Science of Good Health:Eating Right the Bhagavad Gita Way

As a nutritionist, I come across various kinds of literature on nutrition, varied dietary patterns, eating behaviours, lifestyle modifications etc. Reflecting back, I conclude that most of this knowledge we already know, it’s been passed onto us from our mothers and grandmothers…it’s in our system but we’ve lost the thread somewhere!

We come from the land of Ayurveda, from the land of Krishna. Developed centuries ago, his knowledge as passed on in the Bhagavad Gita remains true even today.

To quote, “Yukaharaviharasya yuktachestasya karmasu. Yuktasvapnavabodhasya yoga bhavati duhkhaha”. (Bhagavad Gita chapter 6 shloka 17).

It means “the one, whose diet and movements are balanced, whose actions are proper., whose hours of sleeping and waking up are regular, and who follows the path of meditation, is the destroyer of pain or unhappiness.” 

Thus, if you read carefully, the Bhagavad Gita clearly explains how we can optimize our health and wellbeing through eating right, balanced sleep and exercise.

We are what we eat – the importance of eating right:

The origins of this sage advice come from ancient traditions which guided us on how to harmonize ourselves with the Greater Universe that exists within and around us.

As Krishna says in The Bhagavad-Gita 17 Chapter 8–10 Verse.

“Foods in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one’s existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such nourishing foods are sweet, juicy and palatable. Foods that are too bitter, too sour,too  salty, pungent, dry and hot, are liked by people in the modes of passion. Such foods cause pain, distress, and disease. Food cooked more than three hours before being eaten, which is tasteless, stale, putrid, decomposed and unclean, is food liked by people in the mode of ignorance.”

Thus, the food we eat not only nourishes our body but also affects our mind and emotions. As per scriptures, nature, which is a primary force of life is composed of three qualities called Gunas. These are Sattva (Tranquil or subtle energy), Rajas (Active energy) and Tamas (dull energy).

Like all things in the universe, the food we eat also has one or more of these qualities or energies that affect our mind, body and soul. Therefore, food is divided into Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic foods and each of these affect our mind, body and soul.

Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamsic Foods

Sattvic Foods

āyuḥ-sattva-balārogya-sukha-prīti-vivardhanāḥ
rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛidyā āhārāḥ sāttvika-priyāḥ

(chapter 17, verse 8)

Satvic foods promotes longevity, virtue, strength, health, happiness, and joy are juicy, smooth, substantial, and nutritious. 

Sattvic food is always fresh, natural (very less or no further processing on food), freshly cooked and lightly seasoned. It is a wholesome meal which consists of whole grains and legumes and fresh and organic vegetables and fruits.

Rajasic Foods

kaṭv-amla-lavaṇāty-uṣhṇa- tīkṣhṇa-rūkṣha-vidāhinaḥ
āhārā rājasasyeṣhṭā duḥkha-śhokāmaya-pradāḥ (chapter 17, verse 9)

Rajasic foods are those that are very bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry, and burning.

An excess of flavour defines Rajasic foods. Rajasic foods are irritants and stimulants. Any canned food (fruits, beans, vegetables) that are sweetened or salted are Rajasic. Also Bottled Fruit Juices and Fermented Foods are Rajasic in nature. All tempting foods come under the category of Rajasic food. This includes fish, meat, eggs, sharp spices and stimulants such as coffee, tea, chocolate etc

Tamasic Food

yāta-yāmaṁ gata-rasaṁ pūti paryuṣhitaṁ cha yat
uchchhiṣhṭam api chāmedhyaṁ bhojanaṁ tāmasa-priyam (chapter 17, verse 10)

The foods are stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten, refuses and impure.

This includes over-processed, no longer fresh, and difficult to digest foods. It also includes food that is prepared unconsciously or with the distracted mind. Examples include French fries, pickles, preserved meats, hard liquor etc.

All 3 of these qualities (Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic) are necessary for survival and to move in a progressive direction in life.

A Sattvic mind has a calm, clear, creative thinking that allows it to easily find effective solutions to life’s problems. Then we need a little bit of Rajas to implement these creative ideas and solutions. A little bit of Tamas is required to bring these activities to an end when the problem is actually been solved.

How to Balance Your Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic Diet:

The base of our diet should always be Sattvic. As mentioned above, the majority of your diet should consist of fresh or freshly prepared grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, milk, ghee (clarified butter), cold pressed oils and natural sweeteners (Honey, Jaggery).

We need just a small amount of Rajasic foods to stimulate creativity and Tamasic food can be helpful when an excess of Rajas is present to bring the stability.

Keeping Your “Inner Flame” Burning Bright Through Diet

 “You are only as old as your Agni” – Dr Vasant Lad

According to ancient wisdom, we have our own mini-sun, also known as inner flame within us. Just as if the sun were to disappear, all life would come to an end. Similarly, if our inner flame were to be extinguished, we would also die.

Physical and mental strength, enthusiasm and courage, and especially longevity and overall health are all said to be directly related to the health of our agni.

We can protect and balance our inner Agni via the proper consumption of food and drinks in the right quantities and at the right times, keeping the seasonal effects of foods in mind.

In Conclusion

To conclude, I’d like to say moderation is the key. Educate yourself on proper nutrition, be kind to your body, and see what foods work for you.

Lord Krishna also spoke about spiritually charged foods. When food is prepared with love and consumed mindfully and with reverence, the body is believed to become filled with health, serenity, vitality, hope, and joy.

Do try and incorporate Sattvic food into your lifestyle with small steps at a time.

Wishing you all abundant physical, mental, and spiritual health this Janamashtmi – Jai Shri Krishna!

 

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