Chapter 17, Verse 8 (Bhagavad Gita 17.8)
Chapter 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yog – Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith
Sanskrit Shloka
आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः।रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः
Transliteration
āyuḥ-sattva-balārogya-sukha-prīti-vivardhanāḥ rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛidyā āhārāḥ sāttvika-priyāḥ
Word Meanings
āyuḥ sattva—which promote longevity; bala—strength; ārogya—health; sukha—happiness; prīti—satisfaction; vivardhanāḥ—increase; rasyāḥ—juicy; snigdhāḥ—succulent; sthirāḥ—nourishing; hṛidyāḥ—pleasing to the heart; āhārāḥ—food; sāttvika-priyāḥ—dear to those in the mode of goodness
Translation
Foods that promote longevity, purity, strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction—foods that are succulent, unctuous, sustaining, and agreeable—are dear to those in the mode of goodness.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound instruction, Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, reveals that the path to spiritual liberation begins with the body, which is the temple of the soul. By choosing foods that are Sattvic, a seeker aligns their physical nature with divine harmony, thereby calming the mind and preparing it for meditation upon Him. Bhagwan Shri Krishna emphasizes that our dietary choices are not merely physical; they are spiritual acts that dictate the quality of our consciousness and our capacity for devotion. When one consumes pure, life-affirming nourishment, they naturally gravitate toward the truth, moving away from the darkness of ignorance. Thus, Yogeshwar Krishna teaches that even the simplest act of eating can be transformed into a disciplined step toward union with the Supreme.