Meal – A Fire Sacrifice

Eating is not meant for stuffing the stomach. It is verily a yajna (sacrifice). As per the shruti (Vedas) it is termed Agnihotra (fire sacrifice). As a yajna is performed with piety according to scriptural injunctions, oblations in the form of food and drinks should be offered to the digestive-fire. The ‘Yogaratnakar’ says:

Sayampratarmanuashyanaam ashanam shrutichoditam
Naanantra bhojanam kuryaat agnihotrsamo vidhi

‘Meals should be taken in the morning and in the evening. No food should be consumed between the two meals. Otherwise, the undigested food taken earlier gets mixed with the food taken later and leads to indigestion and related diseases. A light meal should be taken in the evening after 6 to 8 hours of the morning meal; when the previous meal has been completely digested.

India is a hot tropical country, therefore breakfast and dinner is inadvisable from a health perspective. It is recommended to have evening meals before sunset. The greater the delay after sunset, the greater the harmful effects. Dinner should be taken in the evening rather than at night.

While dividing the stomach into three imaginary parts, one part should be filled with solid food, one with liquids and the third one should be left free for the working of the three humors.

Heavy foods which are difficult to digest should be taken in small quantities on a half empty stomach. Even light foods should be taken in moderation keeping the stomach light. Serious disorders are caused by overstuffing the stomach with excessive food intake.

The indicators of eating in the right quantity:
There should be no pressure on the stomach after the meal. The stomach should not feel heavy nor ache. There should be no strain while sitting, lying and walking. The breathing should be normal. The senses should be contented. One’s strength, complexion and physique should all be enhanced. These are indicative of food having been taken in the proper quantity.

If inadequate food is taken, one feels lack of satisfaction and listlessness. Malnutrition is detrimental as it reduces the body’s weight as well its strength, vigour and ojas. The senses and the intellect also lose their efficiency. The insufficient intake of food gives rise to 80 different kinds of vata diseases. Overeating on the other hand is the chief cause of disease.

Wholesome and unwholesome foods:

Tachch nityam prayunjeet swastham yenanuvartate

‘Have a daily intake of food that maintains the health.’
(Charaka Samhita Surasthan: 5.6)

In this shloka, Acharya Sri Charaka has laid down a dietary principle of universal application.

The foods which are wholesome and should be consumed on a regular basis are:
Sathi rice, shaali rice, wheat, mung beans, cow’s milk and ghee, apple, buttermilk, green leafy vegetables, rice, pomegranates, grapes, harad and rainwater collected before falling on the earth are always salubrious.

Foods that can be taken occasionally:
Milk cream, maawa, chhaina, curd, horse beans, beans, lotus root, foods made with fine wheat flour, germinated grains, and dried green leafy vegetables can all be taken occasionally. They are better avoided however.

Unwholesome food:
Oats, sarson ka sag (mustard leaves), sheep’s milk, burre oil, fruit of Artocarpus laucha, potatoes, porridge of sugarcane juice, and water from rivers in the rainy season should be completely avoided.

Even salubrious food should be taken with due regard to the individual’s digestive power, constitution and age, and also the time and place. Otherwise they become unwholesome.