How to be Happy with Seva and Jalabian!

Daas mentioned before this story in a debate about what types of food we can eat. It's clear that many Sakhi's show how singhs used to prepare sweets for sangat. The following is a passage from the book "Episodes in the lives of the Guru's"

KEY TO HAPPINESS
Once Mata ji developed some physical ailment. When the Guru came for his meals, she
prayed, "O True Emperor, I have suffered much pain. Pray give me comfort and relief from
this suffering."
"O Mother, you want comfort and relief for yourself. Have you yourself ever given these to
anybody?" asked the Guru.
"In what way can I do that?" replied Mata ji.
"Have you ever served a meal to anybody? Have you ever offered cold water to anybody?
Have you ever fanned anybody? Have you ever massaged a tired person?"
"O True Emperor, because of you, there are so many people eager to serve food and
water, to wield the fan and to do the massaging, that many of them do not even get a turn
to perform these services. How can I do that?"
"Mata ji, he alone can get comfort or peace, who gives it to others. This is the Law laid
down by the Lord Himself. And if you have not given comfort to anybody, how can you
aspire for it yourself?"
"O True King, the past is past. In future I shall do as you say."
"Very well said," remarked the Guru, "now let us proceed like this. Let us hold a big feast,
cook wholesome, delicious food including luchis, jalebis, kichoris, and invite all the four
vamas. We should seek the pleasure and blessings of all."
Mata ji complied with the wishes of the Guru. A huge feast was organised. All the four
vamos were invited. Followers of all the six systems of philosophy were invited, and all
near and dear ones as well as those distantly connected, joined. All showered their
blessings. The feast continued for several days, with no restrictions. "Dear Mother, now
you have earned the pleasure of so many. Therefore, you will also have comfort ahd
peace," said the Guru. Thus ended Mata ji's ailment. (33)

THis is some nice random sakhi but what does Gurbani and rehatnamey say about tasty foods?

Isn't that your area of expertise Sukhdeep Singh jeeo ?

Beautiful Saakhi!

The idea is that when we serve Gursikhs or Sangat as a whole we should strive to do Seva with our full effort. Mata Kheeve jee, the Mahal of Siri Guru Angad Dev jee was the epitome of Seva and she has the distinction of having her name mentioned in Gurbani. She was the incharge of Langar during her time and she ensured that the Sangat was served good and rich food. Kheer was a one of the rich foods of that time and she not only served Kheer but then used to pour spoonfuls Desi Gheo into it. It doesn't get any better than this.

One who serves the Sangat with full love and faith, can get anything in return. Guru Hukam is as follows:

ਚਾਰਿ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਮਾਗੈ ॥ ਸਾਧ ਜਨਾ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਲਾਗੈ ॥
(If someone seeks the Chaar Padaarath, he should indulge in serving the Gursikhs).

Kulbir Singh

ਬਲਵੰਡ ਖੀਵੀ ਨੇਕ ਜਨ ਜਿਸੁ ਬਹੁਤੀ ਛਾਉ ਪਤ੍ਰਾਲੀ ||
Balwand says that Khivi, the Guru's wife, is a noble woman, who gives soothing, leafy shade to all.


ਲੰਗਰਿ ਦਉਲਤਿ ਵੰਡੀਐ ਰਸੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਖੀਰਿ ਘਿਆਲੀ ||
She distributes the bounty of the Guru's Langar; the kheer - the rice pudding and ghee, is like sweet ambrosia.

There's nothing Sweeter than Naam, all other tastes are false and Gursikhs need not indulge in delicious foods there are too many pangtis that back this up. If we do Naam and GurbaNee Abhyass than automatically our Trishna doesn't want or desire tasty foods. However for Gurpurabs some sweet dishes should be made. But that's pretty much it.

Sweet foods only at Gurpurabs? The recipe section on this site needs tweaking in this case. The key is not to over indulge in any type of food, not just sweets. If your avastha is high then you can live with eating very little or not at all. It is understandable that with more nam jap, taste of the tongue is controlled.

