December 26, 2021

 Ayurvedam consists of works from different rishis and maharishis like Maharishi Charak, Maharshi Sushrut etc. It’s believed that primarily Bhagwan Dhanwantri passed on this knowledge of Ayurvedam to our rishis and so we celebrate Dhanteras which is ideally the day of health and not wealth. It’s the most ancient, advanced and vast form of medical sciences. Most people nowadays think that its only limited to some jadi buti stuff but the fact is that Maharshi Sushrut was the founder of surgery and plastic surgery. Yes, he did plastic surgery thousands of years ago and mentioned the complete procedure in his book Sushrut Samhita which is still present. Ayurvedam has an organic cure for every disease in this world and explicitly mentions about the impact of thousands of herbs on the body. Its unfortunate that we’re unaware of our rich heritage. ‘’Right now what is the most important thing in your life? Your bank balance, your business, your family, your relationships, what you’re planning or your’re alive right now, which is the most important thing? You’re alive right now is the most important thing.’’ These lines by Sadhguru draws our immediate attention towards the significance of a healthy body because without it everything is useless. It should be the priority in our daily lives. According to modern sciences, there are a lot many things which we need to consider while choosing a healthy meal like calories, nutrients, vitamins, weight of food and what not. When it comes to our Ayurvedic scriptures then it has some pretty basic rules of having a meal for a healthy lifestyle. In this blog we’ll discuss about those basics with proper explanation. This blog may be lengthy but it’ll be adding a lot of value in your life. This blog is inspired by the references of scriptures provided by a certified Ayurvedic doctor, Dr. Arun Mishra(BAMS). Hindi translation and other important links will be provided in the end of this blog. Pre-meal directions : »»» First of all, Ayurvedam mentions about hygiene i.e. hands, feet and mouth should be properly washed before sitting for a meal. Explanation: – Bad germs and bacteria can enter in our body and make us fall sick which needs to be washed off from our hands and same goes for rinsing the mouth. Scriptures also say to clean our feet properly because it ignites the digestive fire. Note- Do not use handwash or soap with harsh chemicals or with toxic ingredients as it will also kill the good bacteria which are helpful for proper digestion and those harsh chemicals can even go inside the body. So, use organic soaps or handwash or simply use soil to clean palm of hands. Avoid sanitizers as well »»» To eat food, one should sit on a mat in sukh asana(legs cross folded). Explanation: – As per Ayurvedam, this is the best posture in which the food assimilates properly. »»» Never eat anything when you’re emotionally disturb. Explanation:- When we’re emotionally disturb, our digestive fire is hampered. That is why we don’t feel hungry when we’re in immense states of negative feelings. Therefore, we shouldn’t eat anything during that time otherwise the food will not get digested properly and produce toxins in the body which will further lead to diseases. »»» Express gratitude towards the food by thanking Ishwar and the farmer. Explanation:- Ishwar has given us this body and a free will to do anything in this universe and food provided by Ishwar is a support system to do karm. So, we must express gratitude towards it. A farmer does immense efforts to bring food on our table. A person with 9-5 cubicle job can’t even think of that much hard work. In an ideal society a farmer should be one of the most respected person. Unfortunately, from the Britisher era to the pseudo Britishers era(us) nothing has changed for them. At least thank them with your heart before having the meal. It makes mind satvik and makes food much more pleasant for the body. Marathi Health What to eat and what to avoid? »»» Avoid calculating calories, protein, vitamins etc. and just try to assimilate all 6 tastes in your meal i.e. sweet(meetha),bitter(kadwa),astringent(kasaila),spicy(teekha),sour(khatta) and salty(namkeen). Explanation:- Rather than focusing on vitamins, nutrients, calories etc., a person should only focus on having all 6 tastes in the diet and the sources of these tastes should change regularly. Such type of diet will automatically take care of the body. »»» Eat seasonal and local fruits and vegetables instead of fancy imported stuffs. Explanation:- Mother nature knows the way to balance out things. She knows which food is suitable for which locality and season. So, stay away from those wrongly marketed avocados and choose fruits and vegetables which are local, fresh and seasonal. »»» Eat cooked food within three hours of its cooking as it becomes tamasic after that and will do more harm than good whether it is kept in fridge or preserved by adding chemicals. Explanation:- In Bhagavat Geeta, Yogiraj Shri Krishna also says to eat cooked food as soon as you can because it starts to loose it’s satvik properties once it gets cooked and becomes rajasic or tamasic after a time period of 1.5 hours to 3 hours depending on the food’s nature. Ayurvedam also recommends the same to eat hot and fresh and completely avoid food which was cooked before the 3 hours window because eating them to save food will be a stupid decision, instead offer it to an animal. Now you know what to do with those packed items of chips, bhujiya, biscuits, ice-creams etc. available in the nearby stores. Don’t give it to an animal because even animals deserve better than eating those items made out of palm oil, refined flour, sugar, artificial flavours, colors etc. Simply don’t purchase them or eat them. »»» Eat flour(atta) instead of refined flour(maida),pure cold pressed mustard or sesame or groundnut oil or ghee instead of refined oil, thread mishri(not small mishri crystals) or