This story of Goddess Annapoorna will tell you why food is important for sustenance

Idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Thinkstock image for representation purpose only.

Mumbai: We live in a world of materialistic illusions and often get carried away by it. According to Hinduism, the ultimate journey of a soul ends when it unites with the Supreme by attaining Moksha but can one transcend to the divine world with an empty stomach? The answer is NO.

Here’s a beautiful legend associated with Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva that will emphasise on the importance of food.

Lord Shiva, who is often referred to as a Bairagi, isn’t keen to live a materialistic life but Parvati symbolises life in its fullest glory.

Once, the divine couple was playing a game of dice. The two got so involved in the game that they started gambling. Each of them surrendered all what they had and in the end, Parvati won the game. Having lost everything that belonged to him, Shiva left for a forest in fit of rage. That’s when Lord Vishnu appeared and convinced him to play another game to win back all he had lost.

When Shiva and Parvati played the game again, the former won all his belongings. This made Parvati suspicious. They were almost about to have an argument when Lord Vishnu appeared once again and informed the Goddess about his mischief. The duo realised that the materialistic possessions were mere illusions and belonged to none.

Lord Shiva went a step further to call Anna (food) that we consume an illusion. This offended Parvati as food was a necessity. In order to make Shiva realise that absence of food would bring life to a standstill, she went away to an undisclosed location.

After her anger got pacified, Parvati returned and thus life bloomed again. Famine and drought were overcome and people again had food to consume.

Shiva approached Parvati and admitted that he was powerless without her (Shakti).

Food nourishes our body in which the Aatma (soul) resides and hence it is important for us to keep ourselves healthy.