Beyond Sustenance: Mealtime Rituals Part II

Beyond Sustenance: Mealtime Rituals Part II

By Mahadeo Foundation0 Comments
On June 5th, 2025, we shared our newsletter, Beyond Sustenance: How Ancient Vedic Wisdom Transforms Mealtimes into Sacred Rituals in which we discussed in Vedic approach to accompany meals with Prayers. In this brief article, we share the links to our Vedic Verses for contemplation during and at mealtime. In the Vedic tradition, grain (food grains), (Anna) is revered not merely as sustenance for the body but as a divine gift, a sacred energy that nourishes life at all levels – physical, mental, and spiritual. The act of preparing and consuming food is often seen as a form of yajna…
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The Water Cycle

The Water Cycle

By Mahadeo Foundation1 Comment
Let's take a look at the all-important Water Cycle of the Earth and what the Rig Veda tells us about it. You can listen to this article as a podcast here. The hymns of the ancient Rig Veda echo with a profound understanding of the natural world. Within its verses lies a remarkable observation about the very lifeblood of our planet: water. One particular passage, from the Rig Veda Book 2, Chapter 12, Verse 3, offers a poetic yet insightful glimpse into the workings of the water cycle, revealing an early appreciation for the sun's power and its intricate dance…
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Gems from the Vedas

Compiled by Dr Yog Mahadeo This is a special selection of verses from the four Vedas. These verses are scientific as well as emotive and would have inspired many years of thought and contemplation. The verses included are: [glossary_exclude] Subject MatterMantraBless our country with noble and good citizensAa brahman brahmaṇo Yajur VedaGrant me luxury, fameAnnadyena yashasa Atharva VedaEver-living, ever-young LordArchantya-arkam Saama VedaProtect me, O LordAsau te senaa Saama VedaSpiritual filter for my sensesBhadram karnebhih shrinuyam Rig Veda, Yajur VedaHe brings Wealth & ProsperityBhago na chitro Saama VedaGenesisBrahma jagyaanam prathamam Saama VedaTruth is One though explained differentlyEkam sat vipra bahudhaa vadanti…
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First & Last Mantras of Vedas

This section captures the first and last mantra of each of the four Veda. There is uniqueness in the introductory verse and departure verse of each Veda. For example, the first mantra of the Rig Veda deals with the concept of the singular force of God and his powers of creation and preservation. The last verse of the Rig Veda outlines the necessity for unity amongst all so as to develop common Goals and Common Worship, that is for the entire society to focus on developing a singular and united goal in life. Rig Veda - page 2Yajur Veda - page 3Saama Veda - page 4Atharva Veda - page 5
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Manaavartan sootra

मनावर्तन सूत्र: Oh Mind, come to the center In the Yoga Vashishtha, Rama queries of Rishi Vashishtha: "What is mind?". The Rishi responded, "Space is the emptiness in which matter appears, and mind is the emptiness in which space appears." While the power of the mind is within our grasp, we are often controlled by the mind (instead of the other way around). Depression, sickness, anger, jealousy...the various negatives that affect us can be resolved by control of the mind and control of our relationship and attachment with the world and things of the world. The Vedas address the concept of the…
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Birthday/long life

Tach-chakshur-devahitam तच्चक्षुर्देवहितं पुरस्ताच्छुक्रमुच्चरत् ।पश्येम शरदः शतं जीवेम शरदः शतंश्रृणुयाम शरदः शतं प्रब्रवाम शरदः शतंअदीनाः स्याम शरदः शतं भूयश्चा शरदः शतात् ॥ Tach-chakshur-devahitampurastaach-chhukram-uch-charatPashyema sharadah shatamjeevema sharadaḥ shatamShriṇuyaama sharadah shatamPrabravaama sharadah shatamAdeenaah syaam sharadah shatamBhooyash-cha sharadah shataat.(Yajur Veda 36.24) That Almighty One is aware of everything; He permeates every particle of energy in the world. He protects and blesses those who maintain a noble life. May we be so favored by Him to see and perceive; breathe/function and be healthy; hear and retain positive sounds and words; speak, teach, and spread (the Vedas); and be independent and free from any negative for a hundred years and more.. Notes:1. This verse is used in several ways:- as a Birthday Prayer- as a prayer given during सूर्य अवलोकन (soorya avalokan) in…
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Universal Prayers

These verses are for the upliftment of the society and the world at large. It is said our individual happiness lies in the happiness of all. Our level of individual well-being is dependent on the well-being of all. List of verses (click to select)[glossary_exclude]Sarveshaam svastir bhavatu[/glossary_exclude][glossary_exclude]Sarve bhavantu sukhinah[/glossary_exclude][glossary_exclude]Lokaah samastaah sukhino bhavantu[/glossary_exclude][glossary_exclude]Dyauh shantir-antariksham shaantih[/glossary_exclude] Sarveshaam svastir bhavatu सर्वेषां स्वस्तिर्भवतु ।सर्वेषां शान्तिर्भवतु ।सर्वेषां पूर्णंभवतु ।सर्वेषां मङ्गलंभवतु ॥ Sarveṣhaam svastir-bhavatuSarveṣhaam shaantir-bhavatuSarveṣhaam poorṇam-bhavatuSarveṣhaam maǹgalam-bhavatu. May all be blessed with auspiciousness (swasti);May all be blessed with peace (shanti);May all be blessed with fulfilment (poornam);May all be blessed with prosperity (mangalam). सर्व - all, everyone शाम् -…
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