AHARA NIYAMA

Ahara niyama

I promised to bring details of Swami Desikan rare book on Ahara Niyama –Food and eating habits for all of us and in particular to Sri Viashnavas in order to improve the Sathivika qualities in us and curbing the Rajo and Tamasa Gunas which lead us to commit sin after sins in this life.

The three modes of material nature, or controlling principles are sattva-guna (goodness), rajo-guna (passion), and tamo-guna (ignorance).
Foods affect us and also animal behaviour as well. For instance, a dog fed on raw meat for any length of time turns out to be more ferocious than a similar breed fed on vegetarian foods. Sastras explain that mind is also matter, albeit subtle, and, like the body, is nourished by food. The Chandogya Upanishad says: "Mind consists of food, prana (life force) of water and speech of fire."

Results of recent studies published in the British Journal of Psychiatry pronounce that diet has a direct bearing on the behaviour of juvenile delinquents. Certain types of food brought about - though very gradually – produces distinct changes in the behavioural pattern of the delinquents.
Swami Desikan says that his mind is wicked because of the dominance of Rajo and Tamasa Gunas. and is unable to think of Lord Ranganatha and he seeks the help of Lord to hunt and drive out the above qualities and bring in lime light the Satvika Gunas in him.

From that we learn that we should eat satva type of food only and avoid food sought by rajo and tamo quality persons.
In Geetha Bhagavan Krishna explains in 9-slokas the importance of Triplets-Sativika, Rajo and Tamasa Gunas. Three types of yagna, tapas and dhanam are mentioned. In them satva type of yagna, rajo type of yagna and tamo type of yagna are mentioned. Similarly, three types of tapas - satva, rajo and tamo tapas mentioned. Again satva dhanam, rajo dhanam and tamo dhanam are described. He explains which tapas are done orally, tapas done by mind and tapas done by body.

I used to see sarcasting smiles from many when we say that we should not eat onion, poondu, prohibited varities of keerai etc after cetain years and especially after Baranyasam and argue that these plants are medicinal and doctors advice to take them. In fact Swami Desikan in the book says that if we want to develop Sathivika Gunas which is essential to reach the abode of Lord Narayana – some food articles should be excluded from our diet..

He has given exemptions and relaxation in certain circumstances in the general rule. These rules are not only hygienic but also help us to purify our mind, body and thoughts and cultivate spiritual awareness in us. Manu Sastra also emphasize the basic rules.

THOSE THAT CAN BE TAKEN FREELY WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS:
1. Sugarcane juice
2. Curds
3. Milk ( but subject to restrictions listed at H)
4. Ghee
5. Sangam
6. Pepper
7. Honey
8. Cardamom
9. Ice
10. Betelnut (subject to restrictions listed at J)
11. Anything fried in fire
12. Fruits that have ripened on their own
13. Boiled rice
14. Vadam
15. Appam | even if they are old provided they have not lost their taste
16. Seedai |
17. Chappathi |
18. Milk products
19. Thenkuzhal
20. Murukku
21. Medicines prescribed by doctors
22. Jaggery and flour combined edibles even if old
23. Wheat flour combined edibles
24. Side dishes, butter milk, ghee, milk, curds mixed with cooked rice
25. Cooked rice put in a vessel with clean water
26. Edibles prepared with curds, milk etc.
27. Juice of flowers, raw vegetables, fruits, Tender Coconut Water.

