Annadāna to Ecology: The Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions of Food in Indian Knowledge Systems

Abstract Food in Indian civilization has never been limited to mere sustenance—it has been seen as divine (Annam Brahma), ethical, medicinal, and deeply intertwined with ecological and spiritual life. This research explores the multilayered role of food within Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), particularly through the lens of Annadāna (the sacred act of food donation), classical dietary ethics, and ecological sustainability. Drawing from ancient texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Dharmashastras, and Ayurveda, the study examines how culinary traditions reflect and propagate ethical behaviour, social responsibility, environmental harmony, and spiritual consciousness. As food rituals connect the material with the metaphysical, this paper situates Indian culinary knowledge not just as cultural heritage, but as a living system of values relevant to contemporary issues of consumption, sustainability, and wellbeing. The research employs a multidisciplinary methodology combining textual analysis, philosophical interpretation, and comparative frameworks. It analyses primary scriptural references, Ayurvedic dietary theory, and case studies of practices like temple food distribution and community-based farming traditions. The findings reveal that concepts such as Sattva, Ahimsa, and Seva form a moral ecology of food that transcends nutrition, informing human relationships with nature, society, and the self. Furthermore, the act of Annadāna emerges as a microcosm of Indian dharmic thought—where giving food nourishes not only bodies but karmic balance and communal harmony. Traditional Indian foodways also exhibit an innate sustainability ethic through seasonal eating, biodiversity, and minimal waste practices. By reconnecting with these knowledge systems, modern societies can reimagine food not only as a commodity but as an ethical and spiritual resource. This study thus contributes to the revival and integration of IKS in contemporary ethical, environmental, and educational discourses. Keywords: Annadāna, Indian Knowledge Systems, Ecology, Food Ethics, Ayurveda, Sustainability, Culinary Philosophy, Ahimsa, Sattva, Dharma