Mumbai: In Hinduism, every aspect of worship carries spiritual meaning — even how you accept prasad (holy offering). While many people overlook this detail, religious texts and traditions strongly advise receiving prasad only with the right hand. It’s not just about custom — it’s about receiving divine blessings with respect and the right intention.

Prasad is considered a sacred gift from God — a symbol of divine grace, not just a sweet or edible item. That’s why it’s important to maintain cleanliness and follow rituals even while accepting it. According to Hindu beliefs and astrological scriptures, honouring such rules brings peace, prosperity, and spiritual progress into one’s life.

Spiritual Significance of the Right Hand

In Hindu dharma, the right hand is considered shubh — auspicious. Whether it’s lighting a diya, performing an aarti, offering bhog, or conducting a havan, the right hand is always used for sacred acts. Accepting prasad is no exception. Since prasad symbolises God’s blessing, it should be received using the hand associated with purity and positive energy.

The left hand, by contrast, is generally used for personal hygiene and bodily functions. As such, it is traditionally seen as impure for religious purposes. This is why using the left hand to accept or offer anything sacred is discouraged.

Scriptures Warn Against Using the Left Hand

Ancient Hindu scriptures clearly advise against using the left hand in sacred acts. Yet, in haste or distraction, many devotees unknowingly receive prasad with their left hand. This habit not only undermines the sanctity of the ritual but also weakens its spiritual benefit.

Devotees are encouraged to wash their hands before receiving prasad and, if possible, offer a gesture of gratitude by folding their hands in prayer. Accepting the offering with your right hand while maintaining this reverence is believed to attract divine grace and inner peace.

Sun Energy vs Moon Energy: What Experts Say

Religious scholars associate the right hand with the Sun — a symbol of vitality, strength, and auspiciousness. In contrast, the left hand is connected to the Moon and linked to hidden or subtle energies. For sacred rituals, the strong and positive solar energy of the right hand is considered more appropriate.

This is why everything from offering flowers to lighting incense and accepting prasad is traditionally done with the right hand. It helps channel divine energy more effectively, making your worship more fruitful.

Right Hand = Positive Energy, Left Hand = Material Use

The act of accepting prasad with your right hand isn’t merely symbolic. In spiritual terms, the right hand is seen as a conduit for receiving divine energy. On the other hand, the left hand is reserved for physical or mundane tasks and is not considered ritually pure.

Since prasad is not just food but a form of prasanna (divine favour), it must be accepted in a way that maintains its purity and sanctity. Using the right hand for this simple act can help align your energy, mindset, and spiritual path — one sacred moment at a time.

(Disclaimer: The information provided is based on traditional beliefs and religious texts. News9 Live does not endorse or validate these claims.)