WHAT SHOULD ONE EAT ? Thu Aug 8, 2013 12:19 pm (PDT) . WHAT SHOULD ONE EAT ?We know that the quality of food that we partake affects the mind. This was known to our ancestors long back. Please see Chandogya Upanishad (7.26.2) wherein it is said that the purity of food affects the quality of mind. We also know that there is a close relationship between body and mind. It is the mind which creates the future body as it is the repository of karmas till one attains moksha. Food is classified into three groups-Saatvika, Rajasika and Tamasika. (Vide 17th chapter of Bh.Gita). There are references in scriptural works on the list of foods coming under the three categories. There are three types of DOSHAS affecting the foods- 1.JAATIDOSHA 2.NIMITTADOSHA AND 3.AASHRAYADOSHA Garlic etc., come under jaatidosha (species) Nimittadosha is because of external impurities like dust, hairs or insanitory handling. Foods cooked or handled by persons of bad character get affected because of evil psychic vibrations and this is called Aashrayadosha. The solution is to offer the food to God before taking it. Question 1. Lord Krishna prohibits eating food which is Yaata Yaamam, which is "left over" With the advent of refrigerators and freezers food is made once and stored in a freezer and eaten for a week by heating in a micro wave. With this kind of living we shall continue to be Tamasic having eaten food which is Yaata Yaamam Gata Rasam, Uchchistham etc. On the contrary, Anna is not specifically defined even though several grains are defined in Chamaka which is preceded by Rudram. And then we say Annam na nindyaat. How can we expect an Esquimo to eat anything other than whale meat and blubber? Probably Anna was left undefined for future clarification as in the Bhagawad Gita. Kindly enlighten further. Answer :- The word ANNA has been used in the Upanishads not only to indicate physical food but also to signify any thing that is consumed- it stands for matter in general. It is the lowest manifestation of Atman (in the process of creation). Since it nourishes both body and mind, purity is essential. Since our tradition considers the eating as a religious act, several rules are given. For example, one should not take food before prayers; one should not eat during eclipses; no eating is permitted in temples, public places and moving vehicles. there should be moderation in eating- half the stomach with food, quarter with water only; HOW FAR THESE RULES CAN BE FOLLOWED DURING MODERN DAYS, AN INDIVIDUAL HAS TO DECIDE. There are several such rules which cannot be followed now a days. No point in lamenting!! Question:- 2 Can you clarify on Nimitta dosha food items, like what kind of vegetables would come into that category? Would vegetables grown under the soil come under this category? As already explained, Nimittadosha is because of external impurities including unsanitary handling. Cleanliness removes this. What you are referring to perhaps pertains to Jaatidosha. But I cannot agree that anything growing under the soil becomes contaminated (Doshita). We know that our Rishis would eat only kanda- moola- phalas. Some people -especially the Jains do consider that vegetables which have reddish colour like tomato, beetroot, carrot and onion and garlic are not saatvik. All these have their own merits also. Nimittadoshas can be avoided; Ashrayadosha can be obviated by offering the food first to God and then taking it as Prasada (if it becomes unavoidable to take such food!!)
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 15:28:55 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015