happiness in making others happy

It will take just few seconds to read this and
change your thinking..

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same
hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an
hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from
his lungs.

His bed was next to the room's only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on
his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their
homes, their jobs, their involvement in the
military service, where they had been on
vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the
window could sit up, he would pass the time by
describing to his roommate all the things he could
see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those
one hour periods where his world would be
broadened and enlivened by all the activity and
colour of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.

Ducks and swans played on the water while
children sailed their model boats. Young lovers
walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour
and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen
in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in
exquisite details, the man on the other side of
the room would close his eyes and imagine this
picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window
described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band -
he could see it in his mind's eye as the
gentleman by the window portrayed it with
descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring
water for their baths only to find the lifeless body
of the man by the window, who had died
peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital
attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man
asked if he could be moved next to the window.
The nurse was happy to make the switch, and
after making sure he was comfortable, she left
him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one
elbow to take his first look at the real world
outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window
besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have
compelled his deceased roommate who had
described such wonderful things outside this
window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and
could not even see the wall.

She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage
you.'

Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others
happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness
when shared, is doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things
you have that money can't buy.

'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present .'

Why to avoid Tea ???

Chay! Chay!” The calls of tea vendors echo through India’s train stations at any time, whether it be two o’clock in the morning or ten at night. The vendors are always busy selling tea through train windows. Sometimes they climb aboard a train and get off at another station, sure that tea addicts will buy a cup. The voices wake the passengers, reminding them of their daily need, urging them to take a cup of hot tea. “One rupee!” the vendor says.

Drinking tea is not part of our Vedic culture. The British introduced tea in 1834, after they had conquered India.

Once I asked my grandmother, “Dadiji, did you always drink tea?”

“No,” she replied, somewhat embarrassed.

When she was a child, her father, a well-known attorney in town, would not permit tea in the house except to offer British friends. To keep up with the English “sahibs,” however, Indians in the last century have gradually adopted tea as part of our daily lives.

Indian households restricted tea because it is an intoxicant. Even today, the kids are not given tea. They are supposed to drink milk, which is good for them.

The caffeine in tea urges a person to drink tea again and again. I remember traveling in India once on a short bus ride. Halfway through the journey the bus driver had to stop to drink a cup of tea while the passengers waited.

The Vedic scriptures say that intoxication is one of the four pillars of sin. The others are gambling, meat-eating, and illicit sex. We Indians should not have a problem avoiding these sinful activities, but with the influence of Kali-yuga we have become somewhat lax. Most of us know that all of the above are non-religious habits — except when it comes to tea, coffee, or colas.

Devotees do not offer tea to Lord Krishna. Srila Prabhupada wrote in a letter, “Yes, as you have understood, prasadam is offered only from the category of fruits, vegetables, grains, milk products and sugar. This is according to the Bhagavad-gita, wherein Krishna states what He accepts. We have four rules that all my students follow. They do not take any meat, fish, or eggs; no gambling, no intoxicants, including coffee, tea, or cigarettes; and no illicit sex life. Try to follow these four rules, and Krishna will bless you with quick advancement in spiritual life.”

While still in family life, Srila Prabhupada tried unsuccessfully to get his wife and children to give up tea. He once said about his wife, “She was very attached to drinking tea. I was always telling her not to drink tea, because I wanted to have a nice Vaishnava family. So although I was repeatedly telling her, this time [just before he left home] I finally said, ‘You choose between me or tea. Either the tea goes or I go.’ ”

Anything Krishna does not accept, the devotees reject. Eating food not offered to Krishna means bondage in the material world. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita (3.13):

yajna-sistasinah santo
mucyante sarva-kilbisaih
bhunjate te tv agham papa
ye pacanty atma-karanat

“The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin.”

Tea drinking degrades our consciousness. The typical family in India gets up from bed and sips tea, and with tea they either read the newspaper or gossip about mundane affairs. The scriptures recommend that the morning hours are the best time to remember Krishna, perform devotional service, and elevate our consciousness for the day. If we start the day remembering Krishna, the whole day will be spiritual. But if we get up, take tea, and fill ourselves with the rubbish of the material world, we are wasting our valuable morning hours, in which the mode of goodness prevails.

