Three types of diet
Sātwika, Rājas and
Tāmas
According to ancient Indian philosophy
including ayurveda, diet is of three types i.e. satwik, Rajas and Tamas. Lets discuss
its details as per bhagavadgita; one of the most trusted philosophical texts in
India.
आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः
।
रस्याः
स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः॥
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता 17/8
Sātwika diet
is one, which is helpful for increasing life, good qualities of mind, body
strength, happiness and health. And which is juicy, unctuous, stable and pleasant in neture.
कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिनः
।
आहारा
राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ॥ १७-९ ॥
Rājas type of diet include the one which is spicy, sore,
saline, very much hot, pungent, astringent, rough and vidāhi in nature and one
which increases miseries, sadness and diseases.
यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् ।
उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम्
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ॥
१७-१० ॥
Tāmas type of diet is one, which is not fresh or one which is
prepared before more than three hours, dried, stale and eating the leavings of another man
and also impure diet is considered in as tamas.
Out of
above three type of diet first one that is sātwika or satvik diet
is Pathya i.e. good for continuous daily eating and remaining two i.e. tāmas
and rāras are Apathya i.e. not to be eaten on daily.
