Q&A: 6. Dietary Restrictions

தமிழில் படிக்க இங்கு செல்லவும். 

Question: Mr. Anand Kumar from Chennai asks, “Before performing auspicious deeds/rituals there is a custom of not eating external food and avoiding items such as onion, garlic etc. Is there any specific reason for this?”

Response: As per our philosophy, human mind is a mixture of three qualities, Sattva (calmness, clarity of thought, creative thinking), Rajas (agitation, passion, emotional upheaval) and Tamas (dark, ignorant, stale, inertial, weak). We need less quantities of rajas and tamas to do certain actions and to bring these actions to a logical end.  

Accordingly our diet is also classified as sattvic, rajasic and tamasic according to Ayurveda which will drive the above-mentioned qualities in us. A sattvic diet induces  habits that are pure, essential, energetic, true and honest. Examples of such foods are  (most) fruits, dairy, nuts, seeds, fresh vegetables, whole grains and proteins (non-meat). (Do note that even these food if taken in excess cease to be sattvic). Rajasic foods are foods that often provoke mental restlessness. They are needed in times of crisis and intense physical activity such as war or construction. Such foods include,  coffee, tea, colas, energy drinks, spicy food, salt etc. Tamasic foods are foods whose consumption are harmful to either mind or body (anything that leads to lowered state of consciousness). Note that these foods are sometimes necessary such as during times of great stress and pain as they help the body to repair itself by numbing  the pain. Tamasic foods include meat, fish, onion, garlic, mushroom, alcoholic beverages etc.

And for those who are interested in proof for the above theory, here is one. A research paper available in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI, USA) has found  significant positive correlation between dietary values of micro-nutrients and Sattvic food intake. Similarly, correlation between Tamasic food intake and anxiety was  found to be statistically significant. Thus, Sattvic food was high in micro-nutrient density and low in fat content, while Tamasic food was low in micro-nutrient density  and high in fat content. This diet study showed significant impact of food on mental status of adults, supporting the strong relationship between diet and the mind.

So as we prepare for any auspicious event such as a holy ritual or a pilgrimage or pitrukaryams etc, it is important that the mind is focussed and fully involved in  the activity to avail complete benefits. Only a sattvic diet will help in achieving the same. As an aside, for those who are not involved in extreme physical  activity and want to live a healthy life, avoiding rajasic and tamasic food completely will be the best choice in life. 

Earlier questions in this series:
5. Should we follow mourning practices even for the demise of an unfamiliar relative?
4. Is there one holy book for Hindus?
3. Why should we light a lamp in our houses?
2. Should I wear only traditional dresses while visiting temples?
1. What if I don’t know the meaning of Mantras that I chant?

References

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shashi_Chiplonkar2/publication/242091795_Linkage_of_concepts_of_good_nutrition_in_yoga_and_modern_science/links/0c96052da0377a94d6000000.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479904/