On a recent trip to India I asked people why they drink tea. Most said that tea gives them energy to start the day. Research shows, however, that although tea temporarily increases energy, the body experiences a sudden letdown in activeness after the effect diminishes. The 1983 edition of The Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia says, “The reason for the lift is that caffeine stimulates the central nervous system (brain) and promotes the breakdown of glucogen to glucose in the liver, which raises the blood sugar level. However, the elevation of blood glucose may be short lived. Hence they feel a letdown due to a drop in their blood sugar.”

Tea makes the body like the hare in the race with the tortoise. The stimulation in caffeine makes the body run. Afterwards the body takes a rest because it cannot function without it. When the body depends on its own strength, it gets much farther.

As with many other drugs, caffeine creates dependency in the body. It also robs the body of nutrients. The stimulation of caffeine has long-term effects and has been implicated in cancer, ulcers, birth defects, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

So the question remains how to give up the old habit of drinking tea morning, noon, and night. The only way to cure the addiction for tea is by getting a “higher taste,” a spiritual lift that will counteract the temporary boost one gets with tea.

One gets so much energy serving Krishna that there is no need of a stimulant. Devotees do not use tea, and still they sleep less, serving Krishna energetically throughout the day. The pleasure of bhakti-yoga, or service to Krishna, is thousands of times greater than the stale material happiness of drinking tea.

Chanting is one of the first processes in bhakti-yoga. The holy names of Krishna are nondifferent from Krishna. Pure chanting of Sri Krishna’s names, specifically the maha-mantra, drives out all desires for material sensations. Krishna’s names are like the sun. Any-thing that comes in contact with that sunlight becomes totally pure. So no material desire can stand before Krishna’s holy name.

In the Bhagavad-gita (2.59), Lord Krishna speaks of the need for acquiring a higher taste:

visaya vinivartante
niraharasya dehinah
rasa-varjam raso ‘py asya
param drstva nivartate

“The embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, though the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness.”

Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport, “Unless one is transcendentally situated, it is not possible to cease from sense enjoyment. The process of restriction from sense enjoyment by rules and regulations is something like restricting a diseased person from certain types of eatables. The patient, however, neither likes such restrictions nor loses his taste for eatables. … But one who has tasted the beauty of the Supreme Lord Krishna, in the course of his advancement in Krishna consciousness, no longer has a taste for dead, material things.”

If we artificially restrict ourselves from tea, we will still aspire for that taste. But if someone gives us something better, we will naturally lose our taste for the inferior. If tea gives us a lift, Krishna consciousness gives us unlimited bliss.

By the way, my grandmother has given up drinking tea after fifty-five years. So can you.

Eight Rules for Better Japa

The rules start with basic mechanical arrangements and end with the proper mood and meditation. Anyone who follows these eight rules will surely improve his japa and receive delightful rewards from sri-nama.

 1. Night before-Give up rice and eating heavy foods at night.Take simple foods such as milk and fruits. By eating a light meal you will sleep soundly, rise early without difficulty, and have full energy for attentive japa the next morning. The night before make asankalpa or firm vow: "Tomorrow morning, I will chant with full concentration and sincere feelings."Upon waking, take a full bath or at least wash the mouth, face, hands and feet with cold water before chanting. If you feel sleepy or dull headed, a kirtana with karatals will immediately invigorate the dull mind and purify the enviroment.

 2. Time, Place, Mind-Start chanting very early in the morning, either with devotees, Tulasi-devi, Thakurji, or in a place free from disturbance. Sit before your Deities or Tulasi-devi and chant prayers

 to Sri Guru and the parampara, the six Gosvamis and the Panca-tattva. Remember Thakura Haridasa and pray for his mercy. Pray to the holy name to help you chant with full attention, purely, and free from offenses.If the mind starts "jumping," calm it down by prayer, pranayama, or loud chanting. Sri Caitanya's Sikasastaka is the ideal prayer to recite and reflect upon before and during japa. A very good technique of concentration is to remember the meaning of the third sloka (trnad api sunicena) throughout the japa period.

 3. Chanting Techniques-a) "Sit properly." Yoga sastras proclaim that sitting straight facilitates concentration: "Right posture makes the mind calm." (Tantm-mja-tantra 27,59) "For purification of the body and for success in yoga, posture is absolutely necessary." (Rudm-yamaia-tantm 2.24.38-39) "By the practice of good posture the body becomes disease-free, firm and efficient." (Gmha-yamaia 2.85)

 b) Chant without interruption. Once in Los Angeles, disciples asked Srila Prabhupada what would please him most. "Chant sixteen rounds of japa at one sitting without interruption!" said Srila Prabhupada.

 c) Be careful to clearly and distinctly pronounce the holy names.

