Why ghee made from Cow's milk most sattvik vegetarian diet?

1. Importance of sattvik diet

Some of the examples of sattvik food are milk, ghee, rice, various kinds of fruits, vegetables etc. The ghee made from cow milk added to the food served, purifies it and imparts greasiness to the body.
Importance of sattvik food is:
Some sources of sattvik food:
While narrating the limitations of science in understanding the benefits available from consumption of sattvik food, H.H. Gurudev Dr. Kateswami of Maharashtra says: Science has not given due thought to sattvikta of food ! Explaining this point, Swamiji says, ‘Science says that food is necessary for development of the body; but it cannot go beyond this. Science does not give due thought at all to the effects of subtle aspects of food. If the food is vegetarian and sattvik, the mind and intellect become sattvik. Only sattvik food can enable us to perform Yogasadhana and attain God. Only through spiritual science one can know about the sattvikata of food.
Hence as a part sattvik diet, vegetarian diet is of great importance.
Meaning of the word ‘Shakahar’, that is, vegetarian diet: ‘Shaka’ + Ahar = Shakahar. The meaning of the word ‘Shaka’ is ‘pure’. ‘Shakah’ means plant. Shakambarî is also the name of a Female Deity, that is, Devi. This form denotes that the Devi is present in vegetables. Substances such as milk, fruits, roots, bulbs and tubers are included in vegetarian diet.

2. Types of food according to the method of consumption

3. Why is vegetarian diet considered to be devoid of reproductive seed?

When compared to the animal species, Tama-dominance in the plant species is less. Vegetarian diet is one which is devoid of the capacity to give birth to new beings through sexual contact. These do not have desires or emotions. However, new beings sprout from them. Hence, such components are known as ‘those devoid of reproductive seed’. From the perspective of Ayurved and Spirituality, vegetarian diet is of utmost importance.

4. Importance of vegetarian diet

From ancient times the Sages and Ascetics of Sanatan Hindu Dharma have mentioned the importance of vegetarian diet.
Men who acquired prominence in various fields in western countries, such as George Bernard Shaw, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Tolstoy etc. were vegetarians. Modern science has established the undisputed supremacy of vegetarian diet.

5. Why does vegetarianism signify abiding by Dharma?

When creating the Universe, God has laid down rules about specific diets for specific beings. As per Nature’s rule, the cow is purely vegetarian. The dental pattern of man is similar to that of the cow’s. Hence, consuming vegetarian food is abiding by Divine rules. Abiding by Dharma means following appropriate Code of Conduct of diet, enhancing Divine qualities and becoming capable of attaining Bliss. As a result of vegetarian diet the sattvaguna in man is enhanced. Vegetarian diet accomplishes the task of making man Divine, that is, man begins to progress on the spiritual path.

6. Some components of vegetarian diet

A. Plants: Plants are animate. Today, even science agrees that plants have emotions. Despite this plants are included in vegetarian diet. There are two main reasons for this.
Waves from the earth, in the form of the Absolute Fire and Absolute Earth are present in plants. Due to this jivas that sprout from plants also possess these earth-waves. Plants do not possess waves associated with Tama-dominant sexual desire and its related function.
B. Milk: From a scientific perspective milk, water, air etc. contain microorganisms. As such, how can these components be called vegetarian ? However, from the perspective of Spirituality, these components are predominant in Sattva-Raja-guna. Upon coming in contact with these components, the Raja-Tama-predominant Jivas become inactive.
Components such as milk, water, air etc. possess higher Principles such as the Absolute Fire and Absolute Air. These Principles absorb within themselves all components along with their Raja-Tama. This is why these components are considered vegetarian. Cow milk is the most sattvik and vegetarian component.
Some components of vegetarian diet, their features and effects:

6.1 Importance of ghee made from cow's milk

One of the most important constituent of vegetarian diet is ghee. Subtle-picture of ghee made from cow’s milk is given below:
Ghee contains Divine Principle and Chaitanya. Hence it is protected from negative energies. However use of synthetic substances in the preparation of ghee or preparing it in a distressing environment, may attract negative energies from the environment to it.
Proportion of vibrations in the ghee made from cow’s milk: The table below highlights the spiritual importance of ghee made from cow’s milk. As it is most sattvik, apart from it being used for consumption, it is also used in ritualistic worship.

