Valentine’s Day Chocolate: A Bhakti Yoga Perspective

Valentine's Day is about love and giving gifts. Chocolate is a common gift. But in Bhakti Yoga, offering chocolate to gods is not typical.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show your love than with chocolates? Chocolate Day is February 9th, a day for sweet treats. Giving chocolate is a loving gesture. It's a popular Valentine's Week gift. But there's a surprising fact about chocolate. This fact might make you reconsider offering it to God in Bhakti Yoga.

Why Chocolates Are Not Offered in Bhakti Yoga

Devotees practicing Bhakti Yoga usually don’t offer chocolates to the Lord or God. This might be surprising since everyone loves chocolate, but there’s a reason for it. The way chocolates are made includes an ingredient that makes them not suitable for offerings in Bhakti Yoga.

Chocolates are made from cocoa beans, which come from cocoa trees. Cockroaches are naturally drawn to the beans during harvesting. Even with thorough cleaning, some parts of the cockroaches can end up in the cocoa. As a result, the final product—chocolate—contains traces of cockroach parts.

Devotees practicing Bhakti Yoga avoid offering food that is considered impure or unclean. Since chocolates may contain unwanted elements, they are not seen as suitable for offering to the Lord. This practice highlights the importance of purity and cleanliness in Bhakti Yoga.

Chocolate and its place in Valentine's Day

In Japan, the tradition of giving chocolate on Valentine's Day was introduced in 1936 by Morozoff Ltd., initially targeting foreigners. Later, in 1953, the company promoted heart-shaped chocolates, a custom that other confectionery companies soon adopted. By the 1960s, women started giving chocolates to men, possibly due to a translation mistake. In Japan, office ladies give chocolate to co-workers. They separate it into two types: giri-choko (chocolate out of obligation) and honmei-choko (chocolate from the heart).

But, giving chocolate might not fit with Bhakti Yoga beliefs. It might not be the right way to honor God.

Alternative expressions of Love and Devotion

Chocolates may not be the best offering in Bhakti Yoga, but there are many other ways to show love and devotion on Valentine's Day. Acts of kindness, selfless service, and meditation fit better with Bhakti Yoga. You can offer prayers, sing devotional songs, or help others to show love for the divine and for people around you.

In February 2023, the Animal Welfare Board of India appealed to Indians to celebrate February 14 as "Cow Hug Day" for "emotional richness". The newspaper said that in Indian culture, cows are considered as sacred as a mother.

Chocolate Day: A Celebration of Love

Chocolates may not be offered in Bhakti Yoga, but they are still a beloved gift for Valentine's Day. On Chocolate Day, February 9th, couples exchange chocolates to show love. The tradition of giving chocolates on Valentine's Day began in the early 20th century and has become more popular over time.

Chocolate's sweet taste brings happiness and pleasure. It is a great gift to show love. A box of assorted chocolates, a heart-shaped chocolate, or a gourmet chocolate basket will surely make your loved one smile.

In conclusion, while chocolates may not be suitable for offerings in Bhakti Yoga because of their impurity, they are still a popular way to show love on Valentine's Day. Bhakti Yoga encourages other ways to show devotion, like acts of kindness, prayer, or selfless service. Chocolate Day, on February 9th, is a chance to share love with those close to us. Whether for offerings or celebrations, the true meaning of love comes from the purity of our intentions and actions.