The Power of Prasada

Once, Indra was riding his elephant, Airavata. On the way, he met Sage Durvasa. The sage had a special garland with him. It wasn’t just any garland — it had been offered to Jagadamba, the Supreme Goddess. It was filled with divine grace — it was prasada.

The sage gave this garland to Indra. But Indra didn’t understand its importance. Casually, he placed it on Airavata’s head. The flowers’ fragrance attracted bees, which began flying around. The elephant became restless. It pulled off the garland and threw it down, trampling it underfoot.

Sage Durvasa was furious. He cursed Indra:
‘You’re so arrogant? Just like you threw this garland away, you too will be thrown out of heaven one day.’

Even in the famous Satyanarayana story, something similar happens. A merchant does a puja but ignores the prasada he gets. Soon after, news comes that his ship is caught in a storm at sea. He quickly eats the prasada with devotion — and miraculously, the ship reaches the shore safely.

So what is Prasada?
Prasada literally means grace or blessing. It’s not just food or flowers or sandal paste. It’s something we offer to God — God accepts it — and then gives it back to us, charged with divine grace.

According to Agama Shastra, any food has three components:

1. Dhatu-amsha – builds our bodily tissues
   
   
2. Rasa-amsha – the subtle essence, emotional and energetic imprint
   
   
3. Mala-amsha – the waste, which is eliminated from the body
   
   

What kind of food we eat — sattvic or tamasic — depends mostly on the rasa it carries. And that rasa isn’t just taste — it also includes the feelings and thoughts of the person who prepared it. That subtle emotional charge enters our mind too.

That’s why Dharma Shastra gives such importance to where food comes from and who gives it.

In the case of Naivedya (food offered to God), only the rasa-amsha is relevant. God takes in that subtle rasa from our offering — and in its place, fills it with his anugraha (blessing) and gives it back. That’s why prasada tastes so divine. It’s literally charged with God's touch.

Anything we receive from God is anugraha. Never see it as just a physical item. Flowers, food, sandal, or water — these are just carriers of divine energy. Think of a sweet song stored on a plastic CD — the value is not in the plastic, but in the music. Same way, the real value of prasada is in the blessing it holds.

Whenever you receive prasada, don’t focus on the item — focus on the grace that flows through it.

Everything touched by God becomes prasada. His divine energy spreads into it.

Types of Prasada

• Naivedya Prasada – food offered to the deity
  
  
• Sacred leaves and flowers – like tulsi, bilva, garlands used in puja
  
  
• Sacred ash (vibhuti), kumkum, sandal paste
  
  
• Charanamrita or Theertham – water touched by the Lord’s feet
  
  
• Ash from homas
  
  
• Cloth worn by the deity
  
  

Any physical object touched by divine energy is prasada.

What happens if you disrespect prasada?
It’s like pushing away the very hand that comes to help you. Disrespecting prasada invites divine displeasure.

How to handle prasada properly?

• Always receive it with both hands, with devotion in your heart.
  ‘Bhava-grahahi Janardana’ — God sees your feeling, not just the act.
  
  
• Never waste it. If there's more, share it with others.
  
  
• Don’t place it in dirty areas.
  
  
• If the flowers or other items dry up, immerse them in clean water respectfully.
  
  

Benefits of Prasada

• Destroys sins and past negative karmas
  
  
• Brings peace and calm
  
  
• Protects you during danger
  
  
• Improves health
  
  
• Creates a deep bond with God
  
  
• Fills your home with divine energy
  
  

So next time you get any prasada — even just a flower or a pinch of sacred ash — pause for a second. Feel the presence of grace within it. You’re holding a piece of the divine.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi