PHRASES IN THE GITA - 236

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PHRASES IN THE GITA - 236

आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ..  (अध्याय १७ - श्लोक ८)
ஆஹாராஹ ஸாத்விக ப்ரியாஹ ..  (அத்யாயம் 17 - ஶ்லோகம் 8)
Aahaaraah Saatvika Priyaah ..  (Chapter 17 - Shlokam 8)

Meaning :  These types of food are relished by the Sattveeka person ..

Sattvika person relishes this type of food , says Shri Krishna ..  We are supposed to eat to satiate hunger ..  But , taste is an important factor in food ..  Taste varies from person to person ..  Taste is determined by Swabhava or inherent nature ..  The dominant Guna in a person decides his favourite taste ..

What is the taste and type of food relished by a person with predominantly Sattva Guna ??  Sattva Guna is Knowledge ..  Sattva Guna is Light ..  Sattva Guna is an attitude to do what is right ..  There is no space for likes , dislikes etc ..  Sattva always goes by discrimination and decides that which is proper ..  This same trait is exhibited even in matters of food ..  Food that is good for the body , food that is easily digestible for the system ..  food that supports good health , food that supplies nutrients for the body ..  these foods are relished by Sattva dominant person ..  These are the exact words of Shri Krishna too ..  He does not list out the types of foods not does He mention tastes ..  He merely mentions the effects of food on the body and says that the Sattvika person likes and relishes foods which cause these positive effects ..

What is to be eaten ??  Which type of food is good for the body ??  Which type of food is good source of nutrients and vital nourishments for the body ??  Selection of food is his own responsibility and here comes the importance of taste ..  The food which is naturally relished by Sattva dominant person is suitable and good for him ..  Centers of Natural cure offer such foods as part of the treatment ..  The patients in post - surgery wards of Cardiac hospitals are also given this type of food as part of the treatment ..  This type is naturally liked and relished by the Sattvika person ..

Brahmin society is an arrangement to keep alive and nourish Sattva Gunam ..  The food eaten in Agraharam (brahmin families) is usually bland tasted , with limited salt , very mildly sour and hot ..  It is fluid , watery and Ghee - prominent food ..  Leafy vegetables and butter milk are invitable parts of daily food ..  It is fresh food , directly served from stove to plate ..  Those habituated to exciting masala tastes , those who eat salty , hot and sour tasted foods , those who are used to fried and oil fried foods mock at brahminical foods ..  But , this same type of food is recommended for heart patients and Naturopathy hospitals ..  It is served as medicinal food , good for health ..