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Bhagavad Gita and the Sattvic Diet: By Dr. Harsh

K. Luthar
August 10, 2007 (http://luthar.com/2007/08/10/bhagavad-gita-and-the-sattvic-diet/)

(http://luthar2.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/img_6578.jpg)
Sri Ramana used to say that of all the yogic rules and regulations, the best one is taking of Sattvic
foods in moderate quantities. This view is consistent with that expressed in the Bhagavad Gita, and
indeed most of the Yoga Shastras.

The logic is that since food has a major effect on the body and the mind, a Sattvic diet should be
adhered to in order to enhance both the health of the body as well as purity and strength of the mind.
A disciplined and one pointed mind is an aid to ones learning and education as well as having
success in business and other worldly affairs. A clear, pure, and a reflective mind is, of course,
essential to self-enquiry which leads to Self-Realization.
The question then becomes, What is a Sattvic diet? What is the authority for saying that certain
foods are Sattvic and lead to good health, mental clarity, poise, and spiritual advancement, while
other foods do not?
There is much yogic literature on this topic and also some disagreement among experts depending on
their school of thought and background. Since most Hindus generally accept the Bhagavad Gita as
the final word, I will refer to that as my primary source on the Sattvic diet.
We should keep in mind that Sri Krishna, who speaks in the Bhagavad Gita with complete spiritual
authority, is also considered the model of exceptional and abundant physical health and perfect
mental poise. He is depicted in the ancient writings as slim, active, energetic, graceful, and
overwhelmingly attractive. Sri Krishna, as is well known to all Hindus, had many girlfriends (the
gopis). However the relationships of those days between Sri Krishna and the gopis were pure in
nature.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna demonstrates profound insight into not just spiritual nature but
also human nature and physical nature. By inference, his words on food and the Sattvic diet carry
much weight for those who study the Bhagavad Gita.
What foods should one minimize according to the Bhagavad Gita?
In Chapter 17 (verses 8, 9, 10), Sri Krishna makes clear the type of foods to be avoided by those who
seek good health, worldly success, and progress on the spiritual path.
According to the Bhagavad Gita, foods which are too bitter, sour, salty, pungent, dry, and hot can
lead to pain, distress, and disease of the body. Further, Sri Krishna says that foods cooked more than
three hours before being eaten, foods which are tasteless, stale, putrid, decomposed and unclean
should be avoided by spiritual aspirants and those who seek excellent physical and mental health.
What foods should be eaten according to the Bhagavad Gita?
In Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna states, If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or
water, I will accept it: (Bg.9.26). To me this seems to suggest that Sri Krishna is sanctioning a diet
based on leaves and fruits and water as the best one for spiritual growth. I am no scholar on the
Bhagavad Gita, but my liberal interpretation of this verse would be that the Sattvic diet is generally
plant based and includes all or most vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, nuts, etc.
Because Sri Krishna gave cows sacred status similar to that of a human mother and favored raw
butter for personal consumption as a child, one could reasonably argue that dairy products (such as
yogurt, milk, lassi, etc.) belong to the Sattvic food category.

