Food For Thought - Vegetarian Philosophy
In
every object of the universe, one of three attributes-sattva, rajah and
tamah-will always be predominant. So food is also divided into three
categories according to the dominancy of the attributes.
(1) Sa'ttvika a'ha'ra (Sentient Food) |
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All
the staple food-grains such as rice wheat, barley, etc.; all the pulse
except masu'r [an all kinds of vegetables except violet-coloured
carrots, white brinjals[white eggplants], onions, garlic and mushrooms;
milk and milk products; all green and leafy vegetables except red puin
and mustard.
All varieties of spices except garam masal’a* and all
kinds of sweets, can be taken. A sa'ttvika diet is required for those
who practice a'sanas. Those who find it difficult to give up the habit
of r'ajasika food all of a sudden may eat a piece of haritakii
[myrobalan] after the meal. Those who take sa'ttvika food should avoid
taking a large quantity of mustard or mustard products. Ra'jasika
food-eaters should gradually try to change over to sa'ttvika food and
ta'masika food-eaters should try to give up such food as early as
possible.
All foods that are beneficial to both body and mind are considered sa'ttvika.
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(2) Ra'jasika aha'ra (Mutative Food)
Any
food that is beneficial to the body but is neutral to the mind, or vice
versa is called ra'jasika. Foods that do not fall into the ra'jasika or
ta'masika categories are of ra'jasika nature. In certain countries
where there is a heavy snowfall, ra'jasika food can be treated as
ra'jasika and ta'masika food as ra'jasika.
(3) Ta'masika a'ha'ra (Static Food)
All kinds of foods which are harmful to either the body or mind and may
or may not be harmful to the other are called ta'masika.
Stale and
rotten food, the flesh of large animals such as cows, and
all types of intoxicants, are categorized as ta'masika.
Small amounts of tea, cocoa and similar drinks which do not excite a
person to the point of losing his/her senses are in the ra'jasika
category. |
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