Gokarna, 16 August 2026: Food has a direct connection with spirituality, while Ayurveda, yoga and dharma guide people towards a healthy and balanced life, said Sri Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Mahaswamiji, Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sri Ramachandrapura Math.
Swamiji was speaking during a discourse on ‘Annam Brahma’ as part of the ongoing Annabrahma Chaturmasya at Ashokeya Moolamatha in Gokarna.
“Whatever is Ayurveda is yoga; whatever is yoga is dharma; and whatever is dharma is spirituality,” swamiji said, highlighting the close relationship between food, health and spiritual well-being.
He said modern approaches often focus on treating diseases after they occur, while ancient Indian traditions, particularly Ayurveda, have long emphasised maintaining health and preventing illness.
According to him, Ayurveda, Dharmashastra and Yoga Shastra ultimately convey the same message — a path towards well-being in both worldly and spiritual life.
‘Agni is the king of the body’
Raghaveshwara Sri explained that Ayurveda identifies four types of digestive fire or Agni — Mandagni, Tikshnagni, Vishamagni and Samagni. Achieving Samagni, or balanced digestion, is an important foundation for a healthy life, he said. Ayurveda also encourages people to observe the condition of their digestive fire every morning after waking up.
“When Jatharagni is disturbed, it affects both the body and the mind. Therefore, Agni is the king of the kingdom called the body,” he said.
Havyaka Mahasabha offers Gurubhiksha Seva
Sri Akhila Havyaka Mahasabha, the representative organisation of the Havyaka community, offered Gurubhiksha Seva during the Chaturmasya.
Raghaveshwara Swamiji said the ongoing Annabrahma Chaturmasya programme is focusing on creating awareness about appropriate food practices for the welfare of society and urged the community to make use of the guidance being provided.
Speaking on behalf of the Mahasabha, Dr Giridhar Kaje said the organisation had grown with the blessings of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Raghavendra Bharathi Mahaswamiji and has been working for the welfare of the community for the past 83 years.
He said the Mahasabha has undertaken several programmes aimed at strengthening cultural values and sought the continued guidance of the Guru Peetha.
Ravi Narayana Pattaje and his wife offered the Gurubhiksha Seva on behalf of the Mahasabha. Vice-President R.M. Hegde Balessara, Secretary Prashanth Bhat Malavalli, Treasurer Krishnamurthy Bhat Yelahanka, directors and coordinators were present.
Gomantak community performs Swarna Paduka Puja
Gomantak community, spread across Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra, also offered Swarna Paduka Puja during the programme. Blessing the community, Raghaveshwara Sri said the offerings made by devotees represent their devotion, while the Mantrakshate offered by the Guru Peetha represents its blessings.
He said the Guru Peetha would continue to stand with the community through its joys and difficulties and expressed his willingness to learn Konkani, the community's home language, and communicate with them.
Ramesh Naik Joida, Bhaskar Narvekar, Devadas Shejwadkar, Dinakar Ankolekar and Gurunath Kamath were among those present along with hundreds of members of the Gomantak community from Goa and Karnataka.
Keywords
Raghaveshwara Sri, Annabrahma Chaturmasya, Gokarna news, food and spirituality, Ayurveda and food, Jatharagni, Havyaka Mahasabha, Gomantak community, Swarna Paduka Puja