FOOD INTAKE ETHICS AS PER OLD HINDU SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
AN EXTRACT FROM THE BOOK " HINDUISM REDISCOVERED " BY ANBIL RAMASWAMY
SECTION 3: AAHARA NIYAMAM
DIETARY REGIMEN-
LORD KRISHNA'S PRESCRIPTION
Like a doctor who studies the symptoms of a patient to diagnose the nature of the disease and then proceeds to prescribe appropriate medicines to cure the causes of the ailment, Lord Krishna has indicated the symptomatic behavior of persons influenced by the various Gunas. He then proceeds to prescribe correctives to improve the health of the soul afflicted by the undesirable Gunas. These correctives are not from any external sources like drugs, pills, caplets, injections etc. but by a simple process of regulating our dietary habits. He catalogues what can be consumed and what should be avoided to augment Satva Guna, and what would trigger Rajo Guna and what would steep one in Tamo Guna.
When you are ill, you take medicines. We also see it marked on the bottles or packages of food items / medicines the contents (e.g.) protein, vitamins, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, folic acid etc. with indication of calories, carbohydrates, fat, cholesterol, sodium, potassium etc. of these items. The chemical compound that constitute the ingredients, break into enzymes etc., and strengthen the natural elements in the body to fight against the killer germs that cause disease.
This is true not only of physical infirmities but also of mental and psychological afflictions. Numerous psychiatric medicines are administered to mental patients to bring them on the road to recovery. Thus, it is clear that even in modern medicine, what is ingested has ‘mind-altering’ effects of the happy kind, while drug, dope etc. have also mind-altering effects of the unpleasant kind.
“Ayurveda” even goes to the extent of asserting that certain types of foods actually tend to prolong life. While no food can really extend life beyond what one is destined, it only means that a dietary regimen can save one from `near-death-experiences' known as “ghandams” - acting as antidotes to the toxic substances that have the potency to cut short life.
"Ayurveda' prescribes that a proper dietary regimen would promote healthy development of both body and mind and reduce, if not totally eliminate, the need for medicines.
The interaction between the body and mind and the role of three Gunas in the process can be recognized by careful observation. When you are depressed in mind, your body debilitates and is unable to function with the optimum efficiency it is normally capable of when your emotions are normal. Conversely, when you are physically healthy, you are able to think clearly, speak effectively and act correctly. If your body runs, your mind also runs as fast; if you fall sick, your mind also suffers a setback. And, mind is only a representative of your `Atma' or soul.
So long as one does not understand the difference between the body and the soul and does not keep the interaction under control - one would be subject to the sway of emotions of pleasure and pain. This difference can be understood and this chain of interaction can be broken only by a `sadhu' (saint) or `satvik' (pious), a person who trains himself by a strict regimen of body - mind control. In other words, these Satviks are those who have achieved a state where bodily conditions do not have any effect on the mind (and therefore the Atma or soul) and vice versa.
Even on the death bed, even when exposed to severest heat or benumbing cold, even while suffering from excruciating pain, even when they have gone without food indefinitely (as in the case of Mahatma Gandhi and Jai Prakash Narain) - they can keep their mental facilities intact and in fact, in finer fettle, more agile and clearer than even when being physically normal. In short, these `Satviks' have divorced the body - mind relationship and broken the chain successfully.
While it is impossible for the average person to achieve this absolute state, it is definitely within the competence of everyone to endeavor to achieve equilibrium in the interplay of the Gunas by proper discipline in habits - the most important of which are food habits. A conscious effort will be required to train oneself in this discipline. This will facilitate a slow but steady advancement leading ultimately to this absolute state. That is why Hinduism advises measures to achieve ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body'.
As the elimination of the effects of Rajo Guna and Tamo Guna would automatically augment the effects of Satva Guna, we will consider the reaction of these Gunas on the mind of a person.
When the `Rajo' type of person goes to a birthday party his mind will yearn to be the `birthday baby'; when he goes to a wedding, his mind would like to don the wedding robe of the groom; when he goes to attend a funeral of `somebody' his mind will not hesitate to be that `somebody'; when he meets one who has achieved fame, wealth or power his mind would at once ask why he should not be `that one'.
Astonishingly avaricious, dubiously devious, and wonderfully wayward are the characteristics of a Rajo type of person. He is impatient to achieve objectives but the very impatience would cause impediments to the very objectives he desires to achieve.
But, one thing is clear. It is in this propensity to incessant activity of the `Rajo' type of persons that the whole world revolves, with attendant pleasures and pains.
When such a person reaches a stage when all his needs had been denied, when his ways had led him to undesirable ends, and when he is immobilized having reached his nadir, when he realizes that after all he had been running after a mirage - then and then only would he realize the efficacy of `Satva' and the deception of `Rajo'.
Let us now consider the effect of Tamo Guna on the mind of a person. He becomes sinful, sluggish, stupid, sullen, dull, depraved, degenerate, devoid of any sense of responsibilities, inert - eating whatever and whenever he gets (even putrefied food) sleeping wherever and whenever he can, and dies when his time comes - he is so lazy that even for putting food into his mouth, he would need someone to help. The only way to retrieve him to normality would be force and flog him into incessant activity.
Our Sages and Seers have laid down the dos and don’ts to help us avoid Tamo Guna completely, regulate Rajo Guna on desirable lines and promote Satva Guna.
