HKC 3: Dahl

Bhagavad-gita explains that in order to achieve self-realization and God realization, one should be temperate in his activities of eating, sleeping, working and recreation. "There is no possibility of one's becoming a yogi," Lord Krsna says, "If one eats too much or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough." (Bg. 6.16) It is not that one should artificially try to eat less than one needs, but eating should be regulated for the purpose of spiritual progress.

Modern so-called civilized men are addicted to eating meat, which they accompany with liquor to help aid their digestion. This meat and liquor agitates them, and they cannot control their senses. Thus they become trapped in nature's modes of passion and ignorance and behave more like animals than civilized men.

Therefore, one should not eat anything and everything but should eat only food which is offered to the Lord. As explained in Bhagavad-gita, when offered to the Lord one's eatables are sanctified, and by eating sanctified foodstuffs, one's very existence becomes purified; by the purification of existence, finer tissues in the memory become sanctified, and when memory is sanctified, one can think of the path of liberation, and all these combined together lead to Krsna consciousness, the great necessity of present-day society.

There is no need for human beings to resort to eating meat, fish or eggs to get protein because there is ample protein available through split peas, nuts, dahl, whole wheat, etc. The main source of protein in the daily Krsna consciousness yoga diet is dahl, which is made from different types of dried beans. Most varieties are easily available in Indian specialty stores, the most delicious being split mung dahl and split urad dahl. Ordinary split peas or whole mung beans may also be used. Dahl can be a very plain but wholesome soup, or it can be used to make the most delicate and unusual pancakes. It is also used in kachoris, which are the best of all savories and a favorite of Srimati Radharani, Krsna's eternal consort.

Chick peas (garbanzo beans) are usually offered in the morning and may be prepared as follows. Soak the chick-peas overnight (1/2 cup is sufficient for a family of four). In the morning, drain them well and sprinkle over them the juice of 1/2 lemon. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, a light sprinkling of black pepper and a pinch of asafoetida. Offered with small pieces of ginger, they are a wonderful source of energy.