Bhagavad Gita 17.9 — Excessively Sharp and Stimulating Foods Are Dear to the Rajasic
कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिनः ।
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः ॥ १७.९ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
Foods that are bitter, sour, salty, excessively hot, pungent, dry, and burning, and that produce pain, grief, and disease, are liked by the rajasic.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kaṭu | bitter |
| amla | sour |
| lavaṇa | salty |
| ati | excessively |
| uṣhṇa | hot |
| tīkṣhṇa | pungent; sharp |
| rūkṣha | dry |
| vidāhinaḥ | burning; causing a burning sensation |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| āhārāḥ | foods |
| rājasasya | of the rajasic person; of one in the mode of passion |
| iṣhṭāḥ | liked; desired |
| duḥkha | pain; discomfort |
| śhoka | grief; distress |
| āmaya | disease; illness |
| pradāḥ | producing; giving |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kaṭu | bitter | āhārāḥ | foods |
| amla | sour | rājasasya | of the rajasic person; of one in the mode of passion |
| lavaṇa | salty | iṣhṭāḥ | liked; desired |
| ati | excessively | duḥkha | pain; discomfort |
| uṣhṇa | hot | śhoka | grief; distress |
| tīkṣhṇa | pungent; sharp | āmaya | disease; illness |
| rūkṣha | dry | pradāḥ | producing; giving |
| vidāhinaḥ | burning; causing a burning sensation | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here, Lord Krishna describes rājasika food, which is excessively sharp, hot, and stimulating. Such food is loved by people of passionate nature, but it ultimately produces pain, distress, and disease.
Essence
Food That Excites and Agitates
In contrast to sattvic food, rajasic food is marked by extremes. Lord Krishna lists its qualities.
Kaṭu (bitter), amla (sour), lavaṇa (very salty): These tastes in excess overstimulate the senses.
Atyuṣṇa (excessively hot), tīkṣṇa (sharp), rūkṣa (dry), vidāhī (burning): Foods that burn the tongue and the stomach, leave the body dry and irritated, and create inner heat.
Duḥkha (pain), śoka (distress), āmaya (disease): Lord Krishna names the three results. Such food may give momentary thrill, but it brings physical discomfort, mental unrest, and eventually illness. The words duḥkha and śoka also carry a hint of emotional agitation, since an overstimulated body makes a restless mind.
The key idea is excess, signalled by the word ati (excessively) in the verse itself. Rajas is the quality of craving more intensity, more stimulation, more of everything. The person who lives by rajas keeps seeking stronger flavours and experiences, and in doing so loses peace.
It is a fine example of how the guṇas operate: the preference for rajasic food arises from a restless mind, and the food in turn fuels that restlessness.
Message for Everyday Life (The Trap of Constant Stimulation)
Notice the craving for intensity: Modern life constantly offers stronger tastes, louder entertainment, and faster experiences. The more we consume, the less satisfied we feel, and the more restless the mind becomes.
Practical approach: Practise moderation. Reduce excessively spicy, salty, or stimulating foods and, in the same spirit, reduce overstimulating habits like endless scrolling or constant noise. As the senses calm down, the mind finds natural contentment.
Food That Excites and Agitates
In contrast to sattvic food, rajasic food is marked by extremes. Lord Krishna lists its qualities.
Kaṭu (bitter), amla (sour), lavaṇa (very salty): These tastes in excess overstimulate the senses.
Atyuṣṇa (excessively hot), tīkṣṇa (sharp), rūkṣa (dry), vidāhī (burning): Foods that burn the tongue and the stomach, leave the body dry and irritated, and create inner heat.
Duḥkha (pain), śoka (distress), āmaya (disease): Lord Krishna names the three results. Such food may give momentary thrill, but it brings physical discomfort, mental unrest, and eventually illness. The words duḥkha and śoka also carry a hint of emotional agitation, since an overstimulated body makes a restless mind.
The key idea is excess, signalled by the word ati (excessively) in the verse itself. Rajas is the quality of craving more intensity, more stimulation, more of everything. The person who lives by rajas keeps seeking stronger flavours and experiences, and in doing so loses peace.
It is a fine example of how the guṇas operate: the preference for rajasic food arises from a restless mind, and the food in turn fuels that restlessness.
Message for Everyday Life (The Trap of Constant Stimulation)
Notice the craving for intensity: Modern life constantly offers stronger tastes, louder entertainment, and faster experiences. The more we consume, the less satisfied we feel, and the more restless the mind becomes.
Practical approach: Practise moderation. Reduce excessively spicy, salty, or stimulating foods and, in the same spirit, reduce overstimulating habits like endless scrolling or constant noise. As the senses calm down, the mind finds natural contentment.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has described the food of passion and its painful results. He now describes the lowest category, the food that dulls the mind and is favoured by those in whom tamas prevails.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
The tongue's demand is rarely the body's need.
Too much of a good taste can become a bad habit.
Notice what you crave, and ask why.
Gentle choices rarely need apologies.
A restless life often asks for restless food.
Self-control is the beginning of real choice.
Today's indulgence is tomorrow's discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'rājasa' (passionate, restless nature) mean in this verse?
What do 'kaṭu' (bitter), 'amla' (sour) and 'lavaṇa' (salty) indicate?
What do 'ati uṣhṇa' (excessively hot), 'tīkṣhṇa' (pungent), 'rūkṣha' (dry) and 'vidāhinaḥ' (burning) suggest?
Why does the verse mention 'duḥkha' (pain), 'śhoka' (grief) and 'āmaya' (disease)?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: