________________
187
that class of food which gives the quality of slothfnlness of absence of motion, of the property of giving heat, or quietness even. These three properties of matter, each are found on the physical plane to have the qualities corresponding to those on the mental and moral planes. In this way we would not advocate some kinds of foods which are accepted as good by the chemists, and here the the great distinction comes in which the Hindus make in regard to food. In the matter of animal and vegetable food they accept the one and reject the other. The reason for this is different from the reasons given by the chemists. We admit that we have the same elements in animal food as in vegetable, but there are certain injurious properties in the animal food which do not exist in the vegetable. Take the first property of matter, quietness, purity, calinness, which is to be fonnd in all those very substantial and nutritious, in wheat and other nitrogenous substances, in milk, in butter even to a certain extent. These are used for the purpose of forming tissues, muscles, etc. There are other substances belonging to the second class which create heat in the body and these are the substances in which carbon is predominant. All fatty substance, all starchy substances are of the second class. In the human system these elements are necessary and therefore the first and second kinds of food are very important. The third kind gives sluggishness to the human
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
