Premanand ji Maharaj: Ramayana is a very important and sacred text of Hindu religion. It is said that its recitation brings peace to the mind and maintains positivity. But many people recite Ramayana after consuming intoxicants like gutka and tobacco.
In such a situation, a devotee asked Premanand Maharaj at his Radha Hit Kelly Kunj Ashram in Vrindavan whether it is right to recite Ramayana after consuming tobacco or gutka?
What did the devotee say to Premanand Maharaj?
The devotee told Premanand Maharaj that I recite Ramayana and there are some other people who recite it along with me. But they consume tobacco and gutka. I tell them not to do this, but they do not listen to me. He says that it is not written anywhere that one cannot recite Ramayana after consuming tobacco and gutka. The person then asks the Maharaj whether doing so is right or wrong.
What did Premanand Maharaj say?
Answering this question of the person, Premanand Maharaj said that doing so is absolutely wrong. One should never recite Ramayana by consuming gutka, tobacco or any kind of intoxicant. This is very wrong. After this, Premanand Maharaj gave a solution and said that if a person wishes, he can eat paan in which no intoxicant has been added. Reciting this holy book while consuming intoxicants is completely prohibited.