For long, it had been fashionable for the westernized Indians themselves to decry Indian vegetarian foods of grains and cereals like rice and wheat which they said were stupid and merely 'belly filling carbohydrates' without any nutritional value. They plumped in for disproportionate doses of vegetables and fruits with a liberal allowance of meat, poultry, fish and eggs. That food habits regulate the body clock and insure against disease and deterioration has been proclaimed by our ancestors but has been accepted by modern research only now:
Leading nutrition organizations and prominent food trade councils have now endorsed the U.S. Department of Agriculture's selection of “Food - guide – pyramid” as the graphics to convey the types and amounts of food that should be consumed daily. Judy Dodd, president of the American dietetic association and Barbara Shannon, President of the Society for nutrition education advocate - "consumption of grains, cereals and rice as the staff of life, followed by fruits and vegetables to make calorie intake more manageable, putting serving sizes in perspective, reducing fats and oil while increasing milk, yogurt and cheese group to ensure a `balanced diet' - as a valuable source of energizing complex carbohydrates while giving a sense of fullness and satisfaction" - 1
It will be seen from this, that the much maligned rice group has now regained its pride of place with over 40 % of the total intake since the 'stupid and belly filling carbohydrates' has not at all been stupid at all, but highly sensible since it has been recognized as an important source of energy with the fruits and vegetables group ranked only secondary to the rice group while the much trumpeted meat and fat group has plummeted to a new low, if not wholly eliminated. Now, the nutrition experts say that such a balanced diet should consist of 'heavy breakfast, light lunch and a lighter dinner'- precisely the reverse of what most people do in the USA.
What the modern researchers are stumbling upon by strenuous efforts over long periods of research by trial and error methods exposing innumerable `subjects' of study to be the `guinea pigs' in their experiments - had been spelled out in unambiguous terms millions of years back by our great sages and seers in our sacred scriptures, "annam pranamayam", `yad annenaarohati' cooked rice is life itself; that which is nourished by rice food' - are sayings pregnant with significance today, as they were in the Vedic, Purusha Suktha days. In fact, `annam' (cooked rice) is equated with `Sri Lakshmi', the goddess of wealth, prosperity and health and therefore worthy of highest regard never to be maligned (Annadvesha)
This `annam' has been variously described as sweet, juicy, pleasant, life saving, life promoting, bestowing equilibrium, strength, health and
happiness both physiologically and psychologically which are the characteristics of `Satvik' type of food.
For it is said `from the Satva, knowledge is born" (BG 14/17). The food that is full of the quality of Satva is the cause of growth of knowledge. They promote energy and health; they also promote pleasure and happiness.
They are enduring in their effects on the tissues of the body and on mental well-being. Such food promote longevity, mental vigor, energy, health, pleasure and happiness as they are full of sweet juices and are rich having lasting effects and agreeable. Such food is dear to those governed by Satva Guna. (BG17/8)
The food that is full of the quality of `Rajo' would trigger such undesirable experiences such as ‘vaatham’ (muscular) “Pittham” (bile) “Kapam” (bronchial) “Vaayu” (gastric) etc. Such foods are bitter, sour, too salty, too hot, too cold, too pungent, astringent, emaciating and inflaming. (BG17/19)
The `Tamo' type of food are those that are not fresh (i.e) kept over for a long time, that have lost their taste, that are consumed by re-heating (as in the Microwave etc) and therefore giving a different taste due to passage of time, those that are left over (and kept in the Refrigerator to be reheated for consumption later), those that are unholy (food bought from Restaurants) in other words those that are not fit as an offering to God, such food is called `amedhya' - (that which is not only not conducive to `medha' or intellect) but positively destructive of intellect and therefore, diverting the mind into undesirable channels. (BG17/10)
Again, as to the quantum of consumption, in BG /16 & 17) Lord Krishna advises moderation in food habits. He says that one who eats too much, one who does not eat at all, one who walks a lot, one who does not walk at all, one who feels exhausted all the time, the one who never get exhausted, one who sleeps all the time (may be by imbibing sedatives) and one who always keeps awake (may be, by imbibing stimulants) such persons will not be able to attain `yoga'. He further avers that yoga is the destroyer of misery to him who has proper food, who is properly active and who has proper sleep and wakefulness (BG 6 /16 and 6 / 17)
We see this in practical life also that people given to extremes in their habits would not be able to function normally physically and / or psychologically because the equilibrium of body and mind is impaired by such extreme habits.
Smriti explains the ideal quantity of food that can be consumed:
"Only half the stomach should be filled with food; one quarter with water; the remaining quarter should be left empty for air to circulate" - 2.
As for the ideal type of food, it should contain all the six tastes viz. sweetness, salty, sourness, bitterness, pungency and astringent.
"Eating moderately, walking 100 feet after taking food, sleeping moderately, speaking moderately, lying on the left side - if one follows this regimen he has no use for a doctor"- 3
Does it not remind us of the saying "after supper, walk a while" etc?
Also, there is a saying- that requires that “one should eat that which is agreeable to the body-system, moderate in quantity, tasteful and vegetarian”. - 4
A person who eats only one full meal a day is a ‘Yogi’ (fit to do yoga); one who eats twice is a ‘Bogi' (fit to enjoy life) and one who eats more than twice is a ‘Rogi’ (fit to suffer disease)'.
It may be mentioned in this connection that while even animals eat only when they are hungry, man is perhaps the only creature who indulges in indiscriminate eating whenever and wherever he finds an opportunity (not necessarily necessity to eat) - drinking, boozing, gobbling up at any time and every time, anywhere and everywhere under pretext of `socializing' and otherwise regardless of the quality or quantity of what is consumed resulting in pernicious syndromes on physical and psychological levels.
‘Ayurveda' also calls attention to six circumstances which contribute to disease: "Too much drinking (including too much intake of food), too much sexual intercourse, day time sleeping, keeping awake at night, suppressing the urge to expel excreta and urine - these six circumstances lead to disease" - 5.
Incidentally, here is another Sloka which describes how one acquires old age prematurely - "Man becomes old by too much walking; horses by not walking; a woman by not having sex; clothes that are dried in heat for long"- 6
SECTION 4: WHAT OUR SASTRAS PERMIT / PROHIBIT IN THE MATTER OF FOOD –
SWMI VEDANTA DESIKA's ADVICE
Right from Vedic literature down to the Itihasas and Puranas, we find scattered references to vegetables and other edibles that can be consumed to ensure augmentation of Satva and those that are better avoided for precluding Rajo and Tamo.
