Aniruddha Acharyaji Maharaj is a popular spiritual speaker and guru, and his anecdotes often go viral online, sometimes for the humorous way in which he answers his followers’ questions and also how effortlessly he puts forth the most profound messages.Spirituality often becomes associated with visible practices, what we wear, what we eat, or the rituals we follow. While these disciplines have their own importance, we tend to forget that the real purpose of any practice is inner transformation. A person’s values are reflected not merely in external habits but in the way they speak, think, and treat others in everyday A video from Aniruddha acharyaji Maharaj’s discourses has gone viral where he responds to to a question about wearing a Tulsi mala and consuming onion and garlic. What he answered changed the conversation from dietary restrictions to personal conduct, by giving a thought-provoking reminder that only compels us to think deeper.
Photo: @aniruddhacharyajimaharaj/ Instagram
Can someone wear a Tulsi mala while eating onion and garlic?
It is a question that frequently comes up in spiritual discussions. Responding to this, spiritual speaker Aniruddhacharya Maharaj said that one can consume onion and garlic even while wearing a Tulsi mala. He explained that these foods are generally avoided because they are considered tamasic in many Hindu traditions, but “usse koi paap nahi chadhta” (it does not, by itself, become a sin).But what won listeners hearts, however, was what he said next. Instead of dwelling on food, he asked a thought provoking question about personal conduct. He asked, “Acha bata lehsun pyaz zyada bura hai ki jhooth? Lehsun pyaz zyada bura hai ki kapat?” According to Aniruddhacharya Maharaj, people should first ask themselves whether they have given up lying, deceit, or gossip after wearing a Tulsi mala. If these harmful habits still remain, then those deserve greater attention before worrying about dietary restrictions.
He explains what true spirituality actually is
He further remarked, “Humare yahan kehte hain bade bade paap karen, chote karen lajjaein.” Explaining the saying, he pointed out that many people feel embarrassed about eating onion or garlic, yet think little of speaking lies, indulging in gossip, or deceiving others. In his view, this reflects a misplaced sense of priorities. True spirituality, he suggested, begins with cleansing one’s thoughts, words, and actions.He then concludes adding, “Isiliye jhooth bolna chhod do, chugli karna chhod do. Lehsun pyaz toh chhoot hi jaega.” The essence of his advice was that once a person sincerely progresses on the spiritual path and develops inner discipline, external changes often happen naturally rather than through force.araj’s response reminds us that spirituality is not measured only by what is on our plate, but also by what is in our heart. Giving up dishonesty, gossip, and hypocrisy may be a far more meaningful step toward spiritual growth than focusing only on external symbols of faith.
