SWASTHASYA SWASTHYA RAKSHANAM , AATURASYA VIKARA PRASHAMANAM.

Aahara Provides

• Prana
• Varna (Complexion)
• Tusti (Satisfaction)
• Pusti (Nourishment)
• Bala (Strength)
• Medha (Intelligence)
• Pratibha (Talent)
• Sukham (Happiness)
• Jivitum (Our Life)

Methods of consuming Aahara (food)

• As per Acharya Charaka , in our stomach 3 parts have to be made.
  • Part for solid food like rice, dal, greens
  • Part for liquid food like water, milk
  • Part for movement of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha

When the above is followed adverse effects with respect to the quantity of food consumed will not happen.

• Based on the basis of our strength of AGNI (digestive fire).
  • Guru Aahara (Heavy to digest like food cooked in oil or ghee, sweets, dairy products, dry fruit gravy, etc.) should be consumed until half satisfied.
  • Laghu Aahara (light food) can be consumed until fully satisfied.

Types of Aahara

• Bhojya – like Rice, Dal
• Bhakshya – like Laddu(sweet), Chapati
• Chavya – like Chana, Mixture (fried food)
• Lehya – like Srikhand (that which is licked)
• Chushya – like Mango ( that which is sucked) 
• Peya – like Milk

Factors affecting Aahara

• Prakruti (Nature) 

Each medicinal drug will have a particular natural medicinal property like urad dal is heavy for digestion or moong dal is light for digestion which is their natural character.

• Karana (Preparation)

When we prepare or when samskar is given to a particular dravya ( a grain or medicinal drug) by adding water or grinding or trachuration or purifying with another dravya or with the passing of time, or storing in a particular vessel we see new character formed.  E.g. Ghee when stored in a copper vessel turns poisonous or chana dal soaked turns soft when it comes in contact with water etc.

• Agni Sannikarsha (coming in contact with fire)

Though rice is heavy for digestion, as it comes in contact with water and agni, it becomes light for digestion. 

• Shocha (Cleaning)

When a drug bhallataka which is poisonous by nature is repeatedly cleaned with cow urine it turns to be drug with good medicinal properties.

• Manthana (Churning)

Curds are heavy for digestion but when churned and butter taken out, it becomes buttermilk which is very light for digestion.

• Desha (Place)

There is a change in the property of particular grain or drug according to the place it grows.

• Kala (Time)

We all know that newly harvested rice is heavy for digestion while old rice maybe 18 months old is very light for digestion.

• Bhavana (Trachuration)

When amalaki rasa( juice of gooseberry) trachuration is done to amalaki powder,  the properties of amalaki increase.

• Bhajana (Contact)

When ghee is kept in a copper vessel acts poisonous, but the water kept in a copper vessel is good for health.

• Samyoga (Combination)

Combination of two or more dravya. When ghee and honey are consumed separately or in unequal quantities, it is good but when consumed in equal quantities together acts like a poison.

Effects of Aahara when eaten in proper quantity

• There is no pressure on the stomach due to the food taken.
• There is no obstruction to the proper functioning of the heart.
• There is no pain in the sides of the chest.
• Proper nourishment of our senses is seen.
• There is relief from hunger and thirst.
• There is a feeling of comfort in standing, sleeping, walking, exhaling, inhaling, laughing, and talking.
• Whatever food is taken in the morning gets digested by evening and food taken during the evening gets digested by the next morning.
• There is a promotion of strength and complexion.

Effects of Aahara when eaten in less quantity

• Impairment in the growth of body, strength, and complexion is seen
• He is not satisfied.
• Distension of the abdomen (absence of downward movement of food).
• Longevity of life is disturbed or lessened
• Reduction in strength and ojas is seen.
• The body, mind, and intellect gets affected.
• The person looks pale.
• 80 types of vataja disease may be caused.

Atimatra (Too much food intake) Causes indigestion and over the period leads to obesity and many diseases.

Aahara never to be taken – Kurchika – Mixing milk and curds or buttermilk. Having curds, urad dal, Yavaka.

Aahara that should be taken daily – Shastika Rice, Shali Rice, Jawar. Moong, Saindhava Salt, Gooseberry (Amalaki) Water, Milk, Ghee, Honey.

According to Ayurveda we should have the Aahara that is grown in that particular area.

Eg : We are staying in Delhi and having a particular diet. And then we shift to Bangalore. Then over a period of a couple of years, we have to slowly change to the diet of that place. This is very essential and helps to have good health.

Finally, would conclude that hitkara (pleasant) Aahara is good for maintaining health, longevity, intellect, good voice, and complexion. It gives strength to our sattva guna.

All these are seen when Aahara or food is taken in proper quantity, proper time, and properly prepared. Otherwise, adverse effects are caused. Thus, it is Prana as it supports the life element in each one of us.