Many yogis hold the view, however, that dairy products can only be considered Sattvic if these are
obtained respectfully from the cows and goats who are shown kindness, love, and humane treatment.
According to the principle of Ahimsa (nonviolence), any food procured through violence to animals
cannot be considered Sattvic.
Yogic Sattvic Diets
Some yogis that I have met favor a completely raw vegetarian diet with a primary focus on sprouted
grains and beans (such as Garbanzo, Blackeyed peas, etc.) along with raw fruits and vegetables. Their
diet is essentially vegan and contains no animal products. However, modern science teaches us that
since vitamin B12 is missing from a purely vegan diet, supplementation is necessary.
A number of medical and scholarly references can be found on this issue on the web.
Other yogis have felt that a raw vegetarian diet is too limiting and include cooked foods as well as
dairy products (milk, yogurt, lassi, etc.) in their diet. This diet, known as the lacto-vegetarian diet, is
probably the most wide spread among Indian Hindus and Jains.
A few well known yogis have also traditionally included not only dairy but also eggs and egg
products in their otherwise vegetarian diet. This is known as the lacto-ovo vegetarian diet.
Although very few Indian yogis include any kind of fish, fowl, or meat in their food, there are
exceptions. Buddhist yogis, for example Dalai Lama, do eat meat. A few Hindu yogis also eat meat
pointing out that some scriptures sanction meat eating for certain rituals. Hindu castes such as
Kshatriya (ruling class or warriors) have traditionally eaten meat.
For most Hindu and Jain yogis, however, there is no convincing argument for eating meat if one
wishes to uphold the supreme principle of Ahimsa and follow the philosophy of nonviolence.
What is the best Sattvic Diet?
The general answer from my study is that foods which cause the body to gain health and for the
mind to be calm and peaceful constitute the Sattvic diet. To some extent, this requires knowing the
needs of ones own body and being sensitive to the effects of various foods on our system. Foods
which are very suitable and nutritious for one person may not be right for another. Common sense
and wisdom are the essential ingredients to find the best Sattvic diet for yourself.
In terms of particular foods to be eaten, the yogis and sages have answered this question, but the
answers have different variations. One common element of a yogic Sattvic diet is that it is primarily
vegetarian. This is true at least for Hindu and Jain yogis.
Within the broad framework of vegetarianism, a number of dietary systems are possible where
certain foods are included and some are excluded. In the most liberal vegetarian diets, eggs and dairy
products are included. Some people include dairy in their vegetarian diet but not eggs. Some include
eggs but not dairy. In the most strict vegetarian diet, eggs and milk are excluded. Supplementation
through vitamins is needed in such diets, according to modern medical opinion.
My personal experiences

Having experimented with a variety of diets for decades, I feel that a vegetarian diet can be healthy
or unhealthy depending on many factors. For example, if I am a lacto-vegetarian and eat too many
pizza pieces, the feeling of discomfort is likely to follow. In fact, after experimenting with eating
pizzas thousands of times in my younger days, I am fairly certain that this is indeed true. I believe
this also holds if one eats bucket loads of ice cream on a frequent basis. So, is lacto-vegetarian diet
healthy? It depends on how lacto you are and how often you go lacto with heavy fat and fried lacto
foods!
The point is that a vegetarian diet can be either healthy or unhealthy depending on the nature of food
eaten as well as the quantity of food consumed.
In Chapter 6, verse 16, Sri Krishna specifically emphasizes moderation in eating and sleeping. He
states, There is no possibility of ones becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much, or eats too
little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough.
Clearly, over consumption of food leads to problems and one can logically conclude that the quantity
of food consumed is probably an important element in a diet being considered Sattvic.
Sattvic diet is also a matter of degree. Some diets may be very Sattvic, while others may be
moderately Sattvic.
Finally, the thoughts and the emotional balance while eating the food has an effect on our system.
This is why in many religions, prayers and showing of gratitude for the food being consumed is
offered. This mental state while eating helps the diet become more Sattvic.
What does it all mean?
So what does it all mean and what are the lessons from Bhagavad Gita and our discussion of the
Sattvic diet? Here is what I think some of the lessons are. See if you agree.
1. Whatsoever you eat, eat in moderation (easier said than done!).
2. Educate yourself on proper nutrition, be sensitive to your body, and see what foods work for you.
3. Emphasize fresh vegetables and fruits and eat a diet which is mostly plant-based.
4. Do not eat foods which are too salty, bitter, or have gone stale and putrid.
5. Regardless of the food being eaten, eat with gratitude, prayerful attitude, and with mental poise.
6. Chew the food carefully and taste it deeply without rushing.
There are literally thousands of great sources on the web and hundreds of books in stores to help you
educate yourself on the Bhagavad Gita, vegetarianism, and nutrition. Go do some research and find
out for yourself!
As Captain Planet used to say, The power is yours!.
Thats my homespun wisdom for today. Good luck!