 4. Concentration-Collect all thoughts into one; concentrate on the sound vibration.

 5. Control the Mind-a) Pull it back when it wanders. Chanters Beware!!! Yoga sastras say that tamo-guna and sleep usually attack a sadhaka after he has practiced one hour of meditation. In other words, after sitting peacefully and chanting japa for one hour,one should be watchful and check his energy and attention levels. If you feel drowsy or dull headed, then chant loudly to shake off tamo-guna; go outside for a japa walk; drink some cold water and splash some on your face; do sirsasana (headstand) for 2 minutes and 10 rounds of pranayama; or a few stretching exercises. Refreshed and invigorated, sit before Tulasi-devi again and renew your japa meditation.

 b) Cut the tendency to recall events from yesterday, last week or the year before. The bird of the mind flies on two wings: the past and the future. Cut off the wings. Be here now: Hear, chant and remember-love, serve and surrender! "Forget the past that sleeps; and never the future dream at all. Deal with times that are with you, and progress you shall call." (samnagati)

 c) Don't plan today's duties. If the mind persistenly dwells on the "shopping list" or "things to do today", then stop briefly, write down the points, and chant japa with a tranquil mind.

 6. Absorb Four Qualities-try to fill the mind with the four qualities recommended in the third verse of Sri Caitanya's Siksastaka: humility, tolerance, pridelessness and respect for all.

 7. Meditation-while chanting, meditate on the form of Radha-Syama, or the meaning of the holy names revealed by the previous acaryas.

 8. Mood-chant with a feeling of longing for Krsna, hankering for Krsna and crying for Krsna. "This chanting is exactly like the genuine cry of a child for its mother's presence." (SSR) Of course, this should not be done in an artificial way. But rest assured, Sri Krsna will respond to the sincere and helpless cries of a humble devotee chanting with a repentant heart.

- See more at: http://harekrishnajapa.com/eight-rules-for-better-japa/#sthash.ePQlpO31.E1IZwe0c.dpuf

what is detachment ?

Sanyasa does not mean hating this world and leaving home and living in forests. We can never skip any people in this world. Instead, we can live with all these people and just avoid having attachments with them.

What is attachment? If the separation of anyone affects you, that means you have attachments. When you are not affected and stand as you are unoscillated even when you get a very big offer of Prize as well as you lose a very important person. Such an unoscillated mindset is called detachment.

In other words, Accepting all the happenings as it is!

This mindset coupled with chanting Hare Krishna will take you to Goloka. Not just chanting alone. If you sincerely chant regularly without offences, this detached mindset will automatically come. So, chant, but, sincerely without offences.

Sanatan Dharma and it's principles

Sanatana dharma(Our way of life) :: Beautiful Indian culture

Each of the religions of the world has its own culture, with many customs, traditions and refined qualities. The Hindu culture is a culture of love, respect, honoring others and humbling one’s own ego so that the inner nature, which is naturally pure and modest, will shine forth. Here we have described some of the important faith and behaviors of Hindu community.

RESPECT AND REVERENCE

1. RESPECT FOR ELDERS: Respect for elders is a keystone of Hindu culture. This genuine acknowledgment of seniority is demonstrated through endearing customs, such as sitting to the left of elders, bringing gifts on special occasions, not sitting while they are standing, not speaking excessively, not yawning or stretching, not putting one’s opinions forward strongly, not contradicting or arguing, seeking their advice and blessings, giving them first choice in all matters, even serving their food first.

2. NAME PROTOCOL: Younger never uses the proper name of their elders. In the Tamil tradition, a younger brother, for example, refers to his brother as annan, or periannan (older brother), not by name. The elder, however, may use the name of the younger. Children are trained to refer to all adults as auntie or uncle. Only people of the same age will address each other by first name. A Hindu wife never speaks the name of her husband. When referring to him she uses terms such as “my husband,” “him” or, for example, “Athan, Mama, etc.,”.

3. TOUCHING FEET IN RESPECT: One touches the feet of holy men and women in recognition of their great humility and inner attainment. A dancer or a musician touches the feet of his or her teacher before and after each lesson. Children prostrate and touch the feet of their mother and father at festivals and at special times, such as birthdays and before departing on a journey.

4. Darshan (darshana): “Vision, sight.” Seeing the Divine. Beholding, with inner or outer vision, a temple image, Deity, holy person or place, with the desire to inwardly contact and receive the grace and blessings of the venerated being or beings.

