Food – Bhog, Naivedya or Prasad – is an important offering in Hindu religion. Many skeptics ask do gods really eat food. Yes, God really eats food. What is the proof? For a religious person, the proof is his/her experience and scriptures. Sri Krishna has clearly stated in the Bhagavad Gita that He partakes anything that is offered with devotion. It is not the food item that matters but the devotion and love of God. Lord Vitthal of Pandarpur used to come to eat the food offered by Sant Namdev. There are numerous such examples in Hinduism where Bhagavan takes numerous forms to eat what the devotee has offered.
However, Gods are made of fire, air, and ether. They partake the offering through in these form. This is the reason why Fire or Agni was known as the messenger of the gods.
Gods partake the offering through smell, sound, and light.
He who offers to me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, that gift of love I accept as an offering of the pure of heart. (Gita Chapter 9 verse 26)Our body is made of five elements – earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Our foods too are made of five elements.
Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer, whatever you give away, whatever austerities thou do practice, let it all be done, O Arjuna, as an offering to me. (Gita Chapter 9 verse 27)
However, Gods are made of fire, air, and ether. They partake the offering through in these form. This is the reason why Fire or Agni was known as the messenger of the gods.
Gods partake the offering through smell, sound, and light.