Significance of Cooked food
Cooked food holds significant meaning across various belief systems in South Asia. In Hinduism, it includes offerings to deities and ritual preparations that adhere to strict guidelines of purity. Jainism emphasizes the implications of cooked food for monastic life, while Vaishnavism sees it as central to communal and devotional practices. Ayurveda categorizes it for its health benefits, and Dharmashastra outlines its role in sacrificial rites. Overall, cooked food is essential for nourishment, rituals, and social relationships throughout these traditions.
Synonyms: Prepared food, Ready-to-eat food, Warm food, Meal, Processed food
In Dutch: Gekookt voedsel
In Finnish: Keitetty ruoka
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Cooked food'
In Buddhism, cooked food symbolizes the prepared offerings made by Pancagga Dayaka to the Buddha, representing nourishment and respect for the spiritual practice, as well as the communal act of sharing sustenance.
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The prepared meals offered by Pancagga Dayaka to the Buddha, which were collected from his cooking pots.[1]
Hindu concept of 'Cooked food'
In Hinduism, "cooked food" encompasses various meanings, such as offerings made during rituals to Pitris and deities, meals prepared for sacrifices, and food that supports communal and ritualistic practices, emphasizing purity, gratitude, and nourishment.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Offerings that a Shudra is expected to make, raising questions about the compatibility of such responsibilities with their lack of property.[2] (2) Refers to the preparation and offering of well-cooked meals at Shraddha, necessary for pleasing the Pitris.[3] (3) Food that is prepared and has undergone cooking, which is relevant for certain offerings.[4] (4) Specifically states the type of offering that can qualify as 'alms' as mentioned in the text.[5] (5) Food that has been prepared through cooking, which has specific rules regarding purity and contamination.[6]
From: Sankhayana-grihya-sutra
(1) Edible items that have been prepared and heated, offered during sacrificial rituals.[7] (2) Food that has been subjected to heat for preparation, included in the oblation.[8] (3) Food that has been prepared through the process of heating, typically intended for consumption in a ritual context.[9] (4) A mess of prepared food that is used in the sacrificial ritual.[10] (5) Refers to the alternative offering that can be made instead of an animal during the Ashtaka ritual.[11]
From: Asvalayana-grihya-sutra
(1) The meal prepared by the sacrificer, which is offered during the ceremony with specific verses from Rig-veda.[12] (2) A mess of prepared food offered in the sacrificial rites, signifying the totality of the sacrifice.[13] (3) Food that has been prepared by cooking, used in offerings.[14] (4) The meal prepared and offered during the Ashvayuji ceremony as a sacrifice to the deity Pashupati.[15] (5) Food that is prepared and cooked at the same fire as the sacrifice, indicating a communal aspect of the ceremony.[16]
From: Baudhayana Dharmasutra
(1) Food that must be illuminated with fire and sprinkled with water if prepared out of sight.[17] (2) Food that has been prepared and can be accepted from various sources.[18]
From: Gobhila-grihya-sutra
(1) A dish prepared on the following day for the couple to eat together after the wedding ceremony.[19] (2) Food that has been prepared through cooking, which can be offered during sacrifices.[20]
From: Paraskara-grihya-sutra
(1) Food that is prepared through cooking, which is offered to the goddess Nirriti as part of the penance ritual.[21] (2) Food that has been prepared by cooking, which is part of the offerings in the sacrificial ritual.[22]
From: Khadira-grihya-sutra
(1) Meals that are prepared and sacrificed during specific rituals, signifying gratitude and acknowledgment to the deities.[23] (2) Food that has been prepared and is offered as a sacrifice to Agni during festivals.[24]
From: Hiranyakesi-grihya-sutra