It was however, left to Swami Sri Vedanta Desika who did deep research in this field (as also in all other fields he touched) to incorporate in his work entitled "Ahaara Niyamam', a catalog for ready reference on what can be consumed, what should not be ingested and what can be taken with certain restrictions and even what go without any restrictions also! We attempt below to have a glimpse of the various items as gleaned from 'Ahaara Niyamam' and Srimad Ramayanam in particular. It should be understood that the prohibition is meant only to enable us to regulate consumption in a conscious, cautious way.
Lord Krishna clearly prohibits food that are too sour, hot, salty, too much bile-producing etc. (BG 17/9)
And again, he advises that they who consume food that are time expired, those that have lost taste, those that emanate stale odor, altered taste, mixed with spittle and those not fit to be offered to the Lord should not be eaten. Sri Ramanujacharya's Sri Bashyam `Sarvanna Anumatyati Karanam' Sutras 446 to 448 declare - that in times of danger to life one can consume any food and such intake will not go against Pramanas and Smritis.
But, sutra 449, however, clearly and categorically forbids consumption of liquor even in the face of danger to life -7
The case of one Sage USHASTI is alluded to. Due to famine he and his wife were migrating to a far off place. On the way, the Sage was so exhausted due to starvation that he almost swooned and apprehended his end was near at hand. A mahout who passed by on an elephant offered him some horse gram that the sage readily accepted (though ordinarily prohibited). But when the mahout offered water to drink, the sage declined saying that he took the horse gram only for saving his self from starvation-death and taking water thereafter was not proper since at that point of time, the danger to life had disappeared.
A. Items prohibited on hygienic and prophylactic grounds (like our not using tooth brushes used by others)
Spittle and food contaminated with spittle
Food contaminated by flies, worms, hair, fingernails etc.
Food contaminated by excreta
Food contaminated by cloth, thread, sneeze etc.
Food that has been `smelt' by anybody
Food `that has been tasted' by humans, rodent, crow, hen, cat, dog etc.
Food that has been partially `bitten' by others
Morsel of food partially remaining after eating a portion of it.
Vegetables cooked without first being washed
Fruits, vegetables etc. cut with finger nails
Food prepared by persons who are not clean
Food cooked in other people's homes (Parannam)
Food that has been found fault with
Foods that have been prohibited specifically
Food cooked along with prohibited items
Foods known to be harmful to vital air and the functioning of sense organs
B. ITEMS PROHIBITED ON `SOCIAL' GROUNDS
(like the `Table manners' that we follow these days during formal gatherings like dress regulations that are imposed on us during formal dinners, certain norms and disciplines are prescribed by our traditions).
Some of the restrictions are:
One should not take for self food intended for all
Food meant for others (especially a sick person)
Food kept apportioned for self and guests
Food remaining after feeding a woman in menstruation*
Food prepared specifically for a woman who has just delivered*
Food that has not been offered to `Bhagavan' in the first place (during Aradhana)*
Food before offering to guests (Atiti Satkara)
Food offered to lesser deities (Devatantara)
Food set apart for offering to such deities as per Sastric injunctions
Products (grains, pulses etc.) not offered to God after the harvest
Food offered by Sanyasis directly
Food taken out from the vessel of Sannyasis
Food offered without love and affection
Vegetables, fruits etc. cultivated in dirty places *
Those that are known to affect concentration and meditation
Those that have been specifically advised against by Acharyas and such others
Mixed food distributed by hand
Ghee should not be served after one commences eating
Foods cooked more than once (Punar Pakam)
Cooked food served with iron ladles or bare hands
Salt served directly by hand
Food should not be eaten using left hand
Food should not be eaten holding the plate by hand
Food should not be placed on a seat
Food should not be eaten keeping them on the lap (22 to 25 are precisely what we do during buffet)
Should not eat edibles sitting on the bed
Food should not be eaten without a lamp burning
Moonlight / Fire are no substitutes for a burning lamp
Lime used for making chunnam out of seashells
Bubbles and foam arising from liquids (as while drinking coke, pepsi, coffee etc)
No food can be taken without taking bath and washing hands, and completing ablutions (Parishechanam)
Should not leave without completing the final Parishechanam
Should not eat out of a broken plate or other vessels that are not clean
Note: Items marked * are referred to in Srimad Ramayana (Balakanda) also.
C: Swami Sri Desikan has drawn up an elaborate list of vegetables / products that should not be eaten. We give below the Tamil and popular and / or botanical names of these for general guidance"
But, please do not be put off by this list. He has given another list of exceptions and relaxations under which even some of the prohibited items could be consumed as also yet another list of items that can be consumed freely without restrictions! (Vide Sections (D) and (E).
TAMIL NAME POPULAR AND/ OR BOTANICAL NAME
1. Athi Varieties
-
Ficus
Racemosa
2. Perarku
-
Bauhinia
Racemosa
3. Irali
-
Ficus
Virens
4. Vellai Kathari
White egg plant
white
brinjals
5. Aal
Banyan
-
6. Arasu
Peepal
Ficus
Religiosa
7. Ayil
Chittagong wood
Chickrasia Tabularis
8. Aarai
-
Masculia Quadrifolia
9. Naruvili
-
Cordia Obliqua/Monoria
10. Pungu
-
Dalbergia
11. Thigaipoondu
A plant that causes confusion in mind
12. Kurinji
A shrub
Maruthonri Terminawa
13. Tanri
-
Bellenica
14. Kusumbai
-
Carthamus Tinctorium
15. Velai
-
Cleone Pentaphytta
16. Sivappu/Nattu Murungai
Drumstick
-
Hyperanthera Muringa
-
17. Sukam
Sukampal
-
18. Tamarai Kizhangu
Lotus bulb
Nelumbo Nucifera
19. Ulli
Garlic
-
20. Siriya Avarai
Beans
-
21. Thummatti
-
Callous Leaved Bryonia
22. Therar Kai
Clearing nut
Strychnoo Patatatura
23. Panai
Palmyra palm
-
24. Nayuruvi
-
Achyranthus Aspera
25. Kadambu
-
Eugenica
Racemosa
26. Naikkudai
Mushroom
-
27. Suraikkai
A variety of gourd
-
28. Peerkku
Ridge gourd
-
29. Sanar Keerai
Hemp
-
30. Siru Keerai
-
Amaranthus Gangeticus
31. Sivanda Agathi
-
Cormilla Grandi Flora
32. Purasu
-
Balia Frundosa
33. Pasala
-
Portulaca Obracora
34. Vilvakkai
-
Crataeva Religiosa
35. Madulankai
Unripe Pomogranate
-
36. Varagu
-
Paspalum Frumentaceum
37. Mullangi
Radish
Raphenus Sativus
38. Vengayam
Onion
Allium Cepa
39. Punnakku
Oil cake
40. Pannai keerai
! celosia s.p. !
