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Popular Kheti
Volume -2, Issue-3 (July-September), 2014
Available online at www.popularkheti.info
2014 popularkheti.info
ISSN: 2321-0001

A Food: What Does It Really Mean?

K. Usha
Principal Scientist, Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology,
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012
Email: kalidindi.usha3@gmail.com

For most of us, food is meant to be only for satisfying hunger and nourishing the
body. However, as per Vedic Scriptures, what we eat and drink significantly, though
subliminally, affect our subtle and astral bodies as well. So, food is not just food but
more than that, let us discuss some aspects, what does food really mean for us.
Introduction
The sages of the Vedic times, the rishis, had researched and categorized the gross and subtle
qualities and effects of food in three categories satvika, rajasika and tamasika. They had
also enjoined that those desirous of having the purity, piety and sagacity of thoughts, feelings
and emotions along with the vibrant health of the body, should avoid tamasika and rajasika
food and take only satvika food.
Chhandogya Upanishad says
Aharashuddhau Sattvashuddhih Sattvashuddhau Dhruva Smratih,
Smratilambhe Sarvagranthinam Vipramokshah |
Meaning: Purity of food helps in purifying the inner self. Purification of the inner self and
hence of the mind and intellect, accelerates elimination of illusions and ignorance. This in
turn, paves the way for salvation of the soul.
In the Gita (17 | 7) the Divine Teacher says
Aharastwapi Sarvasya, Trividho Bhavati Priyah |
Yagyastapastatha Danam, Tesham Bhedamimam Shrunu ||
Meaning: What kind of food one likes is also of three types according to ones own intrinsic
nature.
Ayuh Satvabalarogya, Sukhapritivivardhanah |
Rasyah Snigdhah Sthira Hradya, Aharah Satwikapriyah ||
Katvamlalavanatyushna, Tikshnarukshavidahinah |
Ahara Rajasasyeshta, Dukhashokamayapradah ||
Yatayamam Gatarasam Puti, Paryushitam Cha Yat |
Uchchhishtamapi Chamedhyam, Bhojanam Tamaspriyam ||

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Meaning: Pure, health-giving, juicy (watery), smooth (e.g. boiled vegetables), fresh and
naturally soothing eatables that enhance life, vigor, mental strength and sharpen the intellect
are liked and used as food by the people having satvika tendency. Sour, salty, bitter, hot,
spicy, fried and dry kinds of food stuffs, which are of highly stimulating taste, but are usually
difficult to digest and cause burning sensation in the stomach are mostly liked by the people
of rajasika tendency. Those having tamasika tendency generally like half-cooked, raw and
pungent, stale, foul-smelling, juice-less foodstuffs; they dont even care for the cleanliness
and purity of food.
The body of evidence linking diet and mental health is growing at a rapid pace. Mood,
motivation and mental performance are powerfully influenced by diet. The evidence indicates
that food plays an important contributing role in the development, management and
prevention of specific mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia, attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Alzheimers disease. A growing amount of research
suggests that the omega-3s are best suited for optimal brain function. Evidence is
accumulating that a diet that draws heavily on fatty food and only lightly on fruits and
vegetables isn't just bad for your heart and linked to certain cancers. It may also be a major
cause of depression and aggression. The polyunsaturated oils widely recommended as
healthful for the heart and widely used in cooking, frying and prepared food--corn, safflower
and sunflower oils--have almost no omega-3s. Instead they are loaded with omega-6s. You
need a proper balance of omega-6s and omega-3s. Canola oil and walnut oil are highly
recommended.
Food should be pure and austere and earned and prepared by righteous methods. If we
search for pure, austere and nourishing food, which enhances the vitality and physical strength
and also sharpens the intellectual potential, mental concentration and for spiritual progress,
the best choice would be that of the vegetarian food. Ayurveda recommends Cereals, pulses,
fruits, vegetables and milk, prepared without destroying their natural qualities (i.e., without
putting excessive spices or frying or overcooking the food) as best for vitality, physical
strength and mental concentration.
It is not only sufficient to just eat. We should be attentive to proper quality and
quantity; rather than just grabbing and gobbling. Physical exercise and disciplined work habits
are important for our Physical, mental and spiritual health.
Hidden Effects on what we eat
Our mental and emotional state while eating, the feelings with which we take our food, all
have subliminal but intense impact upon our subtle and astral bodies. Our rishis had therefore
taught that food should be treated as sacred as the naivaidya (consecrated food offered to a
deity). They had also founded the tradition of sitting with clean body and calm mind and
chanting specific mantras before having meals.
Referring to similar aspects (pertaining to the subtle effects of food), The Manu Samhita
highlights
Pujitam Hyashanam Nityam, Balamurjam Cha Yachchhati |
Apujitam Tu Tad Bhuktam, Ubhayam Nashayedidam ||
Meaning: Purified and consecrated food provides energy and power whereas impure,
unconsecrated food causes adverse effects. Here, by consecrated is meant sanctified by
offering to the Deity and eaten gracefully with corresponding feelings; it is found to have
healthful, ennobling effects on the gross and the subtle bodies.

