Chapter 17: Śraddhā-traya-vibhāga-yoga: / Verse 9

Three gunas of Prakrti permeate everything. The herbal domain, which caters to our food and nourishment, is no exception in this. Each item has its own qualities, taste and consequence.

Let not taste rule the selection of food. Tasty items may be harmful to one’s body and health. Discrimination must be the watchword in this. Select such items as are conducive to digestion and well-being.

Rājasa food, says Krishna, has strong flavours and tastes, none of which is good for the gross body or the subtle mind. Whatever one eats is in the mouth for a few minutes, but for hours in the alimentary canal. All rājasa food is thus harmful to the body.

Use tastes discreetly to make the recipe soothing even after eating. A combination of tastes is stimulating indeed. Very good food, delicious and assimilable, can be made with choice items. Here lies the skill and attention in cooking.