Bhagavad Gita 17.10 — Stale, Tasteless, and Impure Food Is Dear to the Tamasic
यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् ।
उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् ॥ १७.१० ॥
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Food that is stale, tasteless, foul-smelling, and rotten, and which is leftover and impure, is dear to the tamasic.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yātayāmam | stale; cooked long before eating |
| gatarasam | tasteless; whose essence is gone |
| pūti | foul-smelling; putrid |
| paryuṣhitam | rotten; kept overnight |
| cha | and |
| yat | which |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| uchchhiṣhṭam | left over; remnants of what others have eaten |
| api | also |
| cha | and |
| amedhyam | impure; unfit for offering |
| bhojanam | food |
| tāmasa | to the tamasic; to those in the mode of ignorance |
| priyam | dear; liked |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yātayāmam | stale; cooked long before eating | uchchhiṣhṭam | left over; remnants of what others have eaten |
| gatarasam | tasteless; whose essence is gone | api | also |
| pūti | foul-smelling; putrid | cha | and |
| paryuṣhitam | rotten; kept overnight | amedhyam | impure; unfit for offering |
| cha | and | bhojanam | food |
| yat | which | tāmasa | to the tamasic; to those in the mode of ignorance |
| priyam | dear; liked | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna describes tāmasika food, which is stale, tasteless, decayed, and impure. It is dear to those who are dull and deluded, and it further deepens inertia and darkness in the mind.
Essence
Food That Dulls the Mind
After describing the food of purity and the food of passion, Lord Krishna describes the food of ignorance.
Yāta-yāmam (stale, cooked long before and left to cool): Food that has been kept so long that its freshness and life energy have gone.
Gata-rasam (tasteless, having lost its essence): The natural juice and nourishment have dried up, so the food gives little real strength.
Pūti (foul-smelling) and paryuṣitam (decomposed or spoiled by sitting too long): Food that has begun to rot or ferment in an unwholesome way.
Ucchiṣṭam (leftovers, food that has been partly eaten by others): In the traditional understanding, this refers to food that has lost its cleanliness and respect, and was not prepared with care.
Amedhyam (impure and unfit for offering): Food that is unclean or unsuitable to be offered with reverence.
The pattern here is neglect, lack of freshness, and lack of care. Tamasic eating reflects a life that has lost its vigour and attention. Just as the body becomes heavy after poor food, the mind also becomes sluggish and clouded.
It is worth noticing that Lord Krishna does not scold; he simply describes cause and effect. By understanding the effects of each kind of food, a person can freely choose to improve.
Message for Everyday Life (Freshness, Care, and Awareness)
Avoid carelessness in daily habits: Eating stale, unhealthy, or careless meals is often a sign of a rushed or neglectful life. Neglect in small matters eventually creeps into thought and action.
Practical approach: Eat freshly prepared food whenever possible and give some attention and gratitude to your meals. Treat caring for yourself as part of your daily dharma. A little care in these small matters brings lightness and alertness to the mind.
Food That Dulls the Mind
After describing the food of purity and the food of passion, Lord Krishna describes the food of ignorance.
Yāta-yāmam (stale, cooked long before and left to cool): Food that has been kept so long that its freshness and life energy have gone.
Gata-rasam (tasteless, having lost its essence): The natural juice and nourishment have dried up, so the food gives little real strength.
Pūti (foul-smelling) and paryuṣitam (decomposed or spoiled by sitting too long): Food that has begun to rot or ferment in an unwholesome way.
Ucchiṣṭam (leftovers, food that has been partly eaten by others): In the traditional understanding, this refers to food that has lost its cleanliness and respect, and was not prepared with care.
Amedhyam (impure and unfit for offering): Food that is unclean or unsuitable to be offered with reverence.
The pattern here is neglect, lack of freshness, and lack of care. Tamasic eating reflects a life that has lost its vigour and attention. Just as the body becomes heavy after poor food, the mind also becomes sluggish and clouded.
It is worth noticing that Lord Krishna does not scold; he simply describes cause and effect. By understanding the effects of each kind of food, a person can freely choose to improve.
Message for Everyday Life (Freshness, Care, and Awareness)
Avoid carelessness in daily habits: Eating stale, unhealthy, or careless meals is often a sign of a rushed or neglectful life. Neglect in small matters eventually creeps into thought and action.
Practical approach: Eat freshly prepared food whenever possible and give some attention and gratitude to your meals. Treat caring for yourself as part of your daily dharma. A little care in these small matters brings lightness and alertness to the mind.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has completed his description of the three kinds of food. He now turns to the second item in his list, yajña, or sacred action, beginning with the sattvic form, which is performed with the right attitude and without desire for reward.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
A fresh life begins with fresh choices.
Indifference is a slow way of harming oneself.
Raise your daily standards and the rest will follow.
Waking up begins with small things.
Lethargy feeds on what is lifeless.
Self-respect begins on our own plate.
One better choice breaks the habit of dullness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'yātayāma' (stale) mean?
What do 'gatarasa' (tasteless) and 'pūti' (foul-smelling) indicate?
What is meant by 'uchchhiṣhṭa' (leftover remnants) and 'amedhya' (impure)?
Why is such food described as 'tāmasapriya' (dear to the tamasic)?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
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