7. Misconceptions about vegetarian diet, and its superiority

Some argue that a purely vegetarian diet weakens a man. He lags behind in the race of life. Non-vegetarians acquire more laurels than vegetarians. But true Hindus understand the importance of a vegetarian diet. By consuming vegetarian diet they increase the Sattva guna in themselves and proceed on the spiritual path. They realise that God is the only One who gives awards. This award is of Supreme Bliss (Brahmananda), non-duality (advait) and Supreme Peace (Param-shanti).
Generally it is observed that vegetarians do not have desire for any other medals or rewards. And talking about weakness, a vegetarian lives longer and there are many examples of this.

8. Prevalent vegetarian dishes and their purity

Nowadays it has become common practice to eat bakery products like cake and pastry, processed butter, various types of biscuits, drink tea, coffee and different soups. People consider this as pure vegetarian diet. But is it purely vegetarian in the true sense?
The above examples force us to ponder whether we are actually consuming vegetarian food.
Reason for prohibition of consumption of food like cottage cheese made by the souring of milk: Milk is considered to be a source of sagun Chaitanya. It is a ‘complete food’. Souring of milk amounts to enhancing its adverse Raja-Tama-dominant constituents and destroying those which function with the help of its sattvikta. Consumption of such food items devoid of sattva, prepared by souring of milk is harmful for the body. Due to this, distressing vibrations get concentrated in the body in maximum proportion, thus inviting many diseases.
Some examples of food constituents poisoned with chemicals:

9. Categorisation of essential dietary components into vegetarian and non-vegetarian, according to their nature

A diet includes vegetables, fruits, flowers, milk, grains, lentils, meat etc.. They are categorised into vegetarian or non-vegetarian depending on their nature. Dietary components contain two types of beings organisms.
A. Animate and mobile: Animals / Organisms can move. They are called ‘mobile animate’. Most of such animates are Raja-dominant. Hence they are characterised by instability. These beings / organisms also have desires. These beings also have sexual desire, due to which they are associated with the process of creation. Such beings are slaughtered and their meat is consumed. That is why, mobile animate beings are included in non-vegetarian diet.
B. Immobile animate: The plant species is categorised as immobile animate. These beings / organisms characterised by stability have low ability to function with the help of Raja-Tama-guna. Food items made from such sources are included in vegetarian diet.

9.1 Difference between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food

Upon consuming food, the law of the cause and effect of our actions (Karmaphal-nyaya) becomes applicable to both, the one who consumes and the one being consumed.
Even Saints have advocated vegetarianism. Due to sattvik food, the body as well as the mind remain healthy. When man consumes the meat of an animal he not only harms it, but does damage to himself too.
Today the number of non vegetarians is increasing. Some people want to give up non-vegetarianism. However, due to habit or the influence of negative energy they are unable to do so. What is the way out? There is only one answer to this, spiritual practice.

10. Effects of spiritual practice on diet

While performing spiritual practice, a seeker begins to establish communion with God. Due to Divine grace, every action of his becomes sattvik and enriched with Chaitanya. When the attitude becomes sattvik, his diet changes too and he becomes vegetarian. By complimenting meal times with prayers, he gains sattvikta, Chaitanya and Deity’s Principle. Of course, mere vegetarianism is not adequate for spiritual progress.
According to the science of Spirituality, a vegetarian diet increases a person’s Sattva-guna and complimenting chanting with spiritual emotion (bhav) increases it more. However, it is not possible for an average person to chant with spiritual emotion. Hence, it becomes necessary to increase one’s Sattva guna by adopting vegetarianism.

