Can we eat before doing pūjā?

the ideal is pūjā first, then food; but children, the ill, the elderly and anyone on medicine may eat first without fault.

The traditional order of the morning is bath, prayer, then food, and the reason is simple: we offer God the first of everything, and a light stomach helps concentration. For elaborate pūjās — Satyanārāyaṇa, a havan, a vrata pūjā — the family usually stays without food until the pūjā is over and then eats the prasāda.

But the tradition is never harsh. Children, the elderly, the sick, pregnant women and people who must take medicine with food should eat as they need; tea or water before a short daily pūjā is accepted in most homes.

If you have eaten, simply wash your hands and mouth before pūjā. And if your schedule makes morning pūjā difficult, an evening lamp and prayer after the day’s work is perfectly valid.

Bath → prayer → food · Source: common family practice

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