Inspire Positivity

A few days ago, I came across a blog on Speaking Tree entitled, “Langar Fosters Empathy and Community Solidarity” by Stuti Malhotra. This brought back memories of thirty-five years ago in our neighbourhood when a Langar was organized to celebrate Guru Nanak’s Birthday with full community participation. The women would gather to wash and cut vegetables with reverence, and the food was cooked under strict supervision to ensure cleanliness. Children participated in the Kirtan and Ardas and enthusiastically helped distribute the simple, delicious food, showing respect for both the food and the people. It was a time of genuine empathy and community solidarity, which continued until our children grew up and left for college.

Comparing this to present times, the sentiment of devotion remains, but community service has gradually been replaced by professional cooks and waiters. The menu items have increased, reflecting the affluence of the neighbourhood. Though organizers deserve respect, the sense of belonging and community solidarity has diminished with the increase in resources, menu variety, and scale.

Like the Guru’s Langar, Hindu marriage functions are considered sacred acts of Yajna. In my childhood, my maternal uncle in law  (Mausa Ji) would volunteer to oversee food preparation, ensuring cleanliness and sanctity. The food was not tasted until it was offered to the Lord and was prepared without onion, garlic, or tamasic foods.

In Hinduism, Bhandara, or food prepared for Yajna or offering to a deity, involves distributing free food as a reverence to the Supreme and his creations. Bhandara’s initial intent encompassed altruism, community bonding, religious duty, and tradition. The food preparation follows traditional rules, ensuring purity and cleanliness, and is first offered to the deity as prasadam before distribution. It is expected to be offered to all sections of society with equality and respect, aligning with the Hindu principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). The non-commercial nature of Bhandara is presupposed in its free distribution, without expecting any business advantage.

Participants in a Bhandara are encouraged to take only what they can eat, respect the sanctity of the food, dress modestly, sit in rows on the floor, wait patiently, and not talk during the meal. They should leave their eating area clean and dispose of their plates in designated areas, offering silent thanks to the divine and volunteering for cleanup.

The Bhagavad Gita offers profound insights into the principles of food and community food distribution, advocating selflessness, purity, and recognizing the divine in all aspects of life.

The Bhagavad Gita 17.11:

 अफलाङ्क्षिविर्यं यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते |

यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ||

Translation: The sacrifice performed according to the directions of scripture, as a matter of duty, by those who desire no reward, is of the nature of goodness.

This verse emphasizes the importance of performing acts of sacrifice (including food distribution) selflessly, as a duty, and without expecting any reward. In the context of community food distribution, it suggests that such acts should be carried out with a pure heart, following the guidelines of dharma (righteousness), and not for personal gain or recognition. This selfless service is considered sattvic and contributes to the overall harmony and well-being of the community.

However, in recent times, the sanctity of Bhandaras seems to be taking a back seat. The focus has shifted to one-upmanship rather than feeding the poor and hungry. Bhandaras are organized in various places, and the food is often consumed standing, with disposables discarded haphazardly, which contradicts the principles of Anna Dan (food distribution) as outlined in the Bhagavad Gita. The preparation and distribution duties are largely offloaded to professional cooks and paid workers, leading to a lack of personal responsibility for cleanliness.

Additionally, the food for social occasions like marriages has transformed into lavish feasts with non-vegetarian dishes, onion, garlic, and liquor, deviating from the sacred principles of Yajna. The rich, being trendsetters, have made these feasts increasingly extravagant, overshadowing the essence of community gathering. In contrast, in my childhood, relatives would gather days in advance to chop vegetables, cook, sing, and celebrate together genuinely.

Furthermore, prayer meetings for the deceased, which used to be solemn events without expectations of hospitality, now resemble high teas. While offering water is acceptable given the harsh summers and distances people travel, going beyond this seems excessive.

These changes illustrate the societal trend of one-upmanship, which contradicts the advice of Hindu scriptures.

Impact of One-Upmanship:

1. Competition: Communities and individuals may engage in competitive displays of wealth by hosting increasingly lavish Bhandaras, overshadowing the original intent of humility and charity.
2. Excess and Waste: Organizers might provide excessively lavish meals, leading to potential food wastage. The focus shifts from feeding the needy to showcasing opulence.
3. Environmental Concerns: Traditional Tendu Leaf Pattals and Banana Leaves were biodegradable and decomposed into manure. However, today, most disposable plates are made from non-biodegradable materials and are often discarded carelessly, creating heaps of garbage in open areas. This poses a significant environmental threat, and the disposal of such waste needs strict regulation.
4. Extension of Social Division: Competitive displays can undermine the spirit of equality and inclusiveness, creating or reinforcing social divisions based on wealth and status.
5. Deviation from Spiritual Values: The emphasis on grandeur can dilute the spiritual significance of Bhandaras, making them more about social prestige than religious merit and selfless service.

Mitigating Negative Impacts:

1. Re-emphasize Traditional Values: Reinstate the focus on humility, charity, and community involvement through educational initiatives and community discussions. Emphasize these values in religious gatherings.
2. Encourage Volunteerism: Promote volunteerism over professional catering to maintain the communal spirit. Involving community members fosters unity and shared responsibility.
3. Promote Inclusivity: Ensure Bhandaras remain inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of economic status, counteracting exclusivity from one-upmanship.
4. Encourage Pride in Cleanliness: The community should be instilled with a sense of pride in maintaining cleanliness within both the community and the city. This can be achieved through proactive campaigning and, if necessary, reinforced with punitive measures.
5. Focus on Sustainability: Encourage sustainable practices, such as minimizing waste and using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, aligning Bhandaras with traditional values and modern environmental consciousness.

I wish for a return to simplicity and the true essence of these sacred events, instead of the egocentric display of wealth now prevalent in religious and social functions like marriages and even prayer meetings for the deceased.