Importance of Pathya (Wholesome diet.)

Importance of Pathya

Namaste to all
We have discussed in previous posts What is the pathya ? 
Now here is a sanskrit verse narrating importance of pathya.

पथ्ये सति गदार्तस्य भेषजग्रहणेन किम्।

पथ्येेऽसति गदार्तस्य भेषजग्रहणेन किम्।।

Pathye sati gadārtasya bheṣajagrahaṇena kim

Pathye asati gadārtasya bheṣajagrahaṇena kim

These two lines looks similar to each other but there is slight deference among two.

Look carefully...... in first line observe first two words. 

These are पथ्ये (Pathye) and सति (Sati) which mean if we followed pathya.

In second line among first two words first is similar to first of previous line. But there is slight deference in second word. 

So the second word is 'ऽसति'  (Asati) which has exactly negative meaning. Here the meaning of two words becomes "if we do not follow the pathya."

भेषजग्रहणेन किम् (bheṣajagrahaṇena kim)  has also two meanings.

 

First line says पथ्ये सति गदार्तस्य भेषजग्रहणेन किम्। (Pathye sati gadārtasya bheṣajagrahaṇena kim) i.e. if we followed pathya then there is no need to consume medicine. 

Disease will itself be reduced by pathya only and one need not consume the medicine.

second line says पथ्येऽसति गदार्तस्य भेषजग्रहणेन किम्। (Pathye asati gadārtasya bheṣajagrahaṇena kim) i.e. if we do not follow the pathya then consuming medicine is useless. Means Without pathya medicine alone could not work properly. 

In Ayurveda, Pathya is more important than treatment also.

So this is the importance of pathya.

Remember forever ..... 

Consume food which is pathya only.

Avoid food which is Apathya.