- Ganesha - Known as the remover of obstacles, praying to Lord Ganesha before any task, including meals, is essential in Hindu rituals.
- Annapurna - The Goddess of food and nourishment, Annapurna is worshipped for abundant food and blessings.
- Shakumbhari - The Goddess of vegetation and nourishment, often prayed to for health and prosperity.
- Saraswati - Goddess of wisdom, art, and learning, invoking her blessings ensures that the food nourishes both the mind and soul.
- Gopalakrishna - A form of Lord Krishna as a child (Gopala), he represents the playful aspect of the Divine and is connected to the nourishment of cows and milk products.
Simple Breakfast Prayer (Puja Steps)
Cleanse Yourself and the Space:
- Before offering prayers, it's important to wash hands and face as a symbolic gesture of purifying oneself. Ensure that the kitchen and the place where food is being eaten are clean.
Light a Lamp or Incense:
- Light a small lamp (diya) or incense stick to signify the presence of the divine. This also creates a positive and sacred atmosphere.
Offer a Small Portion of Food:
- Place a small portion of the breakfast as an offering to the deity you are praying to. You can place it on a separate plate or bowl and offer it in front of a deity's picture or idol.
Chant Invocations (Prarthana):
- Begin by invoking Lord Ganesha, as he is always worshipped first in any ritual to remove obstacles.
Ganesha Mantra:
- "ॐ गम गणपतये नमः।"
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.
(I bow to Lord Ganesha who removes obstacles and grants success.)
Invoke Annapurna for Nourishment:
- Annapurna Devi is the goddess of food and sustenance, so it is natural to invoke her blessings before a meal.
Annapurna Stotram:
- "अन्नपूर्णा सदापूर्णे शङ्करप्राणवल्लभे।
ज्ञानवैैराग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं भिक्षां देहि च पार्वती॥"
Annapurne Sadapurne Shankara Prana Vallabhe,
Jnana Vairagya Siddhyartham Bhiksham Dehi Cha Parvati.
(O Annapurna, who is forever full, O beloved consort of Lord Shiva, grant me the boon of wisdom and renunciation.)
Invoke Shakumbhari for Health:
- Goddess Shakumbhari is invoked to bless the food with health-giving properties and ensure that it is beneficial to the body.
Shakumbhari Mantra:
- "ॐ शाकम्भर्यै नमः।"
Om Shakambharyai Namah.
(Salutations to Goddess Shakumbhari, the nourisher of all vegetation and greenery.)
Invoke Goddess Saraswati for Wisdom:
- Offering prayers to Saraswati ensures that the food you consume not only nourishes the body but also feeds your mind with wisdom and clarity.
Saraswati Vandana:
- "सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि।
विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा॥"
Sarasvati Namastubhyam Varade Kamarupini,
Vidyarambham Karishyami Siddhir Bhavatu Me Sada.
(O Saraswati, bestower of boons, I start my studies or work with your blessings. May I always be successful.)
Invoke Gopalakrishna for Divine Nourishment:
- Lord Gopalakrishna, a form of Lord Krishna as a child, is invoked for his connection to dairy products, especially milk and butter, which are key elements in Indian diets.
Gopalakrishna Mantra:
- "ॐ श्रीकृष्णाय गोविन्दाय गोपीजनवल्लभाय नमः।"
Om Shri Krishnaya Govindaya Gopijanavallabhaya Namah.
(Salutations to Lord Krishna, protector of cows and beloved of the Gopis.)
Conclude the Prayer with Gratitude:
- Fold your hands and express gratitude for the food received, understanding that it comes from the divine.
Food Blessing Mantra:
- "ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविः ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्।
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्म समाधिना॥"
Brahmarpanam Brahma Havir Brahmagnau Brahmana Hutam,
Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam Brahmakarma Samadhina.
(The act of offering is Brahman (the Supreme), the food offered is Brahman, offered by Brahman in the fire of Brahman. He alone attains Brahman who sees Brahman in every action.)
Prasad Offering:
- After the prayer, offer the first bite of food as Prasad to the deity by symbolically offering it and then eating it as a blessed offering.
Relevant Facts:
Importance of Annapurna: The word “Annapurna” literally means "full of food". In the Hindu tradition, she represents the aspect of Parvati that provides nourishment, and invoking her before a meal ensures that no one remains hungry.
Connection to Nature: Goddess Shakumbhari is considered the provider of all fruits, vegetables, and herbs. According to Hindu mythology, she once provided food and sustenance to the earth during a time of famine by nourishing it with vegetables and herbs.
Food as an Offering: In Hinduism, every meal is viewed as an offering to the divine. Eating is seen as a sacred act where the body is treated like a temple, and the food like a sacred offering.
Food and Sattvic Qualities: Hindu scriptures recommend eating Sattvic (pure) food—simple, healthy, and non-violent (vegetarian) to maintain purity of body and mind. By praying before eating, one elevates the meal to a spiritual offering.
Rare Fact: It is believed that Goddess Annapurna once fed Lord Shiva himself, and thus, the tradition of offering food to the divine and receiving it back as Prasad is rooted in deep mythology.
Praying before breakfast in Hinduism is an enriching tradition that connects the act of eating with spirituality. By invoking deities like Ganesha, Annapurna, Shakumbhari, Saraswati, and Gopalakrishna, one seeks their blessings for nourishment, health, wisdom, and success. Simple prayers, mantras, and offerings make this a sacred ritual that aligns both body and mind with divine energy before starting the day.