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The "Chhandogya Upanishad" also elucidates the hidden effects of what we eat and further
illustrates the majestic insights of the rishis of vedic times:
Annamashitam Tredha Vidhiyate Tasya Yah Sthavishtho Dhatustatpurisham Bhavati
Yo Madhyamastanmaosam Yo~nishthastanmanah |
Meaning: Food has three parts. Whatever is eaten has three simultaneous effects accordingly.
The gross part is what is not consumed by the body (by metabolism) and is excreted; the
subtler part, referred as rasa (in Ayurveda) is used in making the elements (flesh, bone, etc)
of the gross body; the subtlest, invisible part contributes to nourishing the mind.
The negative effects of mental state upon food are equally significant for our spiritual
health. An Ayurvedic scripture "Bhava Prakasha" warns in this regard
Irshyabhayakrodha Samanviten, Lubdhena Rugdainya Nipiditena |
Vidweshayuktena Ca Sevyamanam, Annam Na Samyakparipakameti ||
Meaning: If there is any sentiment of jealousy, fear, anger, greed, lust, gloom, sorrow, hatred,
etc, or there is an attack of some disease while eating, then the food consumed cannot be
digested (and will be hazardous to health).
In short, it is repeatedly warned that the sickness of mind or having a negative
emotional state while eating is as pernicious as eating in a state of physical ailment. In fact it
is more damaging, as it not only causes immediate untoward effects on physical health, but, if
it occurs frequently, it eventually becomes a cause of chronic diseases and psychosomatic
disorders as well.
The practice of chanting Shabdas from Holy books or repeating the Holy name before
having food eliminates such risks and increases the chances of positive, healthy effects in two
ways. Contemplation over the Holy name of God and the associated feelings calm down and
purify our mind. The vibrations of the Holy name induce soothing effects on the endocrine
glands and also generate sublime currents of healthy spiritual impact.
Effect of Modern Agriculture on Food Quality and Environment
The benefits of agriculture have been immense. Before the dawn of agriculture, the hunter
gatherer lifestyle supported about 4 million people globally. Modern agriculture now feeds
6,000 million people. Global cereal production has doubled in the past 40 years, mainly from
the increased yields resulting from greater inputs of fertilizer, water and pesticides, new crop
strains, and other technologies of the Green Revolution. This has increased the global per
capita food supply, reducing hunger, improving nutrition (and thus the ability of people to
better reach their mental and physical potential) and sparing natural ecosystems from
conversion to agriculture.
The intensification of agricultural production associated with the adoption of larger
yielding crop varieties has generated a number of environmental concerns. Some of these
concerns are related to the expansion of irrigated areas on which many of the higher yielding
crops grow. Irrigation systems are often poorly designed, managed, and maintained.
Overexploitation of groundwater in such areas as northwestern India and north China results
in falling groundwater levels. Expansion of gravity irrigation systems in areas, such as the
Indus River basin in south-central Asia, resulted in salinization. Intensive use of fertilizer and
pesticides has resulted in soil degradation and water pollution. There have also been negative
impacts on fish culture, livestock, and human health in some areas.

