food and the body
Why is sugar or something sweet traditionally eaten before an auspicious task or journey?
What the tradition says
Eating something sweet before an auspicious task is called shagun, a custom meant to bring good fortune and calm. The most common form is dahi-shakkar, curd mixed with sugar or jaggery. The sweetness is seen as auspicious in itself—it is linked to good beginnings and smooth outcomes. Before exams, travel, starting a new job, or any important step, a family member often gives the person a small spoonful. The act is both a blessing and a practical gesture meant to settle the nerves and clear the mind.
The Ayurvedic view
In Ayurveda, the sweet taste is believed to calm Vata, the quality linked to air, movement, and anxiety. Before a task that makes you nervous or restless—like travel or an exam—sweet foods are thought to ground you and bring steadiness. Curd adds coolness and a gentle quality. Together, they are seen as a light, calming food that does not burden the stomach but settles the mind. This is why curd and sugar, rather than a heavy sweet, is the traditional choice.
In everyday life today
The custom is still common in Indian homes and among the diaspora. Before a child sits for an exam, a parent often offers a spoonful of dahi-shakkar. Before a long journey, a family member may give it as a send-off. Some families use honey, jaggery, or a small sweet instead. The practice varies by region and household. Many people keep it as a ritual that feels grounding and brings a moment of care before something important. Whether it changes the outcome or not, the gesture itself—someone offering you something sweet and wishing you well—carries meaning.