“खाना खाते खाल सबही, संत करे आहार, सज्जन भोजन को करे”
The above is a line from a doha attributed to Kabir. It’s literal translation is
“Everyone eats food, the rich person enjoys it while the saint draws nourishment from it.”
Khaana, Bhojan, Aahaar – are three words in Hindi that basically mean to have food. But the end result of all these three words is different.
Khaana – the act of eating to survive and sustain one’s self.
Bhojan – the act of eating generously like a rich person.
Aahaar – the act of eating only what is needed so as to nourish one’s self.
This line beautifully explains how individuals live and react in this world. Most of us are just running to survive. That’s why they just eat to survive. The rich have more to eat so they eat their food in a more lavish manner. While the saint knows that while food is needed, it can also act as an impediment if too much is had. Hence the saint eats only what is needed for nourishment.
The above analogy beautifully explains how one should live life. We all have access to everything in this world. How we use that access depends on us. We can be like most people and just bother about what we need immediately. We can be like the rich and indulge in whatever we can. Or we can be like the saint and enjoy this world without being tied down to it – like the leaf of the lotus plant rests on the water.
Decide for yourself which of the above three you would like to be. All three are needed in this world. You have to decide what is right for you.