Akshaya Patra Foundation run by ISKCON provides freshly cooked meal to over 18 lakh children across 12 states in our country. The food served is Sattvic and does not contain Onion or Garlic. One section of media alleges that food served minus Onion and Garlic doesn't meet the nutritional standards required for growing children.
Nowhere in any Hindu scriptures have they mentioned to shun them but have advised to avoid excess consumption. Onion and Garlic are classified as Rajasic and Tamasic, which means that they increase passion and ignorance. While explaining to Arjuna in Chapter 17 verse 8,9,10 Sri Krishna prefers Sattvic food for an individual to excel spiritually.
Onion and Garlic come under alliaceous plants and they are supposed to induce aggravation, agitation, anxiety and aggression if consumed in immoderate amounts. They could harm physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Understandably they are avoided by spiritual adherents because they stimulate the central nervous system, and Garlic is a natural aphrodisiac. Onion and Garlic are categorised as “Kamagra” (inducer of Sensual craving)
Back in the 1980’s, Dr Robert C Beck made a research on the effects of Garlic on human brain functioning. He concluded that garlic reduced reaction time by two to three times when consumed regularly. A school going kid should not have a slow function brain, as far as the nutrients it can be got from any alternative source.
I understand that consumption of Onion and Garlic in limitation works as medicine but regular intake is to be avoided. Our orthodox society avoids it, why??? Maybe they are worried about its origin.
Our Puranas have a story of its origin. Ayodhya King Trishanku desired to reach Heaven with his mortal body. He sought the help of his Raja Guru Sage Vashista, who promptly refused to fulfil his wish as no one could enter with human body. As there was on going tussle between Sage Vishwamitra and Sage Vashista, and to obtain oneupmanship Sage Vishwamitra agreed to send King Trisanku to Heaven with his mortal body.
After an ensuing Yagna, Trishanku was launched up to Heaven by the penance prowess of Vishwamitra. However Indra, the Lord of the Heavens refused to let Trishanku in with his mortal body and sent him packing back to Earth. Trishanku fell headlong towards Earth, calling out to Sage Vishwamitra.
Enraged, Vishwamitra again used his prowess and uttered Stay Trishanku! And the King stayed hung mid-way between Heaven and Earth, upside down. Vishwamitra proceeded to create a separate Heaven around Trishanku, known as the Trishanku Swarga.
Among all the items created for Trishanku, there were Onion and Garlic. I do not concur with those who reject Onion and Garlic because it was Vishwamitra's creation because it was the same Sage who gave us Gayatri Maha Mantra.
Many think that Onion and Garlic is kept away from a Vaishnava household. ISKCON which follow the Dvaita Philosophy of Sriman Madhva are strictly against use of Onion and Garlic, yet they serve most delicious food as prasadam. Madhva community is very particular about what to eat. They feel the food we eat controls the mind but it is paradox, is it the food we eat that controls our mind or does the mind have control on what we eat. Seeing the life style of a typical Madhva I am convinced that it is the mind which should control what we eat. Look at how the Chinese eat, they eat anything that walks, runs, flies, crawls and also those which slither.
I personally feel that there is nothing bad in adding Onion and Garlic occasionally in our recipe but if addicted to it, it is a concern.
The cross-section of an Onion looks like Shanka and Chakra to me…… do you also feel so???
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