Srimad Bhagavad-Gita : Chapter-17, Sraddha-traya-vibhaga-yogam : Slokam-9.

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Monday, September 20, 2021. 8:30. AM.
Srimad Bhagavad-Gita
Chapter-17. Sraddha-traya-vibhaga-yogam : 

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Slokam-9 :

"Katv-amla-lavanaty-ushna- tikshna-ruksha-vidahinah

ahara rajasasyeshta duhkha-shokamaya-pradah."

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Translation :

kaṭu—bitter; 

amla—sour; 

lavaṇa—salty; 

ati-uṣhṇa—very hot; 

tīkṣhṇa—pungent; 

rūkṣha—dry; 

vidāhinaḥ—chiliful; 

āhārāḥ—food; 

rājasasya—to persons in the mode of passion; 

iṣhṭāḥ—dear; 

duḥkha—pain; 

śhoka—grief; 

āmaya—disease;

pradāḥ—produce

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Tatvam ( Essence of the slokam in one line ) :

Gita - 17.9: Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry, and chiliful, are dear to persons in the mode of passion. Such foods produce pain, grief, and disease.

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Commentary :

We now examine the characteristics of food that is loved by one whose faith is raajasic. Shri Krishna says that food which has sharp flavours, any food that is excessively bitter, sour, salty, spicy, pungent, dry or causes a burning sensation in the tongue and stomach, all this comes under the category of raajasic food. Now this does not mean all such food is to be avoided. We need to exercise caution when the proportion of these characteristics is “ati” or excessive.

 

It is quite easy to assess the impact of such food in our system. Consumption of such food causes duhkha or pain, which begins with the mouth and hurts the entire digestive system for a long time. Such food can also have a long term impact on the body in the form of “aamaya” or disease. Since the person has raajasic faith, he will have a strong preference for such type of food, and will feel sorrow if he is unable to obtain such food. In today’s age, food that is high in sodium, sugar and oil also comes in this category.

 

Food, in its broader sense, also refers to the intake of information through the eyes and ears as well. Watching a lot of violent movies and TV, for instance, inflicts pain upon the mind. Many people get addicted to the internet and television, and experience sorrow if they are unable to log on or watch TV, even for a short while. It is no different than a bodily disease. In other words, the kind of television or internet content we consume can also reveal a lot about the texture of our faith.

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Conclusion :

When vegetarian foods are cooked with excessive chilies, sugar, salt, etc. they become rājasic. While describing them, the word “very” can be added to all the adjectives used. Thus, rājasic foods are very bitter, very sour, very salty, very hot, very pungent, very dry, very chiliful, etc. They produce ill-health, agitation, and despair. Persons in the mode of passion find such foods attractive, but those in the mode of goodness find them disgusting. The purpose of eating is not to relish bliss through the palate, but to keep the body healthy and strong. As the old adage states: “Eat to live; do not live to eat.” Thus, the wise partake of foods that are conducive to good health, and have a peaceable impact upon the mind i.e., sāttvic foods.

To be continued ...

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