| Home | “According to the Hari-bhakti-vilasa, shaving, passing stool, and cleaning one’s teeth are contaminating, and therefore must not be done before cooking or worshiping the Deity.” |
NOTE: The following procedure is obviously meant for men only. A few minor adjustments must be made in order for it to be applicable to women.
Although I do not always do this, it is a good idea to eat something before cooking, so that one is not lusting over the food one is cooking while one is cooking it. After eating, however, according to the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (the rules of Deity worship), one is not allowed to bathe or clean one’s teeth, but should simply wash one’s mouth out with water, and put on clean clothing (clothing which has not been worn into the toilet room, and has not been worn while eating). This is because, according to the Hari-bhakti-vilasa, shaving, passing stool, and cleaning one’s teeth are contaminating, and therefore must not be done before cooking or worshiping the Deity, and according to the Ayur-veda, it is bad for one’s health to bathe less than 4 hours after eating. The reason for this is because bathing causes the blood to flow away from the stomach to the surface of the skin, thus interrupting the process of digestion at a time when it should not be interrupted.
Here is the procedure that I try to follow when cooking for the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna:
1. Use a tongue scraper (available from East Indian stores) to clean one’s tongue.
2. Floss teeth.
3. Brush teeth.
4. Shave. (I use a blade razor to shave, but no shaving cream. I find that liquid soap works better, and is cheaper. I’ve also discovered that Personna “Tri-Flexxx” blades are better and cheaper than Gilette “Sensor” or “Excel” blades.)
5. Pass stool and urine.
6. Shower, using soap on the hair, face, ears, underarms, genital, anus, and feet. If one takes a warm shower, at least end with a cool shower or, better yet, a cold shower.
7. Dry off as thoroughly as possible.
8. Put lotion on one’s face.
9. Put on a clean gamcha (loin cloth), and clean sandals (no underwear).
10. Cook. (I like to wear rubber gloves while I cook. It helps to keep my hands from drying out. It also helps to prevent the spread of disease if I am cooking for someone else. I’ve heard that some states have passed laws requiring restaurant cooks and other restaurant food handlers to put on a brand new pair of latex gloves before they are allowed to handle food.)
11. Make offering. (Free download: How_to_Pronounce_Mantras_for_Offering_Foodstuffs_to_Krishna.zip
12. While the Supreme Lord is eating, get dressed in clean clothes. Remember to put lotion on one’s feet, especially one’s heels, but, to help prevent athlete’s foot, not between one’s toes. (I usually continue to wear sandals until after I take prasadam.)
13. Take prasadam (The Lord’s mercy—food which has been offered to Krsna).
Not only does the above procedure result in a very high standard of cleanliness for cooking for Lord Sri Krsna, but it also has the following health benefits:
1. Plenty of time is provided for the body to cool down and for the pores to close up after taking a shower. This helps to stop perspiration, and helps to prevent harmful bacteria from entering the body through the pores.
2. The genital and anal areas are given plenty of time to thoroughly dry, which helps to prevent anal and jock itch.
3. The feet, including between the toes, have a chance to dry out, thus helping to prevent athlete’s foot.
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