वदनि कवल घेता नाम घ्या श्रीहरीचे सहज हवन होते नाम घेता फुकाचे जीवन करि जिवीत्वा अन्न हे पूर्ण ब्रम्ह उदरभरण नोहे जाणिजे यज्ञ कर्म!
This is a Marathi prayer or shloka recited before eating, meaning, “As you put a morsel of food in your mouth, take the name of the Lord Hari“. The full meaning is, “Take the name of the Lord Hari as you put a morsel in your mouth; it becomes a simple offering (like a fire ritual) by just taking the name”. The practice promotes gratitude, mindfulness, and a spiritual connection to the meal by acknowledging the divine in the act of eating.
Breakdown of the phrase:
Vadani (वदनी):In the mouth, or speaking.
Kaval (कवळ):A mouthful or morsel of food.
Gheta (घेता):While taking or putting.
Naam (नाम):The name.
Ghya (घ्या):Take or say.
Shri Hariche (श्रीहरीचे):The name of Lord Hari (a form of God).
Significance:
Gratitude:
It’s an act of gratitude to God (Shri Hari) for the food.
Mindfulness:
It encourages a moment of reflection and mindfulness before consuming the meal.
Spiritual Connection:
It transforms the act of eating into a spiritual offering, making it an act of worship.
The prayer suggests that by taking God’s name with each bite, the meal becomes a type of “havan” or fire ritual, elevating the eating experience to a divine act.
