Food Cycle

The Food Cycle:

In Chapter 3, Shlok 14, Lord Krishna talks about how food is produced and how the food is important for nourishment of life on the earth.

अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भव: |

यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्य: यज्ञ: कर्मसमुद्भव: ||

annād bhavanti bhūtāni parjanyād anna-sambhavaḥ

yajñād bhavati parjanyḥ yajñaḥ karma-samudbhavaḥ

Meaning: All living beings originate from the food. The food originates from the rain. The rains are created due to yajña. yajña is created by Karma.

Superficial look at this shlok confuses us on how this is possible, however, proper understanding on this shlok reveals deep scientific meaning in this shlok.

We know that the life produces another life, but for a life to produce another life, proper nourishment is necessary. The nourishment and the energy are mostly provided through the food consumed. For different living beings, definition of food can be different, but we agree that the food is absolutely essential for living beings to function. So, it is true to say that food produces life.

The rain produces food. Vegetation that springs due to the rain is fundamental source of food for all other living beings. The vegetarian animals survive by eating plant-based food. They get the energy from the plants. The non-vegetarian animals survive by eating other animals and get the energy required for their survival. Thus, plants form the basic food for all, which grow due to rains.

Is the rain really created due to yajña? Let’s understand basic manning of yajña. Typically, we understand yajña as a religious act where the fire is set, and oblations are offered. With this understanding, it is difficult to explain how rain is created through yajña. So, let’s understand real meaning of the word yajña. Word yajña comes from the root word ‘Yaj’ meaning to give or to sacrifice. The Sun gives its heat to earth. Due to the heat, the water evaporates, and the earth gives the water to the atmosphere. The atmosphere gives the vapor back to earth in the form of rain. This is a continuous process of giving that is referred to as yajña in this shlok and hence it is true to say that yajña produces rains. Prajapati designed this yajña while procreating the earth.

How is yajña created? yajña is created by Karma. Karma means action. In all the steps described above, there is form of action of giving. This action of giving creates yajña described here.

It’s a very scientific process described by Lord Krishna in this shlok.

Hari Aum!!!