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Agricultural practices are reducing the ability of ecosystems to provide goods and services.
For example, high applications of fertilizers and pesticides can increase nutrients and toxins in
groundwater and surface waters, incurring health and water purification costs, and decreasing
fishery and recreational values. Agricultural practices that degrade soil quality contribute to
eutrophication of aquatic habitats and may necessitate the expense of increased fertilization,
irrigation and energy to maintain productivity on degraded soils. Practices that change species
composition or reduce biodiversity in non-agricultural systems may also diminish goods and
services, because the ability of ecosystems to provide some services depends both on the
number and type of species in an ecosystem.
What are we eating now?
Clearly, the diets that humans eat in the 21st century are dramatically different from the diets
of our ancestors, even our very recent ones. After literally millions of years of evolving and
adapting to a highly varied diet, containing a wide range of nutrients, the last 200 years have
seen the diversity of the food supply shrink drastically.
True, we have more food than our ancestors could ever have wished for. Yet much of
the modern diet contains too much fat in general, too much hard, saturated fat in particular,
too much sugar and salt and not enough fibre.
Moreover, much of our food is dosed with synthetic chemicals, few of which have
been thoroughly tested individually, much less as a mixture. Soil depletion and other
consequences of modern farming methods may mean some foods are losing the very nutrients
that used to make them good to eat.
The result of all these changes has been a rise in serious health problems that are in
part attributed to the modern diet, including obesity, coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer,
osteoporosis and dental caries. Other problems, such as rising levels of some cancers, may be
linked to some chemicals added to our food, but a causal link is very difficult to establish.
What are ideal Agricultural practices that can promote Spiritual Awakening?
Given that the world population is 6.6 billion, that it will reach 9 billion by the year 2050 with
the highest concentration in Africa (1.7 billion) and Asia (5.2 billion), what are our chances to
develop a new green revolution supported by ancestral methods of farming?
Neither expansion of cultivated areas nor increases in irrigated areas will contribute
substantially to agricultural production in the future. There are severe physiological
constraints to increasing the grain-to-dry-matter ratio. Constraints are already evident in terms
of a reduction in the incremental yield increase from fertilizer application. It is possible,
within another decade, that advances in molecular biology and genetic engineering will
reverse the urgency of the above concerns. However, the products of genetic engineering now
on the market, primarily plant protection and animal health products, are not contributing to
raising yield ceilings above the levels achieved with the older Mendelian technologies. The
institutional constraints associated with the development of intellectual property rights and the
regulatory regimes for monitoring health and environmental impacts add further uncertainty.
The economic incentives that induce private sector research are directing efforts toward higher
value-added products, which include functional foods, neutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals,
instead of yield enhancement. So the food production challenge ahead is not small or easy. It
requires increasing the productivity of complex, low yielding farming systems in ways that do
not damage natural resources or the environment. Usage of bio-fertilizer & bio-pesticides,
organic farming, Biodynamic farming, low input agriculture, permaculture, sustainable

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agriculture, integrated farming practices (integrated pest management and integrated nutrient
management), are some of the practices that are being espoused by proponents both in
developed and developing countries. All these practices have evolved as alternatives to
chemical use in agriculture keeping in view the increasing demand for green agriculture
products across the world.
Studies attest that organic farming methods can produce higher yields! A worldwide
conversion to organic would lead to increase food production levels while reversing the
degradation of agricultural soils and augment logically soil fertility (natural presence of
nutrients, carbon, nitrogen). Agricultural policy development should be informed by what is
known of its nutritional impact and its subsequent effect upon our mental as well as physical
health. Specifically, support must be increased for organic farming, the production and
promotion of fruit and vegetables, other micronutrient rich food and for alternative sources to
oily fish of omega-3 fats.
Conclusion
The scenario of physical and psychological health would improve, and more importantly, the
rising trend of mental vices would be checked, if people realized the significance of the
perceivable and subtle properties of food and adopt the disciplines of eating pure, properly
cleaned and cooked, naturally healthy foods with the feeling of consecration and
sanctification. All, who care for physical, mental and spiritual health, should modify their
eating habits, laying much emphasis on purity and subtle properties of foodstuffs and also
make a regular habit to observe sincerely with due mental and emotional engrossment to chant
the Holy name of God while preparing and eating food that will benefit the physical and
mental purification required for spiritual awakening.

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