Jay: Grandma, how do I know what foods to eat?
Grandma: There are three types of foods, Jay (Gita 17.07-10). The foods that bring long life, virtue, strength, health, happiness, and joy are juicy, smooth, substantial, and nutritious. Such health foods are the best. They are called Sattvik or healthy food. Foods that are very bitter, sour, salty, hot, oily, and acidic are called Rājasika or undesirable foods. Such junk foods are unhealthy, cause diseases, and should be avoided. Foods that are not well cooked, spoiled, tasteless, rotten, burned, left-over, and impure (such as meat and alcohol) are called Tamasik or bad foods. One should not eat such foods.
Jay: How should I speak to others?
Grandma: You should never tell a lie. Your words should not be harsh, bitter, nasty, or insulting. They should be sweet, useful, and truthful (Gita 17.15). One who speaks politely wins the heart of all and is liked by everybody. A wise person should speak the truth if it is helpful and keep quiet if it is harsh. To help those in need is the universal teaching.
Jay: How should I help others?
Grandma: It is our duty to help those who are less fortunate and can’t help themselves. Help anyone who needs help, but never expect anything in return. Charity is not only the best, but also the only use of wealth. We all should help a good cause. Give back what belongs to the world. But there are responsibilities.Money given in charity should be earned by lawful means. And we must make sure that the receiver is not a person likely to use the gift for evil purposes (Gita 17.20-22).
Jay: Will God give us what we want if we sincerely pray for it?
Grandma: Full faith in God makes things happen. There is nothing impossible for faith. Faith works miracles. One must have faith before starting any work. It is said in the Gita that we can become whatever we want to be if we always think about it and pray to God with faith (Gita 17.03). Always contemplate about what you want to be, and your dream can come true.
Jay: What does OM TAT SAT mean, Grandma?
Grandma: It means Krishna, the Almighty God, only exists. OM is used before starting any work or study. OM TAT SAT or OM Shantih, Shantih, Shantih, is also used at the end of any act.