Know to Enlighten

Author(s): Rajyashsuri
Publisher: Rajyashsuriji

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snake, scorpion and go on committing the same sin event after rebirth.
One may doubt that eating after sunset is to be avoided by Jain community as they strictly practise non-violence. But it is not so. Even non-Jain philosophies have condemned eating after sunset and aver as a great sin. They proclaimed that eating after sunset is a "highway to hell." Sage Markandey has declared in "Markand Puran' that even drinking water after sunset is as good as drinking blood and eating is as good as eating meat. While bidding good-bye to Vanmala before leaving to Vanvas with Shri Ram, Laxman assured her that he would never forget her. If at all he forgets her he will be committing a sin of killing a person. But Vanmala was sad. When he took a vow that he would be committing sin of eating at night if he forgets her, then she allowed him to go. This episode of Ramayan defines eating after sunset as a great sin.
Foreigners have coined a word 'Breakfast.' When one eats in the morning he breaks his fast i.e. from evening to morning or sunset to sunrise. When he breaks the fast he is not supposed to eat from sunset to sunrise. So fast is implied in breaking a fast in the morning. That is why it is called "Breakfast."
Medical opinion in no way supports eating after sunset. Some of the medical opinions, throw light on the concept of not eating after sunset:
Mr. T. Hartley in his book 'Healing by water' informs that there is a great effect of sun rays on human body. He supports eating before sunset and it is advisable to eat before sunset and rest at night. "Where sun (rays) enters, entry for Doctors or Vaidyas is prohibited.
Prof. Albert J. Beloj in his book "The Philosophy of Eating" has recommended that every one should take nutritious food three times in a day after sunrise and before
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sunset. Meals at night after hard labour during the day disturbs digestion.
Dr. Lieutenant Colonel in his book 'Tuberculosis and the Sun Treatment' informed that the incumbents of sun institution take their food at 6.00 O'clock in the evening and this is helpful for their health. (Meals after sunset are harmful to the health).
Dr. S. Parot in his book "Health and Life" has mentioned that one heart patient was cured, when he left late night meals and started taking meals before sunset. He was cured of his heart trouble by this change.
Ramesh Mishra held that late night meals and improper food is responsible for many of the digestive troubles in India. He was able to cure many diseases just by changing their time of evening meals i.e. eating before sunset.
Italian poet tells in his poem 'to get up at 5, dine at 9 in the morning and 5 in the evening and to go to bed at 9' By this one can live with good health for 99 years.
According to Ayurved, digestive power is strong during the day time. Just like lotus blooms at the rise of the sun so also the Nabhi Kamal - Lotus of the body blooms in the morning and fades in the evening. So meal after sunset is harmful to health and if eaten, one becomes lazy and feels loss of memory power instead of becoming active and blooming in the morning.
Religion forbids meals after sunset and medical opinion is also against meals at night. Right food at the time can make the body healthier which is an instrument for salvation. A person with healthy body can concentrate well. So a person not eating after sunset may become great i.e. 'Eat to be Great.'
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