Gokarna, 12 August 2026: The care people take while choosing fuel for their vehicles should also be given to the food they consume, said Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Mahaswamiji of Sri Ramachandrapura Math.
Speaking at a religious assembly held as part of the ‘Annabrahma Chaturmasya’ at the Math’s Moola Math premises in Ashoke, Gokarna, on August 12, 2026, the seer spoke on ‘Jatharagni’ (digestive fire) as part of the ‘Annam Brahma’ series.
He said the body is closely connected with the principle of fire, and the well-being of the body depends on the proper functioning of this inner fire.
“When the fire in the body stops, life ends. When it is disturbed, disease can occur. When it functions properly, a person can remain healthy and live a long life,” he said.
Food as Fuel for the Body
Comparing the human body to a vehicle, the Swamiji said fuel provides the energy needed to operate a vehicle, while food provides the energy required by the human body.
However, there is an important difference. In a vehicle, fuel acts mainly as a medium for producing energy. In the human body, food is transformed and becomes part of the body itself, he explained.
A vehicle can be stopped and restarted by controlling its energy source. But when the body's inner fire completely stops, it cannot simply be restarted. Therefore, people need to take particular care of their Jatharagni, he said.
Connection Between Mind and Digestive Fire
The Swamiji also spoke about the close relationship between the mind and the body's inner fire. According to him, the mind and digestive fire function like two sides of the same coin. Unlike a vehicle, which operates through mechanical systems, the human body also depends on vital energy.
Just as a vehicle needs air along with fuel for its operation, the body requires the support of Prana Shakti, he explained.
A vehicle powered by fuel can travel across different places, but proper nourishment can enable the human being to explore dimensions that modern science has not yet reached, he said while highlighting the importance of appropriate food.
Ancient Indian Knowledge
The Swamiji also highlighted the difference between ancient and modern approaches to scientific exploration. He said ancient Indian knowledge was largely based on inner exploration, while much of modern research focuses on the external world.
Referring to the traditional understanding that what exists within the body is reflected in the wider universe, he said ancient scholars explored the external world through an understanding of the inner self.
He also highlighted traditional knowledge systems in which information about the wider world was understood through observations such as the pulse.
Gurubhiksha Seva
Representing the Havyaka Mandals of Kumta and Havyaka circles from Dhareshwar, Valagalli, Kekkaru, Kumta, Karwar and Ankola, Nagaraj Narayana Joshi and his wife offered Gurubhiksha Seva.
S.V. Hegde Bhadran, Krishnananda Holegadde, G.S. Hegde of Kumta, Swati Bhagwat, Vad iraj Samaga and chief guest of the day Parameshwara Narayana Bhat and his wife were present.
Keywords
Raghaveshwara Bharati, Annabrahma Chaturmasya, Jatharagni, food and health, Sri Ramachandrapura Math, Gokarna, Gokarna News, Citizen News Puttur