Food equals Life – The body is the product of food
And he knew that food was Brahman
From food all beings are born
by food they live and into food they return
Upanishad 3.2
Ahara/ Food has been worshipped since ancient times as the giver and sustainer of life
A statement by Charaka ”the self controlled man can life for a hundred years free from disease through the intake of hita ahara/ wholesome diet.
In Ayurveda the physical body is called Kaya. The sanskrit word Kaya can be translated that the body is a build up of food.
Already 5000 years ago Ayurveda has recognised that the body is the result or an outcome of the food we eat.
Food can be the cause (nidana) of a disease
Food can be the treatment (chikitsa) of a disease
Wholesome food and drinks have good colour, smell, taste and are pleasing to the senses and conducive to health, if taken in accordance with the ayurvedic rules.
According to Ayurveda – complexion, clarity, good voice, longevity, happiness, satisfaction, nourishment, mental/ physical strength and intellect are all conditioned by food.
Ayurveda recognises six different tastes
1.MADHURA/ SWEET
2.AMLA/SOUR
3.LAVANA/SALTY
4.KATU/ HOT
5.TIKTA/BITTER
6.KASAYA/ ASTRINGENT
The six different taste are important and should be present in the daily diet. The different rasa/ taste can be used to bring equilibrium to the doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha).
Some of the Ayurvedic rules for food intake:
1. Intake of food should be warm
2. Food should be unctuous
3. Food should be in proper quantity
4. Intake of food should only be after digestion of the previous meal
5. The food should not have contradictory potencies e.g sour and sweet food such as fruit and milk
6. Intake of food should be in a proper place and seated
7. Intake of food should be without hurry or worry
8. Intake of food should not be too fast or too slow
9. One should take the food while not talking or laughing
Want to know your body constitution and see what foods and taste is most beneficial for you.
You are welcome for a consultation at Lakshmi Ayurveda
Consultation price: 90 minutes ($85)
Private Health fund rebate!
For bookings call Karin 0406810547
Food Prayer
Brahmaapanam Brahmahavir Brahmaagnau Brahmanaahutam
Brahmaivatena Gantavyam Brahmakarma Samaadhinaa
Aham Vaishvanaro Bhootvaa Praaninaam Dehamaashritah
Praanapaana Samaayuktah Pachaamyannam Chaturvidham
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Bhagavad Gita Ch. 4 verse 24
The act of offering is Brahman. The offering itself is Brahman. The offering is done by Brahman in the sacred fire which is Brahman. He alone attains Brahman who, in all actions, is fully absorbed in Brahman.
“I am Vaishnavara, existing as fire God in the bodies of living beings. Being associated with ingoing and outgoing life breaths, I will digest all the four different types of food
and purify them.”
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