Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
An historical quote from Chanakya Neeti places forth a thought in entrance of us whereby Acharya Chanakya superbly explains the significance of meals and reproductive well being and the progeny we deliver into this world with the assistance of a metaphor.
On this article we will delve deep into this verse and discover its which means and in addition see what Ayurveda opines about the identical.
Meals, reproductive well being and progeny – the hyperlink
Deepo It eats Darkish Kajjala f and It’s born.
Yadnannam Bhakshayennityayam is born Such Prajahanakya नीति८.३।
The lamp eats up (feeds on) the darkness and provides rise to kajjala i.e. soot or lamp black / black smoke. Equally the human beings additionally give rise to (start to) the progeny primarily based on what sorts of meals they eat day by day.
The philosophy within the metaphor
Going deep into the philosophy of the metaphor of this verse, we will see the trigger and impact relationship between two completely different sequences of motion.
- The lamp or the sunshine of the lamp eats the darkness i.e. wards off the darkness attributable to its illumination. It undoubtedly glows up every part round us and provides us mild but in addition offers rise to one thing which is darkish i.e. black smoke or soot. So, it eats darkish and provides rise to one thing which is darkish.
- We reside by consuming meals. So, we’re like that lamp. So no matter we produce or give again will observe the qualities of the meals. On this context we’re talking in regards to the progeny, which is a product of meals, similar to the darkish smoke or soot which is a product of the lamp consuming the darkness. If we eat good and wholesome meals, we give start to good and wholesome progeny. The character of the progeny will probably be much like the character and qualities of the meals we eat.
Nature of meals v/s nature of progeny
The character of the food plan could also be sattvika, rajasika or tamasika.
If we eat sattvika kind of meals – pure, wholesome, unadulterated and helpful meals, we give start to a toddler who’s sattvika in nature – good, serene and balanced people.
If we eat rajasika kind of meals – stimulating varieties of meals, the progeny born could have rajasika nature – passionate, pushed and aggressive people.
Then again, the progeny will probably be of tamasika nature – i.e. boring, lazy, ignorant and inert when born to the mother and father who eat meals wealthy in tamo guna – meals which produce lethargy or dullness.
Dialogue, Ayurveda Opinion
This shloka / verse which seems easy conveys many issues.
It depicts the influence of meals on the thoughts. Completely different meals have completely different sorts of influence on the thoughts or psychological make-up of people.
We additionally study that the psychological traits, personalities and behaviors of oldsters are inherited by the progeny. The bridge is wholesome meals or conscious selection of meals.
We’re what we eat. We’re created by ahara rasa – the vitamin coming to us by the meals we eat.
Does this verse solely clarify how completely different meals are chargeable for completely different psychological make-up of the progeny?
Many specialists who’ve decoded this verse have opined that the meals we eat are chargeable for the thoughts and behavioral make-up of people. However the bodily part is the latent facet. We all know that the physique is nurtured by the vitamins derived from the meals. It’s useless to inform that the bodily well being of progeny relies on the vitamin the infant receives by fetal circulation. Right here, Acharya was most likely hinting in the direction of one thing which we’d miss, ‘the food-mind make-up relationship’ assuming that the bodily facet is apparent.
Ayurveda ideas
Ayurveda classics are enriched with meals fundamentals and fundamentals that are relevant and virtually related even within the modern-day.
In accordance with Ayurveda, Ahara is Upastambha – the pillar of life.
Garbha sambhava samagri – Ayurveda embryology mentions 4 essential elements required for formation and correct growth of the fetus which incorporates bodily, psychological and emotional growth of the kid within the mom’s womb, as soon as it’s fashioned. They’re Rtu – correct time for conception, Kshetra – the womb which is the seat of implantation and growth of the fetus, Bija – the female and male seeds i.e. sperm (particularly) and ovum and Ambu – the dietary liquids coming to the fetus from the mom – the fetal circulation. They’re known as Garbha Sambhava Samagri – elements wanted for formation of wholesome fetuses. Right here we will see that the wholesome meals have been talked about. If the mom takes wholesome meals, the wholesome essence of the identical would attain the kid within the womb, which additional engineers’ complete body-mind-emotional growth of the kid.
Garbhini Paricharya – Ayurveda emphasizes wholesome meals for pregnant girls for her well being and in addition for wholesome growth of the fetus in Garbhini Paricharya, which incorporates inclusions and exclusions, helpful and dangerous meals. There’s additionally ‘month-wise customization of dietetic protocol’. Ayurveda additionally stresses upon the wholesome meals which needs to be consumed by the person in order to kind and preserve wholesome shukra – sperms, semen and hormones associated to formation and launch of wholesome sperms wanted for wholesome conception of kid.
Rasaja bhava – Ayurveda has talked about Rasaja Bhava – elements creating within the youngster that are derived from the vitamin it receives from the mom throughout intra-uterine life. They embrace progress of tissues, complexion, life, decay and dying and so on.
Among the many Garbhopaghatakara Bhavas i.e. elements which might destroy the fetus, contradicted meals and restrictions have been enumerated in Ayurveda.
Ayurveda additionally speaks in regards to the impact of meals within the bodily and psychological growth and make-up of people. Meals making an influence on the thoughts and its qualities i.e. sattva, rajas and tamas have been enumerated.
Dhatus – tissues are fashioned by the meals we eat. Wholesome Shukra and Sonita – sperm and ovum are additionally fashioned by the wholesome meals we eat. The progeny born out of such sperm and ovum will probably be bodily and mentally wholesome.
Associated Analysis and Research
Penalties of Paternal Vitamin on Offspring Well being and Illness – This research emphasizes and establishes the significance of maternal food plan throughout peri-conceptional interval and its influence on progeny’s well being.
Have a nutritious diet throughout being pregnant – This research stresses upon wholesome consuming throughout being pregnant and its significance on progress and growth of the infant.
Different reads
Examine – The significance of vitamin in being pregnant and lactation: lifelong penalties
Examine – Stipulations of Ayurveda in wholesome progeny
Examine – Ayurveda Method for Conceiving a Wholesome Progeny
Examine – Weight loss plan and human reproductive system: Perception of omics approaches
Examine – Meals and affect within the sexual and reproductive well being
Examine – Weight loss plan and sperm high quality: Vitamins, meals and dietary patterns
