The Suitable Diet for a yogi!

One can attain all metaphysical Siddhies (perfections) and even the moksha (salvation) through yoga, but without proper diet no yoga is possible. Nobody can attain the Self-Realization or the Enlightenment without having pure Anna (food). A pure, body-building diet is indispensable for all yoga-practicians. In fact, Sattvik Aahara (pure diet), Niddra (sound and regulated sleep) and Brahmcharya (sexual abstinence)- are the pillars of our body.

Sattvik Aahara (pure diet) is a diet or food which promotes longevity, intelligence, strength, health, happiness, delight; and is sweet, mild, nourishing and agreeably tasteful. It is said in the Chhandogya Upnishada- “Through pure food the sattva quality (purity) improves in a man.”

In Indian scriptures the food is regarded as Prana (vitality). The Indian yogis adore it and they don’t accept food in Bhiksha (alms) from every door or every hand. Food increases the span of life and strength. It is the base of Pranayama (breathing skill).

Lord Buddha couldn’t attain Bodhisattva (Puranabodha or supreme knowledge) and Nirvana (salvation) till he had taken Khir (rice-milk pudding) presented to him by a girl named Nandbala, daughter of Gopraj; at the bank of Nairanjana River of Gaya, an ancient city of India.

Lord Krishna said- “Yoga is not for him who eats too much nor for him who does not eat at all, nor for him who is given to too much sleep, nor for him who is ceaselessly awake. Yoga which rids one of grief, is accomplished only by him who is regulated in diet and recreation, regulated in performing actions and regulated in sleeping and waking.”

As is the Anna (food) so is the Mana (mind). The mind cannot become pure and pacified without control over diet. After exercising yogic-postures food containing milk and fruit is the best; and bitter, acidic and saltish foods should be given up.

"Salt, chilies, spices, food producing excess of heat, excess of sleep, excess of talk are harmful to the practice of yoga."

Nourish yourself on milk, fruit and fresh vegetables; especially-

Guava, papaya, apple, date, mango, grapes, blackberry, pineapple, banana, sugarcane, murabba (jam), munakka (raisin) and honey.

Dry fruit- Mainly almond, akhrot (chestnut) and kishmish (currant).

Vegetables as; Palak (spinach), mint, carrot, beet, pumpkin, potato, shakkarkandi (sweet potato), ginger, cucumber, kathal (jack fruit) and brinjal.

Spices as; black pepper and illayachi (cardamum).

Pulses & puddings as; moongi (kidney-beam), arhar (myrobalan) and chana (gram), khichari (rice-pulse pudding) and dalia (mash or sweet pudding of wheat). Grains; bhutta (maize), barley, gram, rice and chapati (bread) of wheat.

Food you should avoid-

Butter, maida (fine-floor), khoya (condensed milk), garlic, onion, red-chilli, cassia, imli (tamarind), jayephal (nutmeg), dry-ginger, jira (pollen), heeng (asafoetida), pickle, pomegranate, coconut, sauce, vinegar, tea , coffee and paan-supari (beetal and beetal-nut). Avoid highly-salted, bitter (acid), too much hot, burnt, half-cooked, polluted, oily, spicy, rotten and tasteless food.

Abstain from alcohol, wine, opium, dhatura (belladonna) and all kinds of intoxication (drugs). Don’t smoke. Give up meat, mutton, chicken, fish, beef, pork. Be purely vegetarian.

Take simple, light but energetic meal. Don’t keep fasts or take food in excess, normal breathing. To eat whatever you want at any time is harmful. It may lead to ailments. Don’t eat in other’s plate. Don’t talk while eating. You should take your food respectfully and happily. Don’t take meals at sunset, nor at midnight.

In all circumstances at first you should wash your face, hands and feet. Sit properly keeping your face towards the East or the North. Then remember God who is the giver and chant some sacred-word (Mantra) for a while before you start eating. Serve food equally.

Niddra (sound and regulated sleep): One shouldn’t sleep much.

Brahmcharya (sexual abstinence): During the practice of yoga (in the session) one should try to keep control over one’s passions and stay away from the sexual-intercourse. Live silent and in aloofness.

Do this and be a yogi. Have a nice day!