ITEMS TO BE AVOIDED WITH REFERENCE TO TASTE:
1. Food overheated so much as to make it inedible
2. Too much bitter
3. Too much salty
4. Too much hot (like chillies)
5. Too much sour
6. Those that are too hot (temperature)
7. Those that are repulsive
8. All liquids from which the cream has been the essence and has been removed (except buttermilk)
9. Old food that had become rotten
10. Food that smells like mud

ITEMS TO BE AVOIDED WITH REFERENCE TO TIME OF CONSUMPTION
1. Food cooked on Ekadasi and other days of fasting should not be consumed
2. Wood apple and puffed rice should not be taken during day time
3. Food mixed with sesame should not be taken at night (also referred in Srimad Ramayana)
4. Food prepared in gingerly oil at night
5. Food prepared with curds at night
6. No food can be taken at sunrise, sunset and midnight (also referred to in Srimad Ramayana
7. Husband and wife should not eat together at the same time

CONDITIONS REGARDING INTAKE OF MILK.
1. Milk of animals like mare , donkey etc. which have single hoof (Vide also Srimad Ramayana)
2. Milk of cow that has given birth to twin calves
3. Camel's milk
4. Milk with which salt has got mixed up
5. Breast milk of women (this is also referred to in Srimad Ramayana)
6. Cow that is pregnant and cow just ready for sexual intercourse (referred in Srimad Ramayana )
7. The milk of a cow whose calf had just died
8. Milk drawn from a cow by showing to it a calf of another cow
9. Milk that had become sour or bad (also in Srimad Ramaynana )
10. Milk of cows bearing names of deities other than those of Sriman Narayana
11. Milk of ewe (Vide also Srimad Ramayana)
12. Milk purchased from a Brahmin
13. Milk kept in bronze vessel
14. Milk overheated to the point of getting charred
15. Milk and curd taken of milk of cow that has just delivered for at least 10 days after delivery
16. Milk of other animals of the bovine family except the buffalo

RESTRICTIONS REGARDING USE OF WATER
1. Except Ganges water, no stored up water standing over a day should be used.
2. Water remaining in a vessel after using part of it for washing feet
3. Muddy water
4. Tender coconut water, if heated
5. Water stagnant in a small pool
6. Water running across a road
7. Water given in hotels and water sheds ( Tanneer pandals)
8. Any water purity of which is in doubt
9. Water down from washerman's ghats
10. Water contaminated with spittle
11. Water held in a conch
12. Rain water before it falls to the ground
13. One should not drink water by cupping both the palms (Vide Srimad Ramayana)

BETEL ITEMS TO BE AVOIDED
1. One should not munch betelnut before putting betel leaves in the mouth
2. The stem, the middle line and the tip of the leaves should be removed before taking betel thambool
3. One should not munch both betel leaves and betel nut together
4. Widows, Brahmacharis and Sannyasis should not use betel leaves
5. One should not take betel leaf on which lime had been kept
6. During Ekadasi and other days of fasting betel chewing should be scrupulously avoided
7. While chewing betel one should not drink water at the same time.

The above are from the article appeared in the Saranagadi Journal: Subhamasthu Sri Ramanuja : Opiliappan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan
Editor- in- Chief ,” Saranagathi” Journal

Items prohibited on hygienic and prophylactic grounds (like our not using tooth brushes used by others)
1. Spittle and food contaminated with spittle
2. Food contaminated by flies, worms, hair, fingernails etc.
3. Food contaminated by excreta
4. Food contaminated by cloth, thread, sneeze etc.
5. Food that has been `smelt' by anybody
6. Food `that has been tasted' by humans, rodent, crow, hen, cat, dog etc.
7. Food that has been partially `bitten' by others
8. Morsel of food partially remaining after eating a portion of it.
9. Vegetables cooked without first being washed
10. Fruits, vegetables etc. cut with finger nails
11. Food prepared by persons who are not clean
12. Food cooked in other people's homes (Parannam)
13. Food that has been found fault with
14. Foods that have been prohibited specifically
15. Food cooked along with prohibited items
16. Foods known to be harmful to vital air and the functioning of sense organs