5. DAKSHINA: It is tradition to provide dakshina, a monetary fee or gift to a priest given at the completion of any rite. Dakshina is also given to gurus as a token of respect for their spiritual blessings.

Purity

Purity and its opposite, pollution, are vitally important in Hindu culture. Purity is of three forms — purity in mind, speech and body, or thought, word and deed. Purity is the pristine and natural state of the soul. Impurity, or pollution, is the obscuring of this state by adulterating experience and beclouding conceptions.

In daily life, the Hindu strives to protect this innate purity by wise living, following the codes of dharma. This includes harnessing the sexual energies, associating with other virtuous Hindu devotees, never using harsh, angered or indecent language, and keeping a clean and healthy physical body. Here are several ways purity is preserved in Hindu culture.

1.PURITY AND FOOD: Purity is central to food and nutrition, as the nature of one’s nourishment deeply affects the entire physical, mental and emotional nature. One cooking food for others would never taste of the dish from a spoon and then put the spoon back in the pot. If food is to be tasted while cooking, a small portion is placed in the right hand. Similarly, one would not touch the lips to a water vessel that is also used by others. Nor would one offer something to another from which one has taken a bite or a sip.

2. FLOWER OFFERINGS: One does not sniff flowers picked for offering to the Deities; even the smell is for the Gods, not for us. Flowers that fall to the ground should not be offered.

3. OFFERINGS: Offerings, such as an archana basket, flowers or garlands, are carried with both hands on the right side of the body, so as to not be breathed on. All items are washed in preparation and, if carried more than a short distance, wrapped or covered.

4. THE LEFT HAND: In Hindu culture the left hand is considered impure because it is used (with water) in the place of toilet paper for personal hygiene after answering the call of nature. Handing another person anything with the left hand may be considered a subtle insult.

5. SHOES: Shoes are considered impure. The cultured Hindu never wears shoes or sandals inside a temple or shrine, nor in his home or the homes of other Hindus. Carrying shoes in the hands from one part of the premises to another is also avoided. An ultimate insult is to be struck with a shoe.

6. CAUTION WITH FOOTWEAR: It is very important to apologize immediately if one touches someone with his or her shoe or sandal. This is done by touching the right hand to where the foot touched the other person and then touching one’s right hand lightly to his own left eye and then the right. This same remedy applies to inadvertently hitting someone with the hand or foot or bumping into him or her.

EXCHANGE OF PRANA

1. GIVING AND RECEIVING WITH BOTH HANDS: Giving and accepting things from one to another, presenting offerings to the Deity, etc., is most properly done with both hands. The reason for this is that with the gift, prana is also given through both hands, thus endowing more energy to the object. The recipient of the gift receives it with both hands along with the prana from the gracious giver. It is known that this exchange of energies is vital for friendship, harmony and the total release of the gift to the recipient. Hindus never accept gifts from strangers or unknown persons.

2. Hugging and Embracing: Hugging and embracing is found in Hindu culture; but it is restricted to close relatives, Guru/disciples and associates that too in a private place. In Mahabharatha and Ramayana we find this very often. Hugging and Embracing improves pranic energy and this practice is not allowed with strangers.

3. NOT POINTING THE FINGER: Pointing with the forefinger of the right hand or shaking the forefinger in emphasis while talking is never done. This is because the right hand possesses a powerful, aggressive pranic force, and an energy that moves the forces of the world. Pointing the index finger channels that force into a single stream. The harshness of this energy would be severely felt in the nerve system of the recipient. More properly, rather than pointing or shaking the index finger to give direction or emphasize a verbal statement, the entire hand is used as a pointer, with the palm up and the thumb held alongside the forefinger.

4. SHAKING HANDS: The traditional way that Hindu men greet one another is with the anjali mudra, then, with palms still held together, extending their hands to one another, in a two-handed handshake, in a deliberate transfer of prana. The hands of one man, usually the less senior, are gently clasped between the other’s. Each looks smilingly into the other’s face while bowing slightly in humility. This handshake is not firm, but relaxed and gentle.

5. NOT THROWING THINGS: Throwing any object on another person is considered extremely improper, even if the persons know each other very well. Cultured Hindus consider this crude and even mildly violent, even if done in efficiency or jest.

6. CARE IN SITTING: It is improper to sit with one’s legs outstretched toward a temple, shrine or altar, or even toward another person. This is a grave insult. Crossing one leg over the knee when sitting in a chair should be avoided, though crossing at the ankles is permitted. One must always try to follow the example of traditional elders. Worshiping, meditating or sitting in the kneeling pose is not acceptable among Hindus.