Exact equivalents not traceable for the following:
|Yeast. Dried brew|
____
41. Noyyir keerai
42. Seenkadan
43. Oovaikkai
44. Rammananthal
45. Khadi
D. THE FOLLOWING CAN BE TAKEN AS EXCEPTIONS TO GENERAL PROHIBITIONS:The remnants of food partaken by father, preceptor and eldest brother.
The remnants of soma juice tasted through the soma vessel during Somayaga.
The remnants of food eaten by wife / husband even if hair, worm, thread etc are found in such remnants, they can be thrown away and the remnants eaten.
In times of danger to life, even prohibited items can be consumed.
During fasting days one can take water, roots, ghee, milk, sacrificial remnants, and medicines - these will not spoil the fast.
If it becomes necessary to eat totally prohibited items in order to save life, a bit of ghee or honey could be mixed with them and taken.
Even those foods that had become rotten can be taken after mixing with ghee. Even other impurities like hair if noticed therein can be removed and thrown away.
Of items that have turned sour, the following can be taken - curds, butter, fruits that became sour due to contact with water, roots, flowers and pickles made out of these (vide Manu Smriti and Srimad Ramayana).
E. THOSE THAT CAN BE TAKEN FREELY WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS:
Sugarcane juice
Curds
Milk (but subject to restrictions listed at H)
Ghee
Sangam
Pepper
Honey
Cardamom
Ice
Betelnut (subject to restrictions listed at J)
Anything fried in fire
Fruits that have ripened on their own
Boiled rice
Vadam
Appam | even if they are old provided they have not lost their taste
Seedai |
Chappathi |
Milk products
Thenkuzhal
Murukku
Medicines prescribed by doctors
Jaggery and flour combined edibles even if old
Wheat flour combined edibles
Side dishes, butter milk, ghee, milk, curds mixed with cooked rice
Cooked rice put in a vessel with clean water
Edibles prepared with curds, milk etc.
Juice of flowers, raw vegetables, fruits, Tender Coconut Water.
F. ITEMS TO BE AVOIDED WITH REFERENCE TO TASTE:
Food overheated so much as to make it inedible
Too much bitter
Too much salty
Too much hot (like chillies)
Too much sour
Those that are too hot (temperature)
Those that are repulsive
All liquids from which the cream has been the essence and has been removed (except buttermilk)
Old food that had become rotten
Food that smells like mud
G. ITEMS TO BE AVOIDED WITH REFERENCE TO TIME OF CONSUMPTION
Food cooked on Ekadasi and other days of fasting should not be consumed
Wood apple and puffed rice should not be taken during day time
Food mixed with sesame should not be taken at night (also referred in Srimad Ramayana)
Food prepared in gingelly (sesame) oil at night
Food prepared with curds at night
No food can be taken at sunrise, sunset and midnight (also referred to in Srimad Ramayana
Husband and wife should not eat together at the same time
H. CONDITIONS REGARDING INTAKE OF MILK.
Milk of animals like mare, donkey etc. which have single hoof (Vide also Srimad Ramayana)
Milk of cow that has given birth to twin calves
Camel's milk
Milk with which salt has got mixed up
Breast milk of women (this is also referred to in Srimad Ramayana)
Cow that is pregnant and cow just ready for sexual intercourse (referred in Srimad Ramayana)
The milk of a cow whose calf had just died
Milk drawn from a cow by showing to it a calf of another cow
Milk that had become sour or bad (also in Srimad Ramaynana)
Milk of cows bearing names of deities other than those of Sriman Narayana
Milk of ewe (Vide also Srimad Ramayana)
Milk purchased from a Brahmin
Milk kept in bronze vessel
Milk overheated to the point of getting charred
Milk and curd taken of milk of cow that has just delivered for at least 10 days after delivery
Milk of other animals of the bovine family except the buffalo
I. RESTRICTIONS REGARDING USE OF WATER
Except Ganges water, no stored up water standing over a day should be used.
Water remaining in a vessel after using part of it for washing feet
Muddy water
Tender coconut water, if heated
Water stagnant in a small pool
Water running across a road
Water given in hotels and water sheds (Tanneer pandals)
Any water purity of which is in doubt
Water down from washer man’s ghats
Water contaminated with spittle
Water held in a conch
Rain water before it falls to the ground
One should not drink water by cupping both the palms (Vide Srimad Ramayana)
J. BETEL ITEMS TO BE AVOIDED
One should not munch betelnut before putting betel leaves in the mouth
The stem, the middle line and the tip of the leaves should be removed before taking betel thambool
One should not munch both betel leaves and betel nut together
Widows, Brahmacharis and Sannyasis should not use betel leaves
One should not take betel leaf on which lime had been kept
During Ekadasi and other days of fasting betel chewing should be scrupulously avoided
While chewing betel one should not drink water at the same time.
SECTION 5: CONCLUSION
As already mentioned these prohibitions and restrictions are only for general guidance. If you desire to regulate / eliminate the Gunas you may choose to follow the instructions and if you do not follow only YOU are the loser to that extent.
The doctor can only help in diagnosing the disease and prescribing appropriate medicines. If the patient desires an expeditious and effective cure, the patient will have to scrupulously follow the instructions, the patient is free either to follow or flout the instructions with attendant consequences.
