Food that stirs restlessness

kaṭvamlalavaṇātyuṣṇatīkṣṇarūkṣavidāhinaḥāhārā rājasasyeṣṭā duḥkhaśokāmayapradāḥ

Foods too bitter, sour, salty, hot, sharp, dry and burning are loved by the restless. They bring pain, grief and illness.

What it means

Krishna describes rajasic food, loved by the restless. Extreme flavours, too bitter, too sour, too salty, too hot, too sharp. Food that burns and agitates. It excites for a moment, then leaves discomfort, low mood or illness. The key word is too. Balance, not banning.

The story

Warriors in Arjuna's camp ate fiery food to fire themselves up for battle. Krishna gently notes the cost of living on stimulation.

In your life

Think of three coffees and an energy drink before a deadline, then the crash at four. Notice one stimulating habit, and soften it this week.