Shraddha ritual and chanting of the name of Lord Dattatreya

1. Importance of doing the shraddha ritual ardently

During the shraddha rites and the meal, one should not entertain anger and meaningless thoughts. The vibrations generated due to the meaningless thoughts adversely affect the Vishvedev and the deceased ancestors (Pitars) coming to that place. That is why one should completely avoid the meaningless thoughts and the meaningless conversation with others while performing the ritual.
Spiritual experience - Experiencing the smell of Puranpoli, an Indian sweet delicacy, for five minutes; the next day a friend saying that, ‘I wanted to give you Puranpoli' and then having the realisation of his subtle-body getting the Puranpoli due to the intense desire of his friend: One day I got the smell of Puranpoli. Then I started getting hiccups. I felt that 'My friend is remembering me.’ The next day my friend said, “We had made Puranpoli last night and I really wanted you to have it.” My subtle-body (ling-deha) had got the Puranpoli due to his intense desire. - A Seeker
This spiritual experience confirms that the holy sacrament (naivedya) offered ardently to Deities and the Pitars reaches them. Through this spiritual experience we understand that the Pitars are satiated by performing shraddha ardently.

2. Options for the shraddha ritual

The Scriptures have also delineated what a person should do who is incapable of doing any of the above stated options. They are as follows:
If even this is not possible, then go to a forest and exposing your armpits by putting both the hands up, wave a blade of grass towards the Deities of the regions (Lokapal) like Sun etc. and pray, "I do not possess anything useful for shraddha like wealth etc. I pay obeisance to all my Pitars. Let all my Pitars be appeased with my devotion. I am helpless."
Alternatively, go to a secluded forest and pray in a loud voice raising your hands, I am penniless and without food. Liberate me from the debt of my Pitars. If even this is not possible, then lament facing the south direction.
This information in Hindu Scriptures shows how inevitable it is for everyone to perform shraddha.

3. How is the benefit of the shraddha acquired merely by praying ?

By praying with spiritual emotion the Pitars, inferior Deities and other Deities are appeased and attracted towards the person who prays. Together with their blessings the person also acquires the benefit of the shraddha. Invoking the Deities by raising hands and praying to the Pitars is a symbol of the devotee’s spiritual emotion (Bhav) of helplessness.

4. Spiritual experiences about shraddha

The pindas prepared for the shraddha of my father were appearing very radiant. After the brahman-bhojana was concluded, I felt that my deceased father and other deceased ancestors (Pitars) were satiated. - Mr. Nitin Sahakari, Goa
At the time of the shraddha of my father-in-law, I experienced the existence of only – my father-in-law, his father and his grandfather. A light yellow colour was visible around the three pindas. I felt the three were satiated and were bestowing blessings. - Mrs. Shruti Nitin Sahakari, Goa.
In Hindu Dharma, at the time of shraddha of the father, pinda is offered in the name of the grandfather and the great grandfather also. This seeker had the practical spiritual experience of the theoretical part explained by Hindu Dharma.
One can understand from this type of spiritual experiences whether the Pitars have been satisfied or not. Contrary to this, when they are not satisfied with the shraddha, their subtle bodies keep wandering in the atmosphere. Then various distresses are felt at the place associated with the Pitars like heaviness of head, giddiness, reduction of vital energy etc.

5. Importance of chanting ‘Sri Gurudeva Datta’

Due to the unsatisfied Pitars there is a risk of distresses like not getting married, financial difficulties, seeing cobra or Pitars in a dream or in waking state. For overcoming such distress, it is important to chant the Name of Lord Dattatreya along with the ritual of shraddha.
Deity Dattatreya is the Principle created from the combination of the Principles of the three main Deities, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. One of His functions is to give momentum to the journey of our deceased ancestors (Pitars) to the next region. Hence, once should chant ‘Shri Gurudeva Datta’.
Benefit of chanting ‘Sri Gurudeva Datta’:
Similarly to perform the shraddha with Bhav:
With these actions the obstacles of the negative energies in the ritual of shraddha are removed. The Energy and Chaitanya of Lord Dattatreya is emitted in the venue of the shraddha and the family gets its benefit.