Be Vegetarian

By H.H. Sushri Krishna Tripathi Ji

Material science has proven that the choices we make with food directly affects our health. There is a popular saying – we are what we eat – and it is very true. Every cell in this amazing body that God has given us is created and sustained by the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. What we eat nourishes us in so many ways, affecting not only our appearance, but our state of mind, energy levels and general well-being. Some people may wonder what spiritual science says about what food we should eat? Others may question why some spiritual paths advocate a purely vegetarian diet?

Shri Maharaj Ji explained that there are essentially two reasons why a vegetarian diet should be adopted. The first and foremost relates to the mind; the doer of our every action, including our devotion. This mind comprises the same material energy that is found in food. In fact, according to the scriptures, anything material has three inherent qualities – sattva (goodness), rajasa (passion) and tamasa (ignorance). In the context of food, these correlate to pure natural foods, a mixture of pure and unnatural food, and totally impure or unnatural food. The human mind also comprises sattva, rajasa and tamasa.

A part of spiritual practice is to develop the sattvic quality of the mind. By doing so, we develop our inner goodness or inner spiritual potential which is the goal of devotional practice. The food we eat affects this because it comprises these same qualities. When we consume sattvic food it helps to develop the sattvic qualities in our mind, which in turn makes us more alert, focused and peaceful and spiritual. Rajasic food stimulates the rajasic qualities in the mind, manifesting as ambition, greed and an eagerness to enjoy things of this world. Tamasic food promotes dullness of mind, lethargy and apathy. So which food fits into what category?

Vegetarian food falls into the purely sattvic category. When you eat these foods prepared in a healthy way, it improves the sattvic quality of our mind, aiding your spiritual practice. Rajasic foods are vegetarian, but they are deep-fried or overly spiced. Too much salt, too much oil, and chillies turns sattvic food into rajasic food resulting in a restless mind, that is more difficult to focus in meditation. Tamasic food is any kind of meat, even eggs.

It is important to note that the effect on the mind is subtle. Eating meat on its own will not make a person bad. However, if your goal is to increase the good qualities in your mind, then you can speed up your progress by eating sattvic food and avoiding tamasic food altogether.

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*जगद्गुरु श्री कृपालु जी महाराज का संक्षिप्त परिचय *

जगद्गुरु श्री कृपालु जी महाराज को काशी विद्वत् परिषद् द्वारा 14 जनवरी, सन् 1957 में जगद्गुरु की मूल उपाधि से विभूषित किया गया। आपने ‘प्रेम रस मदिरा’, ‘प्रेम रस सिद्धांत’ और ‘राधा गोविन्द गीत’ जैसे अनेक दिव्य ग्रंथों की रचना की है जो संपूर्ण विश्व को भक्ति करने की सही राह दिखा रहे हैं। आपके द्वारा विश्व को दी गई अनमोल धरोहरों में भक्ति धाम मनगढ़ स्थित – भक्ति मंदिर, वृन्दावन धाम स्थित – प्रेम मंदिर और बरसाना धाम स्थित – कीर्ति मंदिर आदि प्रमुख हैं। जगद्गुरु श्री कृपालुजी महाराज ने गरीबों, असहायों और साधु-सन्तों की चिकित्सीय सेवा हेतु अलग-अलग स्थानों पर पूर्णतः निःशुल्क, पूर्ण सुसज्जित चिकित्सालयों की स्थापना की है। प्रथम-जगद्गुरु कृपालु चिकित्सालय, भक्ति धाम- मनगढ़, कुण्डा, जिला-प्रतापगढ़, उ.प्र., द्वितीय- रँगीली महल, बरसाना और तृतीय वृन्दावन, जिला-मथुरा, उ.प्र., जहाँ प्रतिदिन हज़ारों रोगियों को स्वास्थ्य लाभ मिल रहा है। कल्याण एवं परोपकार के उद्देश्य से ही गरीब ग्रामीण बालिकाओं के लिये नर्सरी से लेकर एम.ए., बी.एड. तक की शिक्षा हेतु जगद्गुरु कृपालु महिला महाविद्यालय, कुण्डा, जिला-प्रतापगढ़, उ.प्र. की भी स्थापना की गई है, जहाँ हज़ारों बालिकाओं को पूर्णतः निःशुल्क शिक्षा एवं आर्थिक सहयोग प्रदान किया जा रहा है। अतः ‘जगद्गुरु कृपालु परिषत्’ गरीबों, असहायों की सेवा के लिये सदैव ही समर्पित है और रहेगी।

*A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharajji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (‘Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World’) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957 by ‘Kashi Vidvat Parishad’ (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like ‘Prem Ras Madira’, ‘Prem Ras Siddhant’, and ‘Radha Govind Geet’ to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include  -  Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh,  Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharajji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education.