(continued from previous issue)

3.2 Yoga and Diet

3.2.1 Diet - The Yogic Concept

Those foods which are ‘dead’, partially spoiled, which have lost their essence, which have been processed a great deal, which have been preserved in some way having no spark of life about them, or which lack the vitality of food that is alive, are the ones liked by the Tamasik. The innate personality structure of the Tamasik is reflected in their liking for such foods. Hence all such foods are classified as Tamasik foods. These foods may add ‘matter’ to the physical body, may nourish the grossest aspect of the body but they create a feeling of heaviness and lethargy.
Due to external circumstances like busy work schedule, high-tech advertisements etc. even when a Sattvik man resorts to such diets (as canned foods, etc.), mentioned above, consistently, his taste also changes and he slows and grows Tamasik. Energy and vitality are almost absent in such foods and hence the functioning gets sluggish and diseases of degeneration and accumulation of excessive toxic matter are likely to occur leading to illness like obesity, arthritis, hardening of the arteries, etc.

When food is spoiled, its chemical structure breaks down, and because of the acidity that results, some nutrients are destroyed. Rather than being useful, they may break down into products which cannot be used by the body, but must be excreted. In the mean time, they are under circulation and may act as irritants to the nervous system as well as to the other cells, tissues and organs. Eating Tamasik food makes one less alert. One may vacillate between an irritating restlessness and a tendency to fall asleep.

Fermentation is essentially a process of decomposition, especially when it is poorly controlled and overdone. Alcoholic drinks, especially the poorer quality ones, belong to this category.
Meat is also likely to be Tamasik especially when it is not fresh. Once the animal cells die, the process of degeneration and decay begins. Most meat marketed is not freshly slaughtered and are treated to destroy the toxic components or improve the taste. Unless this process is carried out carefully with a total knowledge of what is happening, the result is likely to be Tamasik.
The way in which the animal lives and grows may also affect its properties. Animals that are sluggish, heavy and unhealthy, are more likely to yield a Tamasik effect. Wild game and fish freshly killed and properly prepared were not regarded by the ancient Indians as detrimental. The effects of such fresh, wholesome meat were said to be Rajasik.

Rajasik Foods

Katvamlalavanatyusna tiksna- rüksavidahinah,
ahara rajasasyesta duhkha sokamayapradah. (Gita: 17.9)

Foods that are Katu - bitter, amla - sour, lavana - saline, ati Usna - steaming hot, tiksna - burning, are the ones liked by Rajasiks.
That which stimulates the nervous system, speeds up metabolism and activates, is called Rajasik. e.g.: coffee, tea, tobacco, green chillies and pepper are considered Rajasik but dried red chillies tend to be more Tamasik. High quality wines are Rajasik.

These Rajasik foods will energise but not in the sense of lending a clear balanced energy. They tend to stimulate and push the organism to increase its speed and to indulge more in physical activity, sensual pleasures and comforts. Spiced and cooked to perfection with lots of rich sauces, it tempts one to eat more and leads the attention to the savour of the food and away from internal signals.

Rajasik food is rich and tasty and meant for the Kings (Rajas). It is recognised that a pushing, aggressive worldly kind of activity is appropriate for rulers, for the military forces and for those who concern themselves with political matters - who deal in the area of domination, forcefulness and warfare. In fact, in some of the Indian traditions, the caste which filled such roles - the Rajput (literally “son of the King”), was expressly permitted to take meat and wine, whereas the Brahmin, who is not a ruler, but a scholar, teacher and spiritual seeker, has always been forbidden these Rajasik foods.

Such a diet, no doubt, creates in an individual brilliant energies and keeps all vigorous men restlessly striving to fulfil their uncontrolled passions and desires; hence, in their final reactions, they lead the eater towards a life productive of ‘Pain, grief and disease’.

Satvik Foods
ayu satvamarogyasukha pritivivardhanah,
rasyah snigdhah sthirah hrdyah aharah satvikapriyah.

Those foods which increase the Áyuh (Life and vitality), Sattva (purity), Bala (Strength stamina), Árogya (health), Sukha (happiness) and Priti (cheerfulness and good appetite), are termed Satvik. These foods are Rasyah (savoury), Snigdhah (oleaginous), Sthirah (substantial), Hridyah (agreeable) and are liked by the Satviks

(to be continued in the next issue)