Everything we receive as food comes from nature and we are grateful to nature for that. In Hindu Dharma, we believe that God resides in every particle, so we respect everything. We consider food a deity and recite a food mantra before consuming it. The food mantra (Bhojan Mantra) expresses gratitude to God for providing us with food and a desire to share the same with everyone else as we have received.
Bhojan Mantra: Eat to live not live to eat
The Bhojan mantra is mentioned in Bhagwat Gita in Chapter 4 of Sloka 24. This mantra talks about salutation to Brahman, who created everything and provided everything we have as food.
Lyrics (Sanskrit and English)
ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविः ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् । ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना ॥ ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्विनावधीतमस्तु । मा विद्विषावहै ॥ Brahmaarpanam Brahma Havih Brahmaagnau Brahmana Hutam Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam Brahmakarmasamaadhina Aum Saha Naavavatu Saha Nau Bhunaktu Saha Veeryam Karavaavahai Tejasvinaa Vadheetamastu Maa Vidvishaa Vahai|| AUM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI ||
Meaning
The accurate meaning of this mantra is: “A practice of offering is Brahman, the oblation is Brahman, the device of offering is Brahman, and the fire (hunger) to which the offering is made, is also Brahman. Brahman is reached for such a one who abides in everything (Brahman) by him alone”.
Significance
Brahman refers to God himself. This Shloka suggests that God is everywhere, in the food, inside the devotee and even the hunger is God. So, devotees are taking the food (God) to the hungry (God). To put it succinctly, we always thank God for his divine grace.
Mealtime Prayer: Thankyou god for food (YajurVeda 11.83)
The Mealtime prayer is mentioned in Yajurveda Chapter 13, Sloka 83. The mantra is prayers to god for everything he has put on our plate.
Lyrics (Sanskrit and English)
ॐ अन्नपतेन्नस्य नो देह्यनमीवस्य शुष्मिणः प्र प्रदातारं तारिष ऊर्ज्जं नो धेहि द्विपदे चतुष्पदे ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः! Om Annapate annasya no dehyana-meevasya shushminah, Pra pradaataaram taarish oorjam no dhehi dvipade chatushpade. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti!
Meaning
O Lord Provider of food grains, & all edibles. Thanks for giving us food today. May this food be disease-free and nourishing, And be good for my body, mind & soul, I pray! O Benefactor of the donors & providers of food, May all living receive their sustenance every day! Peace be on all, everywhere, all times!
Significance
The above mantra is popularly chanted before mealtime and is recommended for ideal mealtime blessings. It comprises nutrition value, source (god or nature), consumption benefits, and the person who prepares the food. RigVeda also has an entire section 1.187 regarding the choice of food, the effects of such food, and the purpose of such consumption.