16 thoughts on Bhagavad Gita and the Sattvic Diet: By

Dr. Harsh K. Luthar
Pingback: Yoga Instructor Dominates Cupcake Contest | Luthar.Com: HarshaSatsangh
Pingback: The Kundalini Power and Diet: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar | Luthar.Com: HarshaSatsangh
Dr Damiana says:
April 6, 2010 at 10:14 am
Excellent article dear Harsh-ji, Ive learned quite a lot about the sattvic diet. I have read some
articles here and there, but your article is so clear and comprehensive and it gave such a good
picture of this type of lifestyle and diet. Thank you so much!
REPLY
Harsha says:
April 23, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Thank you Dr. Damiana-ji. All your contributions to the site on health living are appreciated.
Nutrition and diet is an important topic and understanding how foods affect us can help us
select those which are the best for us.
REPLY
Meena Mani says:
August 11, 2010 at 3:56 pm
A good analytical article.
Even in vegetables onion and garlic are not supposed to be offered to the LORD, hence to offer
and sanctify the food they are to be avoided, is my understanding. I follow that and feel extreme
rest in the mind. I am able to find this specific change after I started this diet of no onion and
garlic.
Since I like the idea of offering and then eating I tend to avoid those vegetables. They are high
stimulants of emotions like anger and irritation, hence I conclude them to deviate one from peace
and self inquiry.
I liked your article very much that it advocates vegetarian diet and would just like to add my
experience on following a sattvic diet. Eating less is a key factor to sattvic food. The food being
sattvic if it consumed more than what is needed it will ruin the body and mind. 100% true
realization sir.
Yours humbly
Meena Mani
REPLY
Harsha says:
August 19, 2010 at 8:05 pm

Thank you Meena-ji. What you say is true, of course. A key to sattvic diet is eating moderately.
That is the hard thing for many people who diet.
REPLY
visweshwaran says:
January 14, 2012 at 12:19 am
Dear Harsha ji,
I am a new entry to your site. I find your site excellent. I agree with Mrs.Meena mani- I also avoid
Garlic and Onion as it is not considered sattvic
REPLY
Harsha says:
January 15, 2014 at 4:05 pm
Thank you Visweshwaran-ji for your comment. Yes, you are right of course.
REPLY
A.K.Jain says:
January 15, 2014 at 7:23 am
writer is totally bluffing the people he has no spritual or theorticl knowledge. he is taking the
matter round & round, that clarify nothing,so it is useless to read even
REPLY
Harsha says:
January 15, 2014 at 4:06 pm
Thank you. It seems reading the article has caused you frustration. Perhaps you will have a
better reading experience with other articles.
REPLY
evankeith says:
January 15, 2014 at 8:01 pm
I not only learn from your article, but, perhaps even more importantly, also from the
manner in which you reply to feedback.
Harsha says:
January 17, 2014 at 2:52 pm
OK.
baerlibrum says:
April 4, 2014 at 7:33 pm
dear harsha
with joy i did read your article
in my experience the best way finding a real healthy diet is to learn to LISTEN to our body
i learned it and now am really feeling well all socalled health problems in my life have been at
first related to my own wrong treatment and are healing constantly or getting worse only by NOT
LISTENING TO MY INNER VOICE and that is the root of all LISTENING TO OUR INNER SELF
thank you again

michael bindel from harsha satsangh smiling remember our discussion about VEGAN which my
wife sylvie did for three years unluckily she is the rare expection due to karmic reasons
noradrenal stress sympton lead to NEED of real meat not the nowaday meat
good luck on your further way!
namaste
michael
REPLY
Harsha says:
April 18, 2014 at 4:15 pm
Just checking in after a long time. Wonderful to hear from you Michael. Thanks for sharing
here.
REPLY
Harsha says:
April 24, 2014 at 10:12 pm
Reblogged this on Luthar.com.
REPLY
baerlibrum says:
May 3, 2014 at 6:24 am
Dear Harsha
again read your profound article specially your mentioning of B12 what is special in your article
INSIGHT TOLERANCE IN TOUCH WITH TRUTH because whats so important the attitude with
which we eat the upbring of plants and animals if in LOVE AND DEVOTION wonderful
because its TRUE what we take in we become MODERATION great and all this is true to every
field in life would like to share the Grace i had to LEARN with you best way? via email???
let me know if you are interested i due to Grace had the chance to get involved in the true
KABALAH the true jewish spirituality AND feeling seeing that of course SADGURU
BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI explains exactly the ssame TRUTH
what i did and all humans who want to become HUMANS should do ongoing LEARNING not
the mental stuff the SPIRITUAL TRUTH a n d giving their best putiing this in practice moment to
moment but his is not possible without accepting our little self fully LOVING OURSELF is the
necessity to learn to LOVE G-D etc
so let me know if you are ready.
sincerely yours
NAMASTE SHALOM
you know what real shalom real peace means really?
harmony abobe and below harmony in our self being ONE iwht SELF
baerlibrum
michael

REPLY

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