Gokarna, 14 August 2026: The Jatharagni—the digestive fire—is not merely the power that digests food but a representation of divine energy and a vital centre of life, said Sri Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Mahaswamiji, Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sri Ramachandrapura Math.
Speaking on ‘Jatharagni’ as part of the ‘Annam Brahma’ series at the Annabrahma Chaturmasya Dharma Sabha at Ashoka, the Math’s Gokarna headquarters, on August 14, 2026, the seer said the human body functions through the three doshas—Vata, Pitta and Kapha—which correspond to Brahma, Rudra and Vishnu in the spiritual understanding.
The Acharya said hunger itself can be viewed as a manifestation of the Divine, while Jatharagni functions through Pitta. References to the significance of digestive fire can be found in the Shruti and Smriti traditions as well as in the Ayurvedic works of Sushruta and Charaka, he said.
The state of mind matters while eating
What a person eats is important, but the mental state in which food is consumed is equally significant, the swamiji said.
“Food should not be consumed with anger, hatred, jealousy or fear,” he said, explaining that such emotions can contribute to a rakshasa bhava, or negative state of mind. Eating with compassion, kindness and other positive feelings, on the other hand, promotes a devata bhava, he said.
The posture and surroundings while eating also matter, according to the Ayurvedic perspective explained by the seer. Eating while standing or moving about is discouraged, while sitting calmly and consuming food in an orderly manner is associated with the development of sattva guna, he said.
Even wholesome food, if consumed in an unhygienic or unsuitable environment, can have an adverse effect on the mind, he added.
Expensive rice is not necessarily the best
On the choice of rice, Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji said market price should not be treated as a measure of nutritional or traditional value.
“Just because a variety is expensive does not mean it is superior,” he said, referring to the high market price of Basmati rice. Ayurveda, he said, considers traditional varieties such as Shashtika and Rakta Shali to be highly valuable.
People should understand the actual qualities of food varieties and choose what is traditionally considered beneficial rather than simply selecting products based on their price, he said.
Spiritual leaders, dignitaries visit Ashoka
Gokarna, 14 August 2026: Sri Dr Aaroodha Bharati Swamiji of Sri Siddharoodha Mission Ashram, Bengaluru, visited Ashoka in Gokarna and met Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji. He appreciated the Annabrahma Chaturmasya initiative and its focus on the Indian perspective on food.
Former Minister Pramod Madhwaraj and entrepreneur Jayaprakash Shetty were among those who participated in the programme and received the blessings of the seer.
Swarna Paduka Puja was conducted by Gophala Trust, an affiliate organisation of Sri Ramachandrapura Math. In the presence of trustees, distributors and staff, the Trust’s new product ‘Swargasara Savishesha’ was also launched.
Gurubhiksha Seva was offered by the family of Balachandra Krishna Hegde of Sirsi. Narayana Hegde Vandur and his wife were present as the day’s Dina Pradhanis.
Keywords:
Jatharagni, Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji, Annabrahma Chaturmasya, Gokarna, Shashtika rice, Rakta Shali rice, Gokarna News, Citizen News Puttur