7. DOORWAYS: Conversations are not held inside or through doorways. This is considered inauspicious. Similarly, to exchange or give or lend an object, one-steps inside the room first, or the recipient steps out of the room so that both parties are in the same room.

MODESTY

1.MODESTY: Interaction in public between men and women is much more restrained in Hindu culture than in Western culture. In Hindu culture, for the most part, men socialize with men, and women with women. Men never touch women in public unless the lady is very elderly or infirm.

2.DISPLAYING AFFECTION: Married Hindu couples do not hug, hold hands or kiss in public. Even embracing at airports and train stations is considered not wise. Men, however, frequently walk hand in hand.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN

In traditional Hindu culture, women are held in the highest regard — far more respected, in truth, than in the West. But this does not imply the kind of equality or participation in public interactions that are common in the West. The qualities traditionally most admired in a Hindu woman are modesty of manner, shyness and self-effacement. Self-assertive or bold tendencies are regarded with circumspection. Feminine refinements are expressed and protected in many customs, including the following:

1. WOMANLY RESERVE: In mixed company especially in the presence of strangers, a Hindu woman will keep modestly in the background and not participate freely in conversation. This, of course, does not apply to situations among family and close associates.

2. WALKING BEHIND ONE’S HUSBAND: The wife walks a step or two behind her husband, or if walking by his side, a step or two back, always giving him the lead. In the West, the reverse of this is often true.3. SERVING AT MEALS: At meals women follow the custom of serving the men first before enjoying their own meal.

4. CHAPERONING: It is customary for a woman to always be accompanied when she leaves the home. Living alone, too, is unusual.

5. WOMEN IN PUBLIC: Generally it is improper for women to speak with strangers on the street and especially to strike up a casual conversation. Similarly, drinking alcohol or smoking in public, no matter how innocent, are interpreted as a sign of moral laxity and are not acceptable.

GUESTS IN THE HOME

1. HOME VISITS: Close friends can visit one another anytime without being announced or making arrangements first. When they drop in, at least a refreshing drink is always served.

2. HOSTING GUESTS: Children generally leave the room, with a smile, when guests enter. The mother remains close by to serve as needs arise. The father, if present, will speak with the guest. If he is not present, the mother and a mature son will fulfill this role; and if no son is present, the mother may act as hostess, but only with the accompaniment of someone close to the family.

3. WIFE HOME ALONE: If the lady of the house is in home alone and a male visitor comes to see her husband, it is not proper for her to invite him in, nor for him to expect to enter. Rather, he will leave a message and depart.

4. GIVING GIFTS: Gifts are always given when one visits a home or stays overnight as a guest. The value of the gift varies greatly, depending upon circumstances. It is proper to give a separate gift for the wife and the husband. The wife is given the nicest item.

BODY LANGUAGE

All Hindus know that “Life is meant to be lived joyously!” All is God, and God is everywhere and in all things. This understanding and appreciation is exemplified in every aspect of Hindu deportment.

1. KINDLY WORDS AND COUNTENANCE: Hindus strive to keep a pleasant expression on their face, a gentle smile and a kind word for everyone they meet through the day. They know in their heart of hearts that God is everywhere and that all in the universe is perfect at every point in time. This knowledge gives them strength and courage to face their daily karmas positively and graciously.

2. REFINED GESTURES: Hindus know that every movement of the body, the face, hands, eyes, mouth, head, etc., has a meaning. Youth are taught to be sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others in their body language.

Krishna's Mercy

There was once a minister who always said, “Krishna’s mercy” when anything went wrong. This irritated the king no end. When the king’s finger was cut off in an accident, the minister of course said, “Krishna’s mercy!” The King was so angry he put the minister in jail. The minister’s response? “Krishna’s mercy!”

Later while out hunting, the king was captured by a tribe of cannibals. They were preparing him for a human sacrifice - and their supper - when they noticed his missing finger. They let him go in disgust (he was incomplete and therefore un-sacrifice-able). The king thought to himself “Krishna’s mercy” and immediately upon return released the minister from prison.

“I now know why it was Krishna’s mercy for me to have lost my finger. But why was being put in jail mercy for you?” The king asked.

“Were I not in jail, I would have been out hunting with you. And I don’t have a missing finger!” the Minister replied.

Often we, like the king, see Krishna’s mercy only after the fact. 

