Does and Don’ts of eating as per Scriptures

1) One should wash five limbs before eating i.e. both hands, both legs and mouth. And one
should not eat with dry legs.

Ref: Padma Purana, Srishti, 51/88,51/124; Sushrut Samhita,Chikitsa,24/98;Mahabharat,Shanti,193/6;

Skanda Puran, Brhma,Dhrma,6/72;

2) Vedas have enjoined two times eating for humans, morning and evening. One should not eat
in-between.

Ref: Mahabharat, Shanti,193/10,Anu,162/40,93/10;Padma Puran, Patal,79/47;

3) One time eating is of Demi-gods, two time eating is of humans, three time eating is of demons
and four time is of rakshasas.

Ref: Padma Puran, Sristi,51/129;

4) One should not eat during Sandhya periods of the day.

Ref:Padma Puran,Patal,9/56; Susruta Samhita, Chikitsa,24/98;

5) One should eat facing east or north always and not otherwise.

Ref: Vishnu Puran 3/11/80; Vaman Puran 14/51;

6) One should eat always alone.

Ref: Skanda Puran,Ma.Kau.41/129; Sukra Niti 3/112;

7) One should not eat without taking bath, without feeding children & old first.

Ref: Vishnu Puran 3/11/73-74;

8) One can take water, milk, roots, fruits and medicine without bath.

Ref: Chanakya Niti 8/2.

9) One should not eat wearing only one cloth on body, nor with covered head.

Ref: Manu Smriti 4/45,3/238;Parashara Smriti 1/59;

10) One should not eat with plate on lap.

Ref: Mahabharat, Drona,73/38.

11) One should not eat in broken pot.

Ref:Mahabharat, Ashwa,92;Manusmriti 4/65;

12) One should not eat at midnight, midnoon , times of indigestion, in wet cloths, lying down,
standing.

Ref: Kurma Puran Utara. 19/20-21;

 13) One should not eat during Sun & moon eclipses.

Ref: Devi Bhagavat 9/35/11-13; Apa Stamba Smriti 9/28;

14) If there is urge to evacuate or pass water, then one should not eat.

Ref: Susrut Samhita , Chikitsa 24/98;

15) While walking we should not eat.

Ref: Mahabharat, Anu,104/60.

16) One should not eat in a plate used by women.

Ref: Mahabharat, Ashwa.92;

17) It is recommended to eat in pure Bronze (Kasya) plate but not on Sundays.

Ref: Brahmavaivarta Puran, Sri Krishna.75/61;

18) One should not eat or drink with left hand.

Ref: atri Smriti 5/6-7; Mahabharat, Drona,73/38;

19) One should honor cooked food and never criticize whether it is tasty or not.

Ref: Mahabharat, Shanti, 193/6;

20) One should not eat half eaten sweets or fruits afterwards again.

Ref: Narad Puran, Purva 27/79;

21) One should observe silence while eating.

Ref: Mahabharata, Shanti. 193/6; Skanda Puran Brahma,Dharma,5/140;

22) In the beginning eat sweets, middle salty & sour, at the end bitter and hot.

Ref: Vishnu Puran 3/11/87;

23) First eat juicy items then solids and again at the end juicy.

Ref: Vishnu Puran 3/11/88;

24) We should take morsel which can fit in mouth, left out in hand is considered our remnants and
not eatable.

Ref: Mahabharat, Ashwa,92;

25) One should not take curd at the end of meal.

Ref: Mahabharat, Anu,104/99;

26) One should eat with all fingers.

Ref: Bodhayandharmasutra 2/3/5/21;

 27) One should not eat full stomach at night.

Ref: Skand Puran, Brahma, Dharma 6/63;

28) One should not give remnants nor one should accept anyone’s remnants.

Ref: Manu Smriti,2/56; Bhavi Shya Puran, Brahma.3/39;

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