Chapter 17, Verse 9
कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिन: | आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दु:खशोकामयप्रदा: ॥9॥
kaṭv-amla-lavaṇāty-uṣhṇa-tīkṣhṇa-rūkṣha-vidāhinaḥ | āhārā rājasasyeṣhṭā duḥkha-śhokāmaya-pradāḥ ||9||
"Foods that are bitter, sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry and burning, and which produce pain, sorrow and disease, are dear to those in the mode of passion."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 17.9 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 17.9 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Rajasic individuals are driven by intense desires and sensory gratification. Consequently, they gravitate towards 'Ati' (extreme) flavors—excessively spicy, salty, or sour foods. While these provide immediate tongue stimulation, the verse warns of the 'Tri-dosha' of consequences: Duḥkha (immediate physical pain/discomfort), Śhoka (mental grief/agitation), and Āmaya (chronic disease). This verse emphasizes that our food choices are not just fuel but a reflection of our internal Guna (quality) and a predictor of our future well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 17.9?
Foods that are bitter, sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry and burning, and which produce pain, sorrow and disease, are dear to those in the mode of passion.