When things go wrong--and they will--see it as Krishna’s mercy. You may at first feel a bit foolish - how can an obstacle or disappointment be Krishna’s mercy? Be patient and remain open to the message from Krishna and the fact that the changes may indeed be for your betterment in the final analysis. 

Shastriya SwayamPaak Vidhi

SwayamPaak Vidhi!

Food is to be prepared not for self but for naivedya for HARI . even when we or our near dear eat its HARI who eats by being within us . Because VISHNUSAHASRANAAM praises him as BHOKTA ! YAGNYABHUk

So ultimate procedure should be followed to prepare the food for HARI [ and one must not resort to kutarka that HARI desires nothing so anything offered is OKAY and everything offered is OKAY as everything consists of HARI , AGHORAS FEEL BOTH SHUDDHA AND ASHUDDHA ARE HARIdatta , so why look down upon ashuddha ! some even say it should not matter who prepares food , how one prepares food ,what one uses to prepare food as all are creations of HARI , so a pizza burger , etc can also be a naivedya ] We shall see how these cannot become NAIVEDAYA !

Why should we cook for LORD , because , by eating VISHNU naivedya we get rid of sins , those sins that are factors for this samsaara !

We must prepare food with the smarana of HARI all through . WHy ? every work brings some kind of fatigue . But lord who creates this variety of universe does not get fatigue at all , thinking about him  during work removes such fatigue as Lord manifests in such act there arises no fatigue !

Water should be brought with utmost cleanliness [ madi] from river shore or nearest water body [natural] into the house . Then it should be filtered thrice by a muslin cloth or cotton . and poured into a different vessel . This forms the clean water !

Sage VASHISHTHA says “SNIGDHAM PATHYAM TATHA SHUDDHAM SHUBHRAM RUCHYAM MANOHARAM | PAJAYEDODANADYAM TU JAYATE NIYATENDRIYA||”

