The rite of sprinkling water drops of sanctified water over and around before eating is Parisecana. The sprinkling of water around before eating in Hinduism combines and symbolically invokes the three powers of water, fire and Surya, the sun god. By being honored through this invocation, the three powers contribute towards the well-being and prosperity of the performer. The mantra for the evening meal is rtam tva satyena parisincami “Order, you are sprinkled around with truth”) and for the daytime is satyam tva rtena parisincami “Truth, you are sprinkled around with order”). (The word ‘Order’ – rta – stands for the eternal order that governs the Universe. These mantras are originally mentioned in Taittiriya Brahmana (11.11.1) in the context of performing the Agnihotra rites which begin in the evening and conclude the following morning. Drops of water received in the palm of the hand are sanctified by the recitation of these mantras and then sprinkled around the food in