And, now it is in your hands to choose either course on the road to your spiritual regeneration or degeneration.
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SECTION 3: AAHARA NIYAMAM
DIETARY REGIMEN-
LORD KRISHNA'S PRESCRIPTION
Like a doctor who studies the symptoms of a patient to diagnose the nature of the disease and then proceeds to prescribe appropriate medicines to cure the causes of the ailment, Lord Krishna has indicated the symptomatic behavior of persons influenced by the various Gunas. He then proceeds to prescribe correctives to improve the health of the soul afflicted by the undesirable Gunas. These correctives are not from any external sources like drugs, pills, caplets, injections etc. but by a simple process of regulating our dietary habits. He catalogues what can be consumed and what should be avoided to augment Satva Guna, and what would trigger Rajo Guna and what would steep one in Tamo Guna.
When you are ill, you take medicines. We also see it marked on the bottles or packages of food items / medicines the contents (e.g.) protein, vitamins, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, folic acid etc. with indication of calories, carbohydrates, fat, cholesterol, sodium, potassium etc. of these items. The chemical compound that constitute the ingredients, break into enzymes etc., and strengthen the natural elements in the body to fight against the killer germs that cause disease.
This is true not only of physical infirmities but also of mental and psychological afflictions. Numerous psychiatric medicines are administered to mental patients to bring them on the road to recovery. Thus, it is clear that even in modern medicine, what is ingested has ‘mind-altering’ effects of the happy kind, while drug, dope etc. have also mind-altering effects of the unpleasant kind.
“Ayurveda” even goes to the extent of asserting that certain types of foods actually tend to prolong life. While no food can really extend life beyond what one is destined, it only means that a dietary regimen can save one from `near-death-experiences' known as “ghandams” - acting as antidotes to the toxic substances that have the potency to cut short life.
"Ayurveda' prescribes that a proper dietary regimen would promote healthy development of both body and mind and reduce, if not totally eliminate, the need for medicines.
The interaction between the body and mind and the role of three Gunas in the process can be recognized by careful observation. When you are depressed in mind, your body debilitates and is unable to function with the optimum efficiency it is normally capable of when your emotions are normal. Conversely, when you are physically healthy, you are able to think clearly, speak effectively and act correctly. If your body runs, your mind also runs as fast; if you fall sick, your mind also suffers a setback. And, mind is only a representative of your `Atma' or soul.
So long as one does not understand the difference between the body and the soul and does not keep the interaction under control - one would be subject to the sway of emotions of pleasure and pain. This difference can be understood and this chain of interaction can be broken only by a `sadhu' (saint) or `satvik' (pious), a person who trains himself by a strict regimen of body - mind control. In other words, these Satviks are those who have achieved a state where bodily conditions do not have any effect on the mind (and therefore the Atma or soul) and vice versa.
Even on the death bed, even when exposed to severest heat or benumbing cold, even while suffering from excruciating pain, even when they have gone without food indefinitely (as in the case of Mahatma Gandhi and Jai Prakash Narain) - they can keep their mental facilities intact and in fact, in finer fettle, more agile and clearer than even when being physically normal. In short, these `Satviks' have divorced the body - mind relationship and broken the chain successfully.
While it is impossible for the average person to achieve this absolute state, it is definitely within the competence of everyone to endeavor to achieve equilibrium in the interplay of the Gunas by proper discipline in habits - the most important of which are food habits. A conscious effort will be required to train oneself in this discipline. This will facilitate a slow but steady advancement leading ultimately to this absolute state. That is why Hinduism advises measures to achieve ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body'.
As the elimination of the effects of Rajo Guna and Tamo Guna would automatically augment the effects of Satva Guna, we will consider the reaction of these Gunas on the mind of a person.
When the `Rajo' type of person goes to a birthday party his mind will yearn to be the `birthday baby'; when he goes to a wedding, his mind would like to don the wedding robe of the groom; when he goes to attend a funeral of `somebody' his mind will not hesitate to be that `somebody'; when he meets one who has achieved fame, wealth or power his mind would at once ask why he should not be `that one'.
Astonishingly avaricious, dubiously devious, and wonderfully wayward are the characteristics of a Rajo type of person. He is impatient to achieve objectives but the very impatience would cause impediments to the very objectives he desires to achieve.
But, one thing is clear. It is in this propensity to incessant activity of the `Rajo' type of persons that the whole world revolves, with attendant pleasures and pains.
When such a person reaches a stage when all his needs had been denied, when his ways had led him to undesirable ends, and when he is immobilized having reached his nadir, when he realizes that after all he had been running after a mirage - then and then only would he realize the efficacy of `Satva' and the deception of `Rajo'.
Let us now consider the effect of Tamo Guna on the mind of a person. He becomes sinful, sluggish, stupid, sullen, dull, depraved, degenerate, devoid of any sense of responsibilities, inert - eating whatever and whenever he gets (even putrefied food) sleeping wherever and whenever he can, and dies when his time comes - he is so lazy that even for putting food into his mouth, he would need someone to help. The only way to retrieve him to normality would be force and flog him into incessant activity.
Our Sages and Seers have laid down the dos and don’ts to help us avoid Tamo Guna completely, regulate Rajo Guna on desirable lines and promote Satva Guna.