(1) Represents food that is prepared and offered in a sacrificial context, serving as a nourishment tool for rituals.[25]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) Regarded as the most immediate and significant gift, with the ability to make the recipient forget their parentage and receive universal praise.[26] (2) Gifts that should be offered to purify oneself from all sins as per the text's injunctions.[27] (3) Food preparation guidelines intended to maintain purity, particularly regarding the timing and recipients of meals.[28] (4) Food that is prepared and offered to Brahmanas and Pitris during the Shraddha ritual.[29] (5) Represents a form of offering that, if given without discernment to the unworthy, is seen as producing no merit for the giver.[30]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The sustenance offered by Sandili to Garuda and Galava as an act of hospitality.[31] (2) Food that has been prepared and is meant to be offered as part of a religious ritual.[32] (3) Food that has been prepared through cooking; in this context, it is generally discouraged for a Brahmana to sell.[33]
From: Padma Purana
(1) Food prepared by the brahmana for offering to Vishnu, which was repeatedly taken away by an unknown person.[34] (2) Prepared meals which the dog was attracted to in the camp.[35] (3) The nourishment provided by Arundhati to queen Sudakshina, reflecting hospitality in the hermitage.[36]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) Food offered to brahmins that leads to numerous health and spiritual benefits.[37]
From: Agni Purana
(1) Food prepared and offered to the planets, symbolizing nourishment and respect during rituals.[38]
From: Brahma Purana
(1) Delicious meals prepared for the participants and guests during the sacrifice.[39]
From: Brahmanda Purana
(1) Food that was never wasted for a day and a night, given in abundance to many people.[40]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Refers to the offerings made to the Deities, which were observed to be partly consumed by them.[41] (2) Food that has been prepared through the process of cooking.[42] (3) Food that is prepared through cooking, which the brahmacari believed destroyed life.[43]
From: Sri Krishna-Chaitanya
(1) The prepared meals offered by the milkmen to Sri Gaursundar, exemplifying their hospitality and devotion.[44]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) Food that is intended to be offered on the ahavaniya fire during the ritual.[45] (2) Food prepared through roasting, with emphasis on the process of piercing it for transformation.[46] (3) Food that has been prepared according to ritual standards, it is essential for the gods to accept the offerings.[47]
From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)
(1) A category encompassing various preparations such as gruels, soups, and rice, particularly aimed at nutritional and therapeutic benefits.[48] (2) Refers to the preparations of food that involve the application of heat, where various oils and ingredients are classified based on their qualities and effects.[49]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) Food that is prepared and used for offerings during worship rituals.[50]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) Food that is prepared and served during rituals, which is kept pure during an eclipse by specific practices such as the inclusion of sacred grasses.[51]
Jain concept of 'Cooked food'
In Jainism, cooked food is viewed as prepared food that remains unserved, potentially hindering a monk or nun's ability to enter a household, emphasizing the importance of purity and non-attachment in their dietary practices.
From: Acaranga-sutra
(1) Food that is prepared and not yet distributed, which may prevent a monk or nun from entering a house.[52]
The concept of Cooked food in local and regional sources
Cooked food symbolizes various relationships and responsibilities, from a Brahman's specific needs to parental care for children, reflecting emotional connections, indulgence risks, and personal experiences, ultimately illustrating nourishment's critical role in life and relationships.
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) A specific request made by the Brahman, indicating his particular need beyond simple offerings.[53] (2) Nourishment that the mother carefully gives in small amounts to protect a child, paralleling Krishna's care for His bhaktas.[54] (3) Food that has been prepared by heating, which in the context indicates a metaphor for indulgence that can be harmful if mixed with 'poison,' representing harmful experiences in life.[55] (4) The request made by the Brahman to Nama, which was not fulfilled and led to the subsequent tragedy.[56] (5) Food that has been prepared for eating, used in a metaphor highlighting the discomfort felt when it is compromised or tainted by an unwanted element.[57]
From: Folklore of the Santal Parganas
(1) The meals that the girl prepares for herself and the monkey after he brings her rice and other cooking necessities.[58]
From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3
(1) Represents the girl's responsibilities and her relationship with her father.[59]