Jainism Abroad

Author(s): Pratap J Tolia
Publisher: Vardhaman Bharati International Foundation

Page 51

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III "Why are you so strictly abandoning to eat or drink anything after the sunset, especially in this country where there are no insects in the night due to our peculiar climate, cleanliness and other health-providing resources, Prof. Toliya ?"
This question was posed like several others by my kind and hospitable host one evening at Rochester during my primary Programme Tour of U.S.A.
In fact, she was a little disappointed that, as already intimated telepohnically in advance. I was not going to take any sort of food or drink at her place where I was able to reach that evening only after the Sunset.
The Sun had sat on the way itself and finding that I won't be obliging this very much gentle lady who was hopeful that I shall at least accept some drinks, she was naturally right and inquisitive in finding the reasons for my such an insisting lifelong Jain principle being pursued even in foreign countries and modern science age.
Asking to be greatly excused, I replied to this kind compassionate host with all my regards, courtesy and humility that, "I thank you and value too much your kind hospitality but I regret, I won't be able to give up my principle and practice what I am preaching......."
"But why?"
"Because it is totally Scientific apart from several other things !"
"Scientific ? How? Will you kindly explain ?"
Our conversation went on and went on elaborating my study and thinking with my scientific, spiritual, psychological, social, hygeinical and aesthetic points of views in integrity and totality of life, saying:
"Yes scientific first of all in addition to several other reasons. So far as insects are concerned, may be there will be 'lesser' VISIBLE insects in cold countries like U.S.A. after the Sunset, but a number of subtle invisible or micro-glass visible insects will definitely be existing even in this country which effect and spoil all food especially in the increasing night hours after the Sunset. If you examine, analyse and test minutely you will yourself find that neither the food will be having the normal required potentials in it, nor will be free from diseases-bringing possibilities.......".
"In addition to the effects of increasing insects and germs after the Sunset, another important Scientific reason behind abandoning Night-eatings is the aspect of "Sun Power" or SOLAR ENERGY, potential vital strength of Sun Rays on the food stuff during and after its preparation. This is much deeply worth-studying aspect. It is totally scientific and experimentally proved by experimenting Dieticians & Medicos that Solar energy, strength and vitamin value is too much when the Sun is existent in the sky and not set, when the Sun is at its extremity (even too much in hot and tropical countries !) and the germs or insects are negligible in their presence. While at evening this energy goes down and in night it is again more and more low. This is still more in Cold countries of the West. The food stuff consumed during night hours when there is no presence of this Solar Energy, creates digestive problems, stomach disorders and several diseases which are more visibly present in the Western World, in spite of the availability of plenty of varietiful vitaminized food items...! Are n't they ? Don't you find the same here in your round-about-life itself ? Have you ever noticed this in your observation and analyzed the causes of the same ?....."
"Oh yes ! This is very much interesting, worth-studying and acceptable." The lady agreed with me and I continued.... "This Scientific, Hygenic Health-pertaining point of view is further strengthened by Indian System of Longivity and Medicines called AYURVEDA, which has cautiously and purposefully rejected night-eatings based on factual, practical and logical basis. Practical evidences prove that there will be lesser and lesser element of "FIRE" (A{94) which is necessary for the digestion of food and balance in the body, after the sunset. It will cause Lack of Fiery Substance, Indigestion and other diseases sooner or later. Moreover, the meals require atleast three to four hours' time