For long, it had been fashionable for the westernized Indians themselves to decry Indian vegetarian foods of grains and cereals like rice and wheat which they said were stupid and merely 'belly filling carbohydrates' without any nutritional value. They plumped in for disproportionate doses of vegetables and fruits with a liberal allowance of meat, poultry, fish and eggs. That food habits regulate the body clock and insure against disease and deterioration has been proclaimed by our ancestors but has been accepted by modern research only now:
Leading nutrition organizations and prominent food trade councils have now endorsed the U.S. Department of Agriculture's selection of “Food - guide – pyramid” as the graphics to convey the types and amounts of food that should be consumed daily. Judy Dodd, president of the American dietetic association and Barbara Shannon, President of the Society for nutrition education advocate - "consumption of grains, cereals and rice as the staff of life, followed by fruits and vegetables to make calorie intake more manageable, putting serving sizes in perspective, reducing fats and oil while increasing milk, yogurt and cheese group to ensure a `balanced diet' - as a valuable source of energizing complex carbohydrates while giving a sense of fullness and satisfaction" - 1
It will be seen from this, that the much maligned rice group has now regained its pride of place with over 40 % of the total intake since the 'stupid and belly filling carbohydrates' has not at all been stupid at all, but highly sensible since it has been recognized as an important source of energy with the fruits and vegetables group ranked only secondary to the rice group while the much trumpeted meat and fat group has plummeted to a new low, if not wholly eliminated. Now, the nutrition experts say that such a balanced diet should consist of 'heavy breakfast, light lunch and a lighter dinner'- precisely the reverse of what most people do in the USA.
What the modern researchers are stumbling upon by strenuous efforts over long periods of research by trial and error methods exposing innumerable `subjects' of study to be the `guinea pigs' in their experiments - had been spelled out in unambiguous terms millions of years back by our great sages and seers in our sacred scriptures, "annam pranamayam", `yad annenaarohati' cooked rice is life itself; that which is nourished by rice food' - are sayings pregnant with significance today, as they were in the Vedic, Purusha Suktha days. In fact, `annam' (cooked rice) is equated with `Sri Lakshmi', the goddess of wealth, prosperity and health and therefore worthy of highest regard never to be maligned (Annadvesha)
This `annam' has been variously described as sweet, juicy, pleasant, life saving, life promoting, bestowing equilibrium, strength, health and
happiness both physiologically and psychologically which are the characteristics of `Satvik' type of food.
For it is said `from the Satva, knowledge is born" (BG 14/17). The food that is full of the quality of Satva is the cause of growth of knowledge. They promote energy and health; they also promote pleasure and happiness.
They are enduring in their effects on the tissues of the body and on mental well-being. Such food promote longevity, mental vigor, energy, health, pleasure and happiness as they are full of sweet juices and are rich having lasting effects and agreeable. Such food is dear to those governed by Satva Guna. (BG17/8)
The food that is full of the quality of `Rajo' would trigger such undesirable experiences such as ‘vaatham’ (muscular) “Pittham” (bile) “Kapam” (bronchial) “Vaayu” (gastric) etc. Such foods are bitter, sour, too salty, too hot, too cold, too pungent, astringent, emaciating and inflaming. (BG17/19)
The `Tamo' type of food are those that are not fresh (i.e) kept over for a long time, that have lost their taste, that are consumed by re-heating (as in the Microwave etc) and therefore giving a different taste due to passage of time, those that are left over (and kept in the Refrigerator to be reheated for consumption later), those that are unholy (food bought from Restaurants) in other words those that are not fit as an offering to God, such food is called `amedhya' - (that which is not only not conducive to `medha' or intellect) but positively destructive of intellect and therefore, diverting the mind into undesirable channels. (BG17/10)
Again, as to the quantum of consumption, in BG /16 & 17) Lord Krishna advises moderation in food habits. He says that one who eats too much, one who does not eat at all, one who walks a lot, one who does not walk at all, one who feels exhausted all the time, the one who never get exhausted, one who sleeps all the time (may be by imbibing sedatives) and one who always keeps awake (may be, by imbibing stimulants) such persons will not be able to attain `yoga'. He further avers that yoga is the destroyer of misery to him who has proper food, who is properly active and who has proper sleep and wakefulness (BG 6 /16 and 6 / 17)
We see this in practical life also that people given to extremes in their habits would not be able to function normally physically and / or psychologically because the equilibrium of body and mind is impaired by such extreme habits.
Smriti explains the ideal quantity of food that can be consumed:
"Only half the stomach should be filled with food; one quarter with water; the remaining quarter should be left empty for air to circulate" - 2.
As for the ideal type of food, it should contain all the six tastes viz. sweetness, salty, sourness, bitterness, pungency and astringent.
"Eating moderately, walking 100 feet after taking food, sleeping moderately, speaking moderately, lying on the left side - if one follows this regimen he has no use for a doctor"- 3
Does it not remind us of the saying "after supper, walk a while" etc?
Also, there is a saying- that requires that “one should eat that which is agreeable to the body-system, moderate in quantity, tasteful and vegetarian”. - 4
A person who eats only one full meal a day is a ‘Yogi’ (fit to do yoga); one who eats twice is a ‘Bogi' (fit to enjoy life) and one who eats more than twice is a ‘Rogi’ (fit to suffer disease)'.
It may be mentioned in this connection that while even animals eat only when they are hungry, man is perhaps the only creature who indulges in indiscriminate eating whenever and wherever he finds an opportunity (not necessarily necessity to eat) - drinking, boozing, gobbling up at any time and every time, anywhere and everywhere under pretext of `socializing' and otherwise regardless of the quality or quantity of what is consumed resulting in pernicious syndromes on physical and psychological levels.
‘Ayurveda' also calls attention to six circumstances which contribute to disease: "Too much drinking (including too much intake of food), too much sexual intercourse, day time sleeping, keeping awake at night, suppressing the urge to expel excreta and urine - these six circumstances lead to disease" - 5.
Incidentally, here is another Sloka which describes how one acquires old age prematurely - "Man becomes old by too much walking; horses by not walking; a woman by not having sex; clothes that are dried in heat for long"- 6
SECTION 4: WHAT OUR SASTRAS PERMIT / PROHIBIT IN THE MATTER OF FOOD –
SWMI VEDANTA DESIKA's ADVICE
Right from Vedic literature down to the Itihasas and Puranas, we find scattered references to vegetables and other edibles that can be consumed to ensure augmentation of Satva and those that are better avoided for precluding Rajo and Tamo.
It was however, left to Swami Sri Vedanta Desika who did deep research in this field (as also in all other fields he touched) to incorporate in his work entitled "Ahaara Niyamam', a catalog for ready reference on what can be consumed, what should not be ingested and what can be taken with certain restrictions and even what go without any restrictions also! We attempt below to have a glimpse of the various items as gleaned from 'Ahaara Niyamam' and Srimad Ramayanam in particular. It should be understood that the prohibition is meant only to enable us to regulate consumption in a conscious, cautious way.
