Diet for a Hare Krishna
The Hare Krisha, also known as the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), trace their roots back 5,000 years to the origin of Krishna, although ISKCON itself was organized in 1965 by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. This sect of Hinduism follows one of the strictest vegetarian diets, and promotion of the diet is an important aspect of religious practice. Practitioners view the Hare Krishna diet as creating health in accordance with the principles of Ayurvedic medicine and building a relationship with Krishna.
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Hindu Holy Texts and the Hare Krishna Diet
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According to Hare Krishna cooking expert Adiraja Dasa, the "Bhagavad Gita," a holy text in Hinduism, considers foods to have either quality of goodness, the quality of passion or the quality of ignorance. Hare Krisha dietary rules also draw on 5,000-year-old Ayurvedic texts and medieval Ayurvedic encyclopedias, which also divide foods into three basic categories: sattva, rajas and tamas, in order of descending health. Ayurveda promotes holistic health by achieving balance among the three doshas, which are mind-body forces contained in bodily tissues, each of which corresponds to a food category. This is accomplished through proper diet, exercise and behavior.
Hare Krishna Food Taboos
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Because the "Bhagavad-gita" forbids consumption of substances having the quality of ignorance, Hare Krishna do not consume stimulants like caffeine, drugs or alcohol. Practitioners do not eat beef, poultry, fish and eggs for the same reason. Another reason is that Vedic, Buddhist and other sacred Indian texts see all living beings as having a soul, thus killing and consuming living beings is a sinful act. Hare Krishna also avoid spicy, pungent and sour foods, such as garlic, onions and peppers, because they have the quality of passion.
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Desirable Foods in the Hare Krishna Diet
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In addition to forbidding various foods, Hare Krishna dietary rules promote consumption of certain foods that contribute to physical and spiritual health. According to Harish Johari, author of "Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine," a healthy diet primarily comprises sattvic foods, which are "fresh, juicy, light, unctuous, nourishing, sweet, and tasty." Most fruits, non-root vegetables and many seeds and nuts are sattvic, as are some grains and legumes, if properly prepared. Milk and milk products, such as butter and yogurt, are also sattvic.
Hare Krishna Food Preparation
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The food categories derived from the "Bhagavad Gita," Vedic and other sacred texts are not absolute. Hare Krishna dietary rules also specify that handling, preparation and combination of foods influence their physical and spiritual healthfulness. For example, Adiraja Dasa advises that raw vegetables be eaten separate from all other foods, whereas rice and vegetables can be combined for a well-balanced meal. Likewise, Harish Johari writes extensively about how preparation and storage can change the ayurvedic character of foods.
Other Hare Krishna Dietary Principles
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Hare Krishna dietary rules recommend moderate eating and drinking at all times, as overeating has negative effects on both mind and body, and intake of too much liquid impairs digestion. Experts like Adiraja Dasa further recommend taking meals at specific times of day and at defined intervals, as well as eating with others in a clean and pleasant atmosphere. The Hare Krishna diet also endorses occasional water fasts lasting one to three days.
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References
- Photo Credit Lord Krishna Borth Celebration image by Gopaal Dhussa from Fotolia.com
