Food! For the Good, the Passionate and the Ignorant.

Shri Krishna classifies nature into three forms in the Bhagvada Gita: the good, the passionate and the ignorant. And in Chap. 17,.. classifies food, sacrifice, prayer, etc. into the three. Here is what the Bhagvada Gita talks on food.

८

आयुः-सत्त्व-बलारोग्य-
सुखा-प्रीटी-विवार्धनाह
रस्याः स्निग्धः स्थिर ह्रदय
अहरह सात्त्विका-प्रियः।

"Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one’s existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart."

९

कतव-अमला-लावानाटी-उसना-
तिक्सना-रुक्सा-विदाहिनाह
अहारा राजसस्येस्ता
दुह्ख-सोकामय-प्रदाह।

"Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning are dear to those in the mode of passion. Such foods cause distress, misery and disease."

१०

यता-यमं गता-रसम
पुती पर्युसितम का यात
उच्चिस्तम अपि कामेध्यम
भोजनं तमासा-प्रियम।

"Food prepared more than three hours before being eaten, food that is tasteless, decomposed and putrid, and food consisting of remnants and untouchable things is dear to those in the mode of darkness."

Of the 9th we may agree. As we know from modern science,.. too much of salt can cause high blood pressure, too much of hot food can also cause problems and so on. And I believe the 10th bats against fast food (McD goers, keep this in mind!)

But of the 8th I have doubts, as we know of the current problems that people have with atherosclerosis, diabetes and all.

But perhaps, just perhaps, these lines were spoken in times where people were physically fit and did a lot of manual labor.

One place where I find the Gita doubtful.. and wished to point it out.