History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c40.10.6

v3.c40.10.6

Before sitting down to take one's food, one has to perform *ācamana* (twice) outside the place where one is to eat and has to perform ācamana after taking his meals. This practice was most ancient, as it is attested by the Chāndogya Up. V. 2. 2¹⁸²³ and the Bṛ. Up. VI. 1. 14. The rule is laid down by Āp. Dh. S. I. 5. 16. 9,¹⁸²⁴ Manu II. 53, V. 138 and others also. Vide Devala (quoted in the Smṛtimuktāphala, āhnika, p. 418) for *ācamana* outside the room for meals. When sitting down to eat a person must wear his sacred thread in the upavīta form (Āp. Dh. S. I. 5. 15. 1) and must also have an upper garment,¹⁸²⁵ but should not cover his head (Manu IV. 45 III. 238, Āp. Dh. S. II. 2. 4. 22-23 and II. 8. 19. 12). A *darvī* (ladle or spoon) is to be employed in serving ghee, oil, cooked food, all condiments, salt (i. e. these should not be served by the bare hand) but not in giving water or uncooked food (*vide* Sm. C. I. p. 223 quoting several smṛtis). The householder may wear in his hand gold or jewel (ring &c.) at the time of meals. Gaut. IX. 59, Vas. Dh. S. III. 69, Manu II. 54-55 say that when food is brought to be served, the person about to eat it should greet it, should pay honour to it, show his delight at it and should not find fault with it. Vas. Dh. S. (III. 69-71)