Introduction to Jainism and its Culture

SR No.: 001605
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 334
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Culture
File Size: 21 MB

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Thus we see that food effects our body and also our thoughts. This thing has been summed up in a popular saying - 'As is the food you eat so becomes your mind and as is the water you drink so becomes your speech. Food is said to be of three types – Sātvika, Rājasika, and Tāmasika. The food that is easily digestible and awakens morality, bliss, and alacrity in mind is called Sātvika food. This includes flour, pulses, rice, vegetables, fruits, dry fruits, etc. The food that gives rise to pride and other such thoughts and dampens enthusiasm in pious deeds is called Rājasika food. Such food is difficult to digest. This includes fried things, savoury food, excessively sour, pungent, and flavoured food. The food that triggers lust, anger and other perverse feelings and inspires thoughts of theft and lechery is called Tāmasika food. This includes meat, alcohol, fish, egg, etc.
Food effects body and mind equally. Therefore, in order to be a man with lofty ideals one should always eat simple and Sātvika food. To sum up, as one's food is so will be his thoughts and behaviour.
IMPORTANCE OF VOWS AND FASTING
Science of medicine does not stop just at providing cure for ailments. It first of all emphasizes that food habits should be so regulated as to avoid chances of falling sick. Aimed at such preventive steps it answers these four questions in details - 1. Why to eat? 2. What to eat? 3. When to eat? and 4. How much to eat? In this context, almost all schools of medicine provide the same answers and they are - 1. Food should be eaten to sustain and maintain the body. 2. Food should be simple, Sātvika, not against the nature, and nutritious. 3. Food should be eaten when one is hungry. When there is no appetite one should not eat just as a routine or for the sake of formality. 4. One should eat slightly less than his appetite.
If a person follows these codes the chances of falling sick are reduced because majority of ailments have their origin in stomach trouble. In case one gets sick due to his indiscipline or gourmandism he should resort to fasting to cure the stomach trouble and recover normal appetite. If one is not ailing and is normal even than he should go without food once a week.
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