GurmanSingh Wrote:

Quote

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>Let us hold a big feast,
> cook wholesome, delicious food including luchis,
> jalebis, kichoris, and invite all the four
> vamas.

what kind of food is called luchi? is it some kind of mithaaee?

Shaheed BHai Mani SIngh Ji mentions in Gyan Rattanwali that one day Bhai Jeta SIngh Ji, Bhai Nanda ,and BHai Pigara apporached Sri GUru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj and said how can we get closer to you. Sri GUru Ji responded
ਇੰਦਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਕੋਚ ਕੇ ਤੁਸਾਂ ਸ਼੍ਵਾਸ ਸ਼੍ਵਾਸ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਕਾ ਭਜਨ ਕਰਨਾ
Control your senses and do swas swas naam abhyiaas.

Is it possible to do naam abhyiaas when we indulge in the lower wordly senses? Sri Guru Ji clearly states with the indlugence of these bodily sense pleasures there is no room for naam rass.
ਰਸੁ ਘੋੜੇ ਰਸੁ ਸੇਜਾ ਮੰਦਰ ਰਸੁ ਮੀਠਾ ਰਸੁ ਮਾਸੁ ॥
ਏਤੇ ਰਸ ਸਰੀਰ ਕੇ ਕੈ ਘਟਿ ਨਾਮ ਨਿਵਾਸੁ ॥੨॥

We know that when we indulge in the five senses ( bodily pleasures) then we give way to the theives. Mentiong the indlugence of tasty goods Sri Guru JI states

ਬਾਬਾ ਹੋਰੁ ਖਾਣਾ ਖੁਸੀ ਖੁਆਰੁ ॥
ਜਿਤੁ ਖਾਧੈ ਤਨੁ ਪੀੜੀਐ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਚਲਹਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Meaning these foods damage the body and give way to the panj bikaars.

In regards to dieting BHai Sahib Bhai Randhir SIngh Ji states

Bhai Randhir Singh ji states

ਜਿਸ ਖਾਣੇ ਦੇ ਖਾਣ ਕਰਕੇ ਤਨ ਨਾ ਪੀੜੀਦਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਜਿਸ ਅਹਾਰ ਦੇ ਭੁਚਣ ਕਰਿ ਮਨ ਮਹਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ਨ ਚਲਣ, ਓੁਹ ਖਾਨਾ, ਅਹਾਰ ਸਤੋ ਗੁਣੀ ਅਹਾਰ ( ਖਾਨਾ)
ਹੈ.
Meaning one should not eat food that causes pain to the body and instability to the mind ( rajo and tamo gun) . Instead one should eat food which is healthy/truthful.

Tasty foods make the body weak and the mind lazy such foods fall unde the category of tamo gun while healthy natural foods fall under the category of Satogun.


In Sri Sukhmani Sahib Sri Ji states
ਮਿਥਿਆ ਰਸਨਾ ਭੋਜਨ ਅਨ ਸ੍ਵਾਦ
Falsse is the tongue which enjoys tasty food.

In Sri Asa Di Vaar Sri Guru Ji mentions what will happen to those people who spend their lives in these bodily pleasures.
ਆਪੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਭੋਗ ਭੋਗਿ ਕੈ ਹੋਇ ਭਸਮੜਿ ਭਉਰੁ ਸਿਧਾਇਆ ॥

Bhai Daya Singh Jis rehatnama mentions
ਸ੍ਵਾਦ ਅਸ੍ਵਾਦ ਛੋਡੇ
Be above taste and distaste

and

ਖਾਣਾ ,ਪੀਣਾ ,ਹੱਸਣਾ ,ਛੋਡੇ
Renounce the carelessness of eating, drinking, and laughing.


Nobody is adovcating a diet of dirt and air, but it doesnt take much gurmat intelligence ( bibek) to know foods such as jalebis, pakorey, samosey, and so forth provoke the bodily senses and keep us away from Naam. The book Episodes in the lives of the Guru's" is an unknown text by an unknown person. We do not know what this text is based on so its best to rely on Gurbani and more known sources when determining such matters as diet.