Chapter 17, Verse 10
यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् | उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् ॥10॥
yātayāmaṁ gatarasaṁ pūti paryuṣitaṁ ca yat | ucchiṣṭam api cāmedhyaṁ bhojanaṁ tāmasa-priyam
"Food which is cooked more than three hours before being eaten, which is tasteless, stale, putrid, decomposed and impure, is food liked by people in the mode of ignorance."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 17.10 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 17.10 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
This verse categorizes food in the mode of darkness (Tamas). 'Yātayāmam' refers to food cooked more than three hours prior, which begins to lose its vital energy (Prana). 'Gatarasam' implies the loss of natural essence or nutrition. 'Pūti' and 'Paryuṣitam' refer to foul-smelling and decomposed food. 'Ucchiṣṭam' refers to remnants or food contaminated by others' saliva. 'Amedhyam' includes substances unfit for spiritual offering, such as meat or intoxicants. The commentary highlights biological differences between humans and carnivores (teeth, digestive tract length, cooling mechanisms) to illustrate why meat is considered 'Amedhyam' or impure for the human constitution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 17.10?
Food which is cooked more than three hours before being eaten, which is tasteless, stale, putrid, decomposed and impure, is food liked by people in the mode of ignorance.