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ಧರ್ಮಶಾಸ್ತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವ ಯಾವ ದಿಕ್ಕುಗಳಿಗೆ ಮುಖಮಾಡಿ ಭೋಜನ ಮಾಡಿದರೆ ಅದರ ಫಲಗಳೇನೆಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ?
ಆಯುಷ್ಯಂ ಪ್ರಾಙ್ಮುಖೋ ಭುಂಕ್ತೇ
ಯಶಸ್ಯಂ ದಕ್ಷಿಣಾಮುಖ:|
ಶ್ರೇಯಃ ಪ್ರತ್ಯಙ್ಮುಖೋ ಭುಂಕ್ತೇ
ಋತಂ ಭುಂಕ್ತೇ ಉದಙ್ಮುಖಃ
1.ಆಯುಷ್ಯವೃದ್ಧಿಗೆ - ಪೂರ್ವಾಭಿಮುಖ.
2. ಯಶಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುವುದಕ್ಕೆ - ದಕ್ಷಿಣದಿಕ್ಕಿಗೆ ಮುಖ.
3. ತನ್ನ ಏಳಿಗೆಗೆ, ಶ್ರೇಯಸ್ಸಿಗೆ - ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ದಿಕ್ಕಿಗೆ ಮುಖ.
4. ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಸ್ವಭಾವಕ್ಕೆ, ಸಾತ್ತ್ವಿಕಗುಣಕ್ಕೆ- ಉತ್ತರ ದಿಕ್ಕಿಗೆ ಮುಖ.
- | ವೇದಮೂರ್ತಿ ಮಂಜುಳಗಿರಿ ವೆಂಕಟರಮಣ ಭಟ್ಟ
Does the direction you face while eating have a traditional significance? According to a teaching from the Dharmashastra tradition, the four cardinal directions are associated with different benefits when a person sits down for a meal.
Vedamurthy Manjulagiri Venkataramana Bhatta, explaining the traditional verse, says that facing different directions while eating is associated with longevity, success, well-being and the development of good qualities.
The verse states:
Āyuṣyaṁ prāṅmukho bhuṅkte
Yaśasyaṁ dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ |
Śreyaḥ pratyaṅmukho bhuṅkte
Ṛtaṁ bhuṅkte udaṅmukhaḥ ||
Traditional interpretation gives a specific significance to each direction.
Facing East: Associated with Longevity (Long Life)
According to the traditional interpretation, facing east while eating is associated with longevity. East has a prominent place in Indian tradition as the direction of sunrise and is traditionally connected with light, renewal and the Sun.
Facing South: Associated with Success
Facing south while eating is traditionally associated with success and recognition. The verse uses the term Yashas, which refers to fame, reputation or honour. Thus, the practice is traditionally interpreted as being connected with achieving success and recognition.
Facing West: Associated with Welfare and Progress
Facing west is associated with Shreyas - welfare, betterment and overall progress. Teaching therefore connects west-facing meals with one's advancement and well-being.
Facing North: Associated with Sattvic Qualities
Facing north is traditionally associated with Rta and is interpreted in this context as the cultivation of good qualities and a Sattvic disposition. In Indian philosophical thought, Sattva represents qualities such as purity, calmness, clarity, balance and goodness.
What the Traditional Teaching Says
| Direction faced while eating | Traditional association |
|---|---|
| East | Longevity |
| South | Success and fame |
| West | Welfare, progress and well-being |
| North | Good qualities and Sattvic disposition |
More Than Just a Direction
In traditional Indian practice, eating is not viewed merely as a physical activity. The manner in which food is prepared, served and consumed has also been connected with discipline, cleanliness, gratitude and mental composure. Teaching about directions is therefore part of a larger traditional approach to food and daily conduct.
It is important, however, to understand these associations in their religious and cultural context. The claims about longevity, success or character are traditional beliefs and should not be presented as scientifically established cause-and-effect relationships. For generations, such teachings have formed part of India's wider body of knowledge concerning food, conduct and daily discipline.
Keywords
Dharmashastra, eating direction, facing east while eating, Hindu traditions, Sattvic qualities, Indian food traditions, Citizen News Puttur