Gokarna, September 3, 2026: Human beings are a creation of sattva and should lead a life guided by awareness, happiness, compassion and kindness rather than living like animals or remaining in a state of inertia, said Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Mahaswamiji of Sri Ramachandrapura Matha.
Swamiji was speaking at a religious discourse held as part of ‘Annabrahma Chaturmasya’ at the Ashokeya Moola Matha premises in Gokarna on September 3. The discourse was delivered under the ‘Annam Brahma’ series and focused on the different forms and classifications of food.
Food classified into two broad categories
Explaining the traditional classification of food, Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati said Ayurveda scholars broadly classify food into Sthavara (plant-based) and Jangama (animal-based) categories.
Sthavara category can further be classified into four groups - plants that bear fruit without flowers, trees that flower before producing fruit, creepers, and crops such as grains that dry up after producing their yield. Jangama category is also divided into four groups - Jarayuja, Andaja, Swedaja and Udbhija, he explained while describing the traditional understanding of the food world.
‘Humans should not live like animals’
According to the seer, animals represent the rajasic aspect of creation, while plants, trees and inanimate objects represent the tamasic aspect. Human beings, with knowledge and awareness as their defining qualities, represent the sattvic creation. Since humans belong to the sattvic category, the rajasic and tamasic forms of creation become their sources of food - broadly referring to plant-based and animal-based foods, he said.
“Just as it would seem strange if a tiger abandoned hunting and began performing penance, it is equally strange for a human being to live like an animal,” Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji said. He added that human beings should not spend their lives in a state of inertia like plants or trees, but should live with awareness, joy, compassion and kindness.
‘Seek sattvic food amid rajasic and tamasic choices’
Referring to the six traditional tastes of food, the seer said that tastes reside in different food substances. He said that while choosing food, people should seek sattvic options amid the broader categories of food.
Using the metaphor of searching for light in darkness, he urged people to consciously identify and choose sattvic food. “Although human beings themselves are considered a sattvic creation, consuming another human being would become tamasic food,” he said, explaining the distinction in the traditional framework.
Puttur-area Havyaka groups offer Guru Bhiksha Seva
Representatives of the Havyaka Mandalas and Havyaka units of Bettampady, Puttur, Darbe, Panja, Bellare and Chokkadi, under the Uppinangady Havyaka Mandal, offered Guru Bhiksha Seva on behalf of the A.P. Sadashiva Marike family.
Block Education Officer Uday Naik, Hariprasad Periyapu, R.S. Hegde Haragi, Eeshwari Berkadavu, Aravinda Darbe and Prasannakumar T.G. were among those present. Dinesh Pradhani and Devendra Khandika and his wife were also present and received the blessings of the Swamiji.
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Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji, Annam Brahma, Annabrahma Chaturmasya, sattvic food, Gokarna, Havyaka Puttur, Citizen News Puttur, Gokarna News Today