Lord Krishna clearly prohibits food that are too sour, hot, salty, too much bile-producing etc. (BG 17/9)
And again, he advises that they who consume food that are time expired, those that have lost taste, those that emanate stale odor, altered taste, mixed with spittle and those not fit to be offered to the Lord should not be eaten. Sri Ramanujacharya's Sri Bashyam `Sarvanna Anumatyati Karanam' Sutras 446 to 448 declare - that in times of danger to life one can consume any food and such intake will not go against Pramanas and Smritis.
But, sutra 449, however, clearly and categorically forbids consumption of liquor even in the face of danger to life -7
The case of one Sage USHASTI is alluded to. Due to famine he and his wife were migrating to a far off place. On the way, the Sage was so exhausted due to starvation that he almost swooned and apprehended his end was near at hand. A mahout who passed by on an elephant offered him some horse gram that the sage readily accepted (though ordinarily prohibited). But when the mahout offered water to drink, the sage declined saying that he took the horse gram only for saving his self from starvation-death and taking water thereafter was not proper since at that point of time, the danger to life had disappeared.
A. Items prohibited on hygienic and prophylactic grounds (like our not using tooth brushes used by others)
Spittle and food contaminated with spittle
Food contaminated by flies, worms, hair, fingernails etc.
Food contaminated by excreta
Food contaminated by cloth, thread, sneeze etc.
Food that has been `smelt' by anybody
Food `that has been tasted' by humans, rodent, crow, hen, cat, dog etc.
Food that has been partially `bitten' by others
Morsel of food partially remaining after eating a portion of it.
Vegetables cooked without first being washed
Fruits, vegetables etc. cut with finger nails
Food prepared by persons who are not clean
Food cooked in other people's homes (Parannam)
Food that has been found fault with
Foods that have been prohibited specifically
Food cooked along with prohibited items
Foods known to be harmful to vital air and the functioning of sense organs
B. ITEMS PROHIBITED ON `SOCIAL' GROUNDS
(like the `Table manners' that we follow these days during formal gatherings like dress regulations that are imposed on us during formal dinners, certain norms and disciplines are prescribed by our traditions).
Some of the restrictions are:
One should not take for self food intended for all
Food meant for others (especially a sick person)
Food kept apportioned for self and guests
Food remaining after feeding a woman in menstruation*
Food prepared specifically for a woman who has just delivered*
Food that has not been offered to `Bhagavan' in the first place (during Aradhana)*
Food before offering to guests (Atiti Satkara)
Food offered to lesser deities (Devatantara)
Food set apart for offering to such deities as per Sastric injunctions
Products (grains, pulses etc.) not offered to God after the harvest
Food offered by Sanyasis directly
Food taken out from the vessel of Sannyasis
Food offered without love and affection
Vegetables, fruits etc. cultivated in dirty places *
Those that are known to affect concentration and meditation
Those that have been specifically advised against by Acharyas and such others
Mixed food distributed by hand
Ghee should not be served after one commences eating
Foods cooked more than once (Punar Pakam)
Cooked food served with iron ladles or bare hands
Salt served directly by hand
Food should not be eaten using left hand
Food should not be eaten holding the plate by hand
Food should not be placed on a seat
Food should not be eaten keeping them on the lap (22 to 25 are precisely what we do during buffet)
Should not eat edibles sitting on the bed
Food should not be eaten without a lamp burning
Moonlight / Fire are no substitutes for a burning lamp
Lime used for making chunnam out of seashells
Bubbles and foam arising from liquids (as while drinking coke, pepsi, coffee etc)
No food can be taken without taking bath and washing hands, and completing ablutions (Parishechanam)
Should not leave without completing the final Parishechanam
Should not eat out of a broken plate or other vessels that are not clean
Note: Items marked * are referred to in Srimad Ramayana (Balakanda) also.
C: Swami Sri Desikan has drawn up an elaborate list of vegetables / products that should not be eaten. We give below the Tamil and popular and / or botanical names of these for general guidance"
But, please do not be put off by this list. He has given another list of exceptions and relaxations under which even some of the prohibited items could be consumed as also yet another list of items that can be consumed freely without restrictions! (Vide Sections (D) and (E).
TAMIL NAME POPULAR AND/ OR BOTANICAL NAME
1. Athi Varieties
-
Ficus
Racemosa
2. Perarku
-
Bauhinia
Racemosa
3. Irali
-
Ficus
Virens
4. Vellai Kathari
White egg plant
white
brinjals
5. Aal
Banyan
-
6. Arasu
Peepal
Ficus
Religiosa
7. Ayil
Chittagong wood
Chickrasia Tabularis
8. Aarai
-
Masculia Quadrifolia
9. Naruvili
-
Cordia Obliqua/Monoria
10. Pungu
-
Dalbergia
11. Thigaipoondu
A plant that causes confusion in mind
12. Kurinji
A shrub
Maruthonri Terminawa
13. Tanri
-
Bellenica
14. Kusumbai
-
Carthamus Tinctorium
15. Velai
-
Cleone Pentaphytta
16. Sivappu/Nattu Murungai
Drumstick
-
Hyperanthera Muringa
-
17. Sukam
Sukampal
-
18. Tamarai Kizhangu
Lotus bulb
Nelumbo Nucifera
19. Ulli
Garlic
-
20. Siriya Avarai
Beans
-
21. Thummatti
-
Callous Leaved Bryonia
22. Therar Kai
Clearing nut
Strychnoo Patatatura
23. Panai
Palmyra palm
-
24. Nayuruvi
-
Achyranthus Aspera
25. Kadambu
-
Eugenica
Racemosa
26. Naikkudai
Mushroom
-
27. Suraikkai
A variety of gourd
-
28. Peerkku
Ridge gourd
-
29. Sanar Keerai
Hemp
-
30. Siru Keerai
-
Amaranthus Gangeticus
31. Sivanda Agathi
-
Cormilla Grandi Flora
32. Purasu
-
Balia Frundosa
33. Pasala
-
Portulaca Obracora
34. Vilvakkai
-
Crataeva Religiosa
35. Madulankai
Unripe Pomogranate
-
36. Varagu
-
Paspalum Frumentaceum
37. Mullangi
Radish
Raphenus Sativus
38. Vengayam
Onion
Allium Cepa
39. Punnakku
Oil cake
40. Pannai keerai
! celosia s.p. !