The food should have six qualities

1. snigdham:- What we eat ? we just don’t eat the food [ the material ] before us . We eat whole lot of other things along with the material food ! the food is not just the dish before us . it is a signature of the personality of the cook ! When we say signature , it comprises about his thought process , his habits , his philosophy , his beliefs , his morality , his ways of living , his emotions towards the diet and the guest forms the entire aura of the food . We have to eat and digest everything of the above ! The aura that comprises the above makes changes to our aura , and food makes changes to the body ! the thought makes changes to our thought ! So food should be well established in sneha [ the quality that introduces snigdhatva ] , one should have bhakti towards the HARI , Anuraag towards the spouse ,vatsalya on the children , and gaurav towards the elders and atithi and abhyagata  and daya towards the dasa and dasi . Thus sneha takes so many forms according to the tartamya of relationship . such a sneha makes the food equal to the nectar amrutam and increases the satvikta among the sajjanas . the food that does not have sneha is akin to poison and brings misfortunes . The sneha leading to snigdhatva is responsible for the amount of ghee and oil that goes into the food and these also contribute to the longevity and health of the one accepting the food . Usually when we eat outside , all such sneha concept is missing .
2. pathyam:- The food should be conducive to health ,nutritional. The ingredients that goes into preparation should follow right proportions and should be in accordance with ayurveda ie. milk should not be mixed with curds , honey should not be mixed with ghee , but we see in some dishes , even onions and garlic are used along with milk , cream is used on  a spicy dishes . these leads to health hazards . stale food , over cooked or half boiled , these cause health complications . Food with non seasonal ingredients in opposite  seasons cause health upsets . Seasons are also hourly as per paaksashtra , so certain foods should not be prepared in evening or midnight . certain foods should not be consumed early morning . so keeping in view all the pathya apathya ,if food is prepared , it brings happiness [moda] to chitta and stability to deha .
3. Shuddham:- when we eat food ,it should give rise to satvik thoughts and increase satvik nature , so shuddha padartha should be used . One must know what are satvik ingredients , what is acceptable what is not , what is prohibited . so a food prepared with only acceptable satvik padarthas and bereft of nishiddha padarthas is known as shuddha . Food has three parts , one that goes to nourish the body , second that nourishes the mind and third is the one that affects the journey of soul . Second part arises out of the vegetables and ingredients used in the food , satvik food gives satvik prachodan , rajasik food gives rajasik prachodan and tamasik food gives tamasik prachodan .
4. Shubhram:- Food should be clean . clean from dirt . Both inner and outer . a cook should not have unclean appearance and cleanliness of thought is very necessary. if the cook in unclean in thoughts so also we get unclean thoughts forcefully after eating the food . This leads to misfortunate events . In the west a survey says , every two minutes people think of kama . so such a person if he prepares food , he induces kama in the person consuming . The level of kama may be not at all within the conducive limits of the consumer , so misfortunes follow . such a food causes temporary ashuddhi and avesha . Similarly hatred , greed and anxiety and jealousy also get induced instantly with such food . Not to speak of ill will and criminal tendencies . .
5. Ruchyam :- the food should be healthy and nutritional we have mentioned , but that does not mean it should taste like  a medicine or kashaya or simple kichadi type without any happiness to taste buds . Food should be a feast to tongue . This would come if the science of cooking is well known , the varieties of dishes , varieties of tastes , and varieties of rasas [ sweet , sour , salty ,chilly , astringent and unripe ] and varieties of herbs and spices and how they should be mixed in what proportion to give great meal . for ex . usually astringent vegetable when fried in butter with right amount of  sour ingredient and chilly instantly turns the preparation into a sweet smelling tasty dish . also The food should not be a tasted one [uchchista ] , this causes further degradation as it gives a share of misfortunes of the cook to consumer . the meal becomes tastier when presented for naivedya with all the mudras like tarkshya , dhenu , parvat  and with a chant of dwadash stotra and Surabhi mantra makes it supernaturally tasty .
6. manoharam :- the food should be feast to eyes and nose and extremely soothing and exhilarating to mind . Food should not only be pleasant while eating but should be pleasant even after eating . This feeling of well being should remain throughout the day . How is this possible ? this is possible by using good quality of products , second good presentation skill ie. seasoning  and garnishing and decorating . The aroma plays a very important role in seasoning  and garnishing . The food is usually prepared and then a [poogapatta – a special cloth ] is filled with aromatic substances like karpoora , patola , kesari , nagkesar etc sometimes fruits like bijora neembu ,oranges or flowers like champa , kevada etc are used in different poogapatta and then the netra of this patta is closed around the food and hot ghee is poured . This renders excellent aroma to the food . when we mention quality , quality also includes the quality of dravya , ie the money that has been used to purchase these products . The money earned if it is not of sanmarga or from a sat-swamy [ boss/organization] or sadvritti then the sins of swamy will come along with dushta dravya , this enters the food too . Suppose one is very sensitive towards a concept called failure in love divorce or separation from spouse or parents etc . And resolves to be a good spouse , lover or child . But suddenly events in the life turn out that he is shunned by spouse or he himself have to leave parents . this causes extreme mental imbalance and grief . Grief not account of event but more out of failure in philosophy . And one will never find fault with oneself and feel event was more or less as of driven by unknown force . All such force is because of  asatdravya . The organization or boss you are serving is earning by means of kumarga or is indulgent in sins, all such sins of gohatya , sins leading to divorce , affairs , moha, losses , getting cheated and falling down morally , indulging in immoral acts , agamyagaman etc are shared and hits the consumer as everyday food is eaten out of such dravyas ,. So also dravya obtained by dana from such people give similar results .So though food will be tasty but will not be manohara in long run as it gives disturbed sleep and immoral karmas.

