Manava Dharmashastra 2.55

2.55

pūrvavidhiśeṣo'yamarthavādaḥ, na tu phalavidhiḥ| phalavidhau hi kāmyo'yaṃ vidhiḥ syādūrjakāmasya balakāmasya ca| tataśca nityaśabdo nopapadyeta 'pūjitaṃ hyaśanaṃ nityamiti'| ato'yaṃ yāvajjīvikaḥ prāṅmukhatāvanniyamaḥ|
apūjitaṃ bhuktaṃ hyubhayaṃ nāśayedbalamūrjaṃ ca|
balaṃ sāmarthyamanāyāsena bhārodhamanādiśaktatā| kṛśasyāpyūrjaṃ mahāprāṇatā| aṅgopacayaḥ mahākāyo mahābalaśca bhavati |

The food, thus worshipped always, imparts strength and vigour. If eaten irreverently, it destroys them both.—(55)

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):
This verse is only a valedictory supplement to the rule prescribed above; it is not meant to be the statement of definite results following from the observance of that rule. If it were a statement of results, the rule would be an optional one, to be observed only by one who desires vigour and strength; and in that case the adverb ‘always’ would have no sense;—as we have in the expression, ‘the food thus worshipped always, etc.’ For these reasons the rule must be regarded as one to be observed throughout life, just like the rule regarding facing of the east (during meal).

‘If eaten irreverently, it destroys them both,’—i.e., vigour and strength.

‘Strength' is power, the capacity to lift heavy loads without effort; while ‘vigour’stands for energy and courage, which is found even in a man who is lean (and physically weak): while great strength is found only when the limbs of the body are well-developed and the body has attained huge proportions.—(55)

‘Ūrjam’.—Buhler wrongly attributes to Medhātithi the explanation that this term means ‘bulk’. The term used by him is ‘mahāprāṇatā’ which means the same as ‘vīrya’ of Kullūka or ‘energy’ of Nārāyaṇa. Buhler has apparently been misled by a mis-reading of Medhātithi.

This verse has been quoted in Vīramitrodaya (Saṃskāra, p. 486) where ‘pūjitam’ has been explained as, ‘samskṛtam’, well prepared;—and in Smṛticandrikā (Saṃskāra, p. 114).

Comparative notes by various authors
(Verses 54-55)
See Comparative notes for Verse 2.54.