Exact equivalents not traceable for the following:
|Yeast. Dried brew|
____
41. Noyyir keerai
42. Seenkadan
43. Oovaikkai
44. Rammananthal
45. Khadi
D. THE FOLLOWING CAN BE TAKEN AS EXCEPTIONS TO GENERAL PROHIBITIONS:The remnants of food partaken by father, preceptor and eldest brother.
The remnants of soma juice tasted through the soma vessel during Somayaga.
The remnants of food eaten by wife / husband even if hair, worm, thread etc are found in such remnants, they can be thrown away and the remnants eaten.
In times of danger to life, even prohibited items can be consumed.
During fasting days one can take water, roots, ghee, milk, sacrificial remnants, and medicines - these will not spoil the fast.
If it becomes necessary to eat totally prohibited items in order to save life, a bit of ghee or honey could be mixed with them and taken.
Even those foods that had become rotten can be taken after mixing with ghee. Even other impurities like hair if noticed therein can be removed and thrown away.
Of items that have turned sour, the following can be taken - curds, butter, fruits that became sour due to contact with water, roots, flowers and pickles made out of these (vide Manu Smriti and Srimad Ramayana).
E. THOSE THAT CAN BE TAKEN FREELY WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS:
Sugarcane juice
Curds
Milk (but subject to restrictions listed at H)
Ghee
Sangam
Pepper
Honey
Cardamom
Ice
Betelnut (subject to restrictions listed at J)
Anything fried in fire
Fruits that have ripened on their own
Boiled rice
Vadam
Appam | even if they are old provided they have not lost their taste
Seedai |
Chappathi |
Milk products
Thenkuzhal
Murukku
Medicines prescribed by doctors
Jaggery and flour combined edibles even if old
Wheat flour combined edibles
Side dishes, butter milk, ghee, milk, curds mixed with cooked rice
Cooked rice put in a vessel with clean water
Edibles prepared with curds, milk etc.
Juice of flowers, raw vegetables, fruits, Tender Coconut Water.
F. ITEMS TO BE AVOIDED WITH REFERENCE TO TASTE:
Food overheated so much as to make it inedible
Too much bitter
Too much salty
Too much hot (like chillies)
Too much sour
Those that are too hot (temperature)
Those that are repulsive
All liquids from which the cream has been the essence and has been removed (except buttermilk)
Old food that had become rotten
Food that smells like mud
G. ITEMS TO BE AVOIDED WITH REFERENCE TO TIME OF CONSUMPTION
Food cooked on Ekadasi and other days of fasting should not be consumed
Wood apple and puffed rice should not be taken during day time
Food mixed with sesame should not be taken at night (also referred in Srimad Ramayana)
Food prepared in gingelly (sesame) oil at night
Food prepared with curds at night
No food can be taken at sunrise, sunset and midnight (also referred to in Srimad Ramayana
Husband and wife should not eat together at the same time
H. CONDITIONS REGARDING INTAKE OF MILK.
Milk of animals like mare, donkey etc. which have single hoof (Vide also Srimad Ramayana)
Milk of cow that has given birth to twin calves
Camel's milk
Milk with which salt has got mixed up
Breast milk of women (this is also referred to in Srimad Ramayana)
Cow that is pregnant and cow just ready for sexual intercourse (referred in Srimad Ramayana)
The milk of a cow whose calf had just died
Milk drawn from a cow by showing to it a calf of another cow
Milk that had become sour or bad (also in Srimad Ramaynana)
Milk of cows bearing names of deities other than those of Sriman Narayana
Milk of ewe (Vide also Srimad Ramayana)
Milk purchased from a Brahmin
Milk kept in bronze vessel
Milk overheated to the point of getting charred
Milk and curd taken of milk of cow that has just delivered for at least 10 days after delivery
Milk of other animals of the bovine family except the buffalo
I. RESTRICTIONS REGARDING USE OF WATER
Except Ganges water, no stored up water standing over a day should be used.
Water remaining in a vessel after using part of it for washing feet
Muddy water
Tender coconut water, if heated
Water stagnant in a small pool
Water running across a road
Water given in hotels and water sheds (Tanneer pandals)
Any water purity of which is in doubt
Water down from washer man’s ghats
Water contaminated with spittle
Water held in a conch
Rain water before it falls to the ground
One should not drink water by cupping both the palms (Vide Srimad Ramayana)
J. BETEL ITEMS TO BE AVOIDED
One should not munch betelnut before putting betel leaves in the mouth
The stem, the middle line and the tip of the leaves should be removed before taking betel thambool
One should not munch both betel leaves and betel nut together
Widows, Brahmacharis and Sannyasis should not use betel leaves
One should not take betel leaf on which lime had been kept
During Ekadasi and other days of fasting betel chewing should be scrupulously avoided
While chewing betel one should not drink water at the same time.
SECTION 5: CONCLUSION
As already mentioned these prohibitions and restrictions are only for general guidance. If you desire to regulate / eliminate the Gunas you may choose to follow the instructions and if you do not follow only YOU are the loser to that extent.
The doctor can only help in diagnosing the disease and prescribing appropriate medicines. If the patient desires an expeditious and effective cure, the patient will have to scrupulously follow the instructions, the patient is free either to follow or flout the instructions with attendant consequences.
And, now it is in your hands to choose either course on the road to your spiritual regeneration or degeneration.
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posted by N.S.Char at 8:38 PM
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