ITEMS PROHIBITED ON `SOCIAL' GROUNDS

1. One should not take for self food intended for all
2. Food meant for others (especially a sick person)
3. Food kept apportioned for self and guests
4. Food remaining after feeding a woman in menstruation*
5. Food prepared specifically for a woman who has just delivered*
6. Food that has not been offered to `Bhagavan' in the first place (during Aradhana)*
7. Food before offering to guests (Atiti Satkara)
8. Food offered to lesser deities (Devatantara)
9. Food set apart for offering to such deities as per Sastric injunctions
10. Products (grains, pulses etc.) not offered to God after the harvest
11. Food offered by Sanyasis directly
12. Food taken out from the vessel of Sanyasis
13. Food offered without love and affection
14. Vegetables, fruits etc. cultivated in dirty places *
15. Those that are known to affect concentration and meditation
16. Those that have been specifically advised against by Acharyas and such others
17. Mixed food distributed by hand
18. Ghee should not be served after one commences eating
19. Foods cooked more than once (Punar Pakam)
20. Cooked food served with iron ladles or bare hands
21. Salt served directly by hand
22. Food should not be eaten using left hand
23. Food should not be eaten holding the plate by hand
24. Food should not be placed on a seat
25. Food should not be eaten keeping them on the lap (22 to 25 are precisely what we do during buffet)
26. Should not eat edibles sitting on the bed
27. Food should not be eaten without a lamp burning
28. Moonlight / Fire are no substitutes for a burning lamp
29. Lime used for making chunnam out of seashells
30. Bubbles and foam arising from liquids (as while drinking coke, pepsi, coffee etc)
31. No food can be taken without taking bath and washing hands, and completing ablutions (Parishechanam)
32. Should not leave without completing the final Parishechanam
33. Should not eat out of a broken plate or other vessels that are not clean

Here are the prohibited items:
TAMIL NAME POPULAR AND/ OR BOTANICAL NAME

1. Athi Varieties - Ficus Racemosa
2. Perarku Bauhinia Racemosa
3. Irali Ficus Virens
4. Vellai Kathari White egg plant | white brinjals
5. Aal Banyan -
6. Arasu Peepal Ficus Religiosa
7. Ayil Chittagong wood Chickrasia
8. Aarai Masculia Quadrifoli a
9. Naruvili Cordia Obliqua/M onoria
10. Pungu Dalbergia
11. Thigaipoondu A plant that causes confusion in mind
12. Kurinji A shrub Maruthonr i Terminaw a
13. Tanri Bellenica
14. Kusumbai Carthamus Tinctoriu m
15. Velai Cleone Pentaphytt a
16. Sivappu/Nattu Murungai Drumstick - Hyperanth era Muringa
17. Sukam Sukampal
18. Tamarai Kizhangu Lotus bulb Nelumbo Nucifera
19. Ulli Garlic
20. Siriya Avarai Beans
21. Thummatti Callous Leaved Bryonia
22. Therar Kai Clearing nut Strychnoo Patatatura
23. Panai Palmyra palm
24. Nayuruvi Achyranth us Aspera
25. Kadambu Eugenica Racemosa
26. Naikkudai Mushroom
27. Suraikkai A variety of gourd
28. Peerkku Ridge gourd
29. Sanar Keerai Hemp
30. Siru Keerai Amaranth us Gangeticu s
31. Sivanda Agathi Cormilla Grandi Flora
32. Purasu Balia Frundosa
33. Pasala Portulaca Obracora
34. Vilvakkai Crataeva Religiosa
35. Madulankai Unripe Pomogranate
36. Varagu Paspalum Frumentac eum
37. Mullangi Radish Raphenus Sativus
38. Vengayam Onion Allium Cepa
39. Punnakku Oil cake
40. Pannai keerai ! celosia s.p. ! traceable |Yeast. Dried brew|
41. Noyyir keerai
42. Seenkadan
43. Oovaikkai
44. Rammananthal
45. Khadi

For healthy life and to attain the ultimate and eternal bliss we should restrict the temptation of modern foods and go back to what our Grand Mothers advice and from the Hindu Sastras and epics. This is what Michael Pollan of the Guardian also advices-eat less, eat grass type of food, try not to eat alone, cook and pick from your own garden.

Welcome your views and comments

Jagannathan.