Why do we offer food to God before eating?

to remember that food is a gift, to share it before we take, and to turn eating itself into worship.

Hindu thought sees food as Brahman itself — “annaṁ brahma” — the sustainer of life that comes to us through earth, rain, sun and the labour of many. Offering it first to God is an act of gratitude and humility: we receive back as prasāda what we have offered.

In the Gītā Kṛṣṇa asks that whatever we do, eat, offer or give be done as an offering to him. Many families say the verse “Brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma haviḥ…” (Gītā 4.24) before meals, which sees the food, the eater and the act of eating as all being Brahman.

Practically, a small portion is placed before the deity or simply offered mentally at the table with a short prayer. Traditional homes also set aside a little for a cow, a dog, birds or a guest — the old idea of sharing before eating. Food eaten this way is said to nourish the mind as well as the body.

Source: Bhagavad Gītā 9.27 and 4.24 · “Annaṁ brahma” — food is sacred

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