Is it right or wrong to eat gutkha and recite religious texts? Premanand Maharaj says, "This is not devotion..."

News Topical, Digital Desk : Premananda Maharaj on gutkha: In Hinduism, worship and religious rituals are considered extremely sacred. During these rituals, it is important to maintain mental as well as physical purity. Therefore, many people keep substances like gutkha, betel leaf, or tobacco in their mouths while performing puja or chanting mantras.

Show Quick Read A devotee asked Saint Premanand Maharaj of the Shri Radha Hit Keli Kunj Ashram in Vrindavan, "Some people eat gutkha and recite the Ramayana with me. Even when I object, they say it's not considered inappropriate in the scriptures. Is this true?"

It is appropriate to read Bhagwat Charitra after eating Gutkha.

Maharaj Ji gave a clear and precise answer to this question of the devotee and said that it is prohibited to sing or recite Bhagwat Charitra after eating Gutkha, tobacco or any such Pan Masala.

If you are in the habit, instead, offer Thakurji a paan (betel leaf) that does not contain any kind of paan masala. Instead, adding cardamom, cloves, fennel, sugar candy, or Gulkand to the paan and holding it in your mouth while reciting the Bhagavad Gita will not be considered wrong.

Premananda Maharaj appealed to the people

Maharaj further said that if you eat gutkha or tobacco and recite the Lord's name, it is vile, disrespectful to the scriptures, and devoid of decorum. By doing so, you become a partner in sin.

Premananda Maharaj urged people not to indulge in any kind of intoxication while listening to or reciting the Bhagwat Katha, listening to or reciting the Ramcharitmanas, circumambulating Vrindavan, or circumambulating Giriraj Ji. Performing such activities while intoxicated is sure to result in harm instead of benefit.

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