By Swami Chidananda
The Upanishads sometimes carry the lofty wisdom of metaphysics along with down-to-earth values for daily life. Do not disrespect food by wasting it in various ways, says a mantra. That is an important value in modern life, as millions starve even today in this world of ours. Reverence for food is also based on another contextual factor in the Upanishad, which is the place of food – or the physical body that is nurtured by food – in a seeker’s search for the highest truth. He begins with the gross body, explores further to discover the place of prāna, mind etc. and arrives ultimately at Brahman.
Do not disrespect food. This is the law.
annam na nindyāt, tad vratam
Taittiriya Upanishad – 3.7.1
(3rd valli, 7th anuvāka, 1st mantra)