• The clothes or dhoti should not be wet while cooking . Such a food is not fit for naivedya or to be given to devtas. The food prepared by wet clothes goes to rakshasas and devatas do not accept such a food . However a wet cloth if beaten against wind eleven times is considered dry .
• The woman should never cook food for devatas without wearing a blouse or innerwears . without blouse and innerwears if prepared such a food is eaten by ILVAL named demon i.e. devatas do not accept it .
• Similarly one should not cook  with wet hairs or one should not ether prepare with anger in mind . one must always dry the hair . hair must never be dried directly against the fire , one must use dhoop sugandha or sambhrani to dry hair and not blow hot air or directly against fire . Such a food will be discarded by devtas and VATAPI demon eats such a food giving  a mind of partiality among the eater . anger causes one to become a fool among the group .
• one must not cook with tears in eyes or grief in mind . Devatas do not partake such food . these food is fit to be taken by dogs and crows .
• All food that digresses the vidhi nishedha is known as tamas and should not be consumed , if consumed by mistake or unknowingly the smriti gives following prayaschitta . Panchgavya prashana is the best remedy according to shastras . for men apat from panchagavya prashana 1000 gayatri is ordained . after that simhanuvaak parayana is ordained . if not done asuchi increases day by day .
• one must not cook in a sleeping position . When cooked in such a position or cooking directly after sleep , kali’s wife alakshmi immediately enters such  a person . Thus the food becomes a good naivedya for KALI . Such a food good people should never touch . If taken such a food , once wealth gets destroyed . Misfortunes hit him in the following days . his luck evaporates . In such a situation one must immediately recite shantisukta for 108 times  to regain luck .
• One  must not cook facing west or south , such a food is taken by pisachas . pitrus and devatas dont touch such food . One must never give such food to atithis and bramhins . eating such a food one looses his learnings [ vidyahaani ] . In the long run becomes a amused fool without any respect in  the society . The west food makes one suffer povert his belongings give way and loose lustre and slowly he becomes pennyless.Prayaschitta is that one must stand in the east and do punashcharana samput of vayahruti mantra  for ten times . in the end pranav should be chanted .
• Agni is a bhuta tatva . it is very important in our life . it is a personal issue . Just like a good health conscious person does not use others  belongings like clothes and utensils and bedsheets , towels and perfumery and soaps and other toiletries etc . similarly agni should also be not used . Agni is three types : one that is used to do agnihotra etc . two that is used to light the deepa before HARI nandadeepa and three that is used to light the house . The third one is suitable for cooking . first two should not be used for cooking . The first two is extremely protected since the day one gets sanskaara . The third is extremely personal . it is also protected .
• one must always use ones own agni to cook and not others agni or borrowed agni , this food will not be accepted by devatas and pitrus .
• Suppose one’s agni extinguishes then one must always get agni from a shrotriya only and follow the procedure to establish agni the house as per shruti and not just get it into the house .
• One must never get agni from avaishnav , shudra vaishya , fallen or pashanda or unclean houses . If there is not a single bramhana in a kugrama then in that case one can get agni from the VAISHNAV sudra . This agni should be brought via a dry twigs and not wood , such a twigs should be installed in the place outside of the house or garden . then one must increase the fire with few more twigs and when the fire is lit heavily , one can  get a tulasi kashtha  to light this fire and bring it inside the house and put in the chullaki . This should be then mixed with wood to keep the fire . This fire  should be in the east of the room . Thus agni shuddhi is obtained .
• Agni obtained by friction , or by sulphur or by iron filings is prohibited as it is not “pavak’ agni .
• If agni is brought from a temple then some dakshina like rice , tamboola etc should be kept in the temple .
• Cooking is yagnya , so the fuel used should be clean , it should be made of cowdung ,or palash , khadir and bilva wood . Others are termed impure . butane , kerosene , methane ethanol , biogas , petroleum mixtures , microwave etc are not useful for the naivedya .
• Krsihnacharya in smritimuktavali says tulasi kashtha must be compulsorily used to prepare food . this will be very pleasing to LORD and even if small this will give punya equal to meru parvat .
• With senses under control and silently one must prepare naivedya .
• Rice should be washed thrice or four times before cooking .
• It should be then taken in another vessel and cooked by poring water.
• Rice should never be poured into hot water and then cooked , such a rice is unfit for naivedya .
• Similarly Daal is unfit for naivedya if cooked on fire along with the water . Daal should be poured into hot water after washing it four times .
• Shraddha cooking if done by daughter in law , it is liked by the pitrus .
• The vessels to be kept before naivedya should be kept on a mandala square .
• North east one should keep kheer vessel , south east one must keep vesels containing bhakshya , daal preparations in the southwest , all curries in the north west and rice in the centre , a ghee vessel in between rice and kheer ,
• everyday new vesels should be used for cooking , or vessels made of wood used in yagnya should be used . but still once every month a new vessel should be used .
• salt should be served on left
• rice in the centre , kheer in the right upper ghee in the right .
• curries of vegetables on the front .
• bhakshya bhojya on the left .
• no each dish should each other while serving .
• tur daal preparation is good for devata karya
• udid daal for pitru karya .
• moong daal specially for pitru karya .
• similarly til is good for pitru naivedya .
• when all the dependents have eaten , dev, pitru ,bramhins , family members , friends relatives , atithis , servants ,antyaj chandaladi , beggars , dogs , animals , birds , pisachas etc . then the yejamaana should eat and after his meals wife should eat in the same plate as that of husband . this increases love between them as wife imbibes the qualities of husband more and more .

(Ref:  http://chiraan.blogspot.de/2011/03/paak-vidhi.html)