Food Influences Thought

Once upon a time there lived a kind and gentle Brahmin in a small village. He always thought of others before himself and led an exemplary life. Everyone considered him no less than a sage living among them. It happened that for some work, he had to travel to a nearby city. In the city, he was to be the guest of a wealthy merchant at his mansion.

After the merchant had treated the Brahmin to a sumptuous meal, they sat down in the veranda of the mansion. On the table in front of them were two silver cups which were used to serve them fruit juices. The silver cups were very beautiful and were studded with some precious stones and carved with beautiful artwork. The Brahmin thought of stealing one of those cups before he left. He suddenly felt ashamed of himself for thinking like that. Why was he having such sinful thoughts of stealing?

On leaving the merchants home, the Brahmin asked people in the village about the merchant and the nature of his business and the source of his affluence. He was given the same answer everywhere he went. The merchant had earned his riches through cheating and stealing from others. He had wrecked many lives to get this far. The Brahmin realized that by eating the food served at the merchants place, he had been influenced by the same thoughts the merchant had.

By eating the food that is offered by people with wicked thoughts, we too are influenced by wicked thoughts.