Part I: Chapter II / II – (iii)
d) Food
'As is the food, so is the mind,' is an ancient saying, and in it lies an incontrovertible truth, for it is food that goes to make the body and the brain.
Satvic food plays an important part in the perfection of the body as envisaged by Hatha Yoga, and helps in carrying on any sadhna or yogic discipline without fatigue, languor, lassitude or drowsiness. It will not be out of space to mention some of the foods which help or retard the yogic sadhna:
Foods conducive to the yogic sadhna: |
Foods that retard the yogic sadhna: |
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1. Barley, black gram, whole mung (green gram), rice, til (gingelly seeds), shakar (jaggery), milk and milk products, butter and clarified butter – all in moderation. |
Moth1, mash1, musur (lentils), peas, unhusked gram, wheat, cheena (pani Varagu)1, oils and fats, sour milk and sour curd, spoiled ghee, meat in all forms, fish, fowl and eggs, etc. |
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2. Black pepper, almonds, ginger, currants, lime – in moderation. |
Kathal, barbal, pineapple, karuanda etc. |
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3. Mangoes, grapes, guavas, apples, oranges, figs, amla, peaches, and charvanji etc. – in moderation. |
Watermelon and kakari1 etc. |
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4. Melon, cucumber – in small quantities. |
Turi large (snake gourd), kashiphal (red pumpkin), brinjal (eggplant), lady's finger and chulai (amaranth or spinach-like plant). |
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5. Pumpkin, plain turi (ridge gourd), ghia turi (plain gourd), spinach, parwal2 (coecinia indica) and swaran1 leaves – in small quantities. |
Spices, condiments, chilies3, pepper, sauces and other acid producing stimulants and things pungent, bitter and sour. |
In brief, fresh and green vegetables, leafy vegetables, fruits and nuts, milk, butter and ghee constitute an ideal diet for any man. Three meals a day are considered more than sufficient.
We may note that foods that are stale, highly seasoned, half-cooked or over-cooked, and fruits that are over-ripe or under-ripe or lying cut; also sweets and sweetmeats, are to be avoided. Likewise, aerated drinks, stimulants like tea and coffee, and intoxicants of all descriptions are not to be brought into use.
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Explanation: 1) Various, here unknown types of fruits, legumes and vegetables. 2) Other types of pumpkins. 3) Hot condiment.