Discover how the role of diet in Brahmacharya influences mind and body purity. Learn about Sattvic foods, forbidden foods, and the benefits of fasting for maintaining Brahmacharya.
What is the Importance of Diet in Brahmacharya?
Diet plays a prominent role in maintaining Brahmacharya, which is the practice of celibacy and self-discipline. Purity of food leads to purity of mind, which is crucial for Brahmacharya. The connection between the body and mind is significantly influenced by the food we consume. Pure and Sattvic food strengthens both mind and body, making it easier to uphold Brahmacharya.
How Does Food Influence the Mind and Body?
Various kinds of food have different effects on the mind and body. For instance, Sattvic food promotes calmness and clarity, while Rajasic and Tamasic foods stimulate passions and restlessness. The brain has different compartments, and each type of food affects these compartments differently, influencing emotions, passions, and overall mental stability.
What Foods are Considered Sattvic?
Sattvic foods are pure and conducive to maintaining Brahmacharya. These include:
– Cheru: A mixture of boiled white rice, ghee, white sugar, and milk.
– Havis Annam: A similar preparation to Cheru.
– Milk: A perfect food with balanced nutrients, ideal for Yogins and Brahmacharins.
– Fruits: Energy-producing and nutritious, such as bananas, grapes, sweet oranges, apples, pomegranates, and mangoes.
– Dry fruits: Grapes, raisins, dates, and figs.
– Fresh fruits: Bananas, mangoes, Sapotas, melons, limes, pineapples, apples, wood apples, and sweet pomegranates.
– Other items: Sugar, sugar-candy, honey, sago, arrowroot, tender coconut water, almonds, pistachio nuts, Toor Dhal, Ragi, barley, maize, wheat, and specific types of rice.
Which Foods Should be Avoided?
Certain foods should be avoided as they can hinder Brahmacharya by stimulating passion and restlessness. These include:
– Highly seasoned dishes, hot curries, chutneys, and chillies.
– Meat, fish, eggs, tobacco, liquor, and sour articles.
– Garlic, onions, and bitter things.
– Stale food, acids, astringents, and pungent stuffs.
– Heavy vegetables and excessive salt.
Salt, in particular, is considered the worst enemy as it excites passion. Even without adding salt separately, the system derives enough from other foodstuffs.
What is Mitahara and Why is it Important?
Mitahara refers to moderation in diet. It involves consuming Sattvic food in moderate quantities—half stomachful of food, a quarter with water, and leaving the remaining quarter empty. This practice is essential for Brahmacharins to avoid overloading the stomach, especially at night, as overloading can lead to nocturnal emissions. Control of the tongue is crucial, as it directly influences the control of passion.
How Does Fasting Benefit Brahmacharya?
Fasting is a powerful tool for controlling passion and purifying the mind. It calms the emotions and controls the senses (Indriyas). Fasting periodically is highly beneficial for passionate young individuals as it purifies the body and mind, strengthens willpower, and aids in meditation.
Fasting also has physiological benefits:
– It rests the digestive organs.
– Removes impurities and toxins from the body.
– Overhauls respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and urinary systems.
What are the Recommended Practices for Fasting?
Fasting should be approached sensibly. Beginners should start with a one-day fast and gradually increase the duration. It is essential to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. During fasting, the focus should be on spiritual activities such as meditation and prayer. Avoid thinking about food to derive maximum benefit from fasting.
How to Break a Fast Properly?
Breaking a fast should be done carefully to avoid overwhelming the digestive system. After a long fast, begin with fruit juices like sweet orange or pomegranate juice. Sip the juice slowly to ease the digestive system back into action. Solid food should be reintroduced gradually.
Why is Moderation Key in Brahmacharya?
Moderation, or Mitahara, is crucial for maintaining Brahmacharya. Overeating can lead to various health issues such as diabetes and dyspepsia. Most people consume more food than necessary, which can cause diseases. An occasional complete fast can help maintain good health, relieve the digestive system, and support Brahmacharya. Moderation develops willpower and endurance, both vital for spiritual practice.
Maintaining Brahmacharya is not just about abstaining from sexual activities but also involves a disciplined lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, moderation, and regular fasting. By choosing Sattvic foods, avoiding stimulants, and practicing moderation, one can achieve the purity of mind and body necessary for Brahmacharya.
