In the previous episode, we had witnessed an illustration of how Bhagawan Krishna’s words of advice to Arjuna has been put to practice in the past. We’ve seen how “Dhaanam” can be classified into “Saathvika Dhaanam”, “Raajasa Dhaanam” and “Taamasa Dhaanam” and how King Dasharata stood as a beautiful example in illustrating all the three types. Initially we saw how King Dasharata did not want to send Bhagawan Rama with Sage Vishwamitra and his reluctance indicates “Taamasa Dhaanam”. However, when Sage Vasishtachaarya intervened at the right time, King Dasharata readily accepted to send Bhagawan Rama with Sage Vishwamitra and this illustrated “Saathvika Dhaanam”, which came out of his immense “Guru Bhakti” towards Sage Vasishtachaarya. However, King Dasharata himself emphasizes that he is sending Bhagawan Rama not because something good is going to happen to him in the near future, but it is only because Sage Vasishtachaarya wants him to send the child. This indicates that King Dasharatra averts the “Raajasa Dhaanam” and sticks with the “Saathvika Dhaanam”.
Hence in this way, every word that Bhagawan Krishna is uttering here is always backed up with a solid proof and a potential possibility that His words can definitely be implemented in real life. It is not that Bhagawan Krishna is talking something in the air as many of us might perceive. Of course there are enough and more people outside who can potentially mislead us by saying that these are very ideal things that Bhagawan is talking about and since we are in the “Kali Yuga”, nothing is applicable here! This is absolutely a wrong and a misleading argument. We should always understand that “Dharma” is the same across all “Yugas” and it doesn’t change even an inch. Circumstances might change of course, but with changes in circumstances and situations, our will power and resolve to follow the path of “Dharma” should increase. This is something that all of us need to constantly keep reminding ourselves. Bhagawan Krishna is not talking something very idealistic. His words are extremely simple and implementable if we have the proper understanding. All that He is saying is we should do our duty properly with due dedication and surrender towards Him (“Karma Yoga”). Isn’t this not implementable? Moreover, Bhagawan is saying that we should allocate some time in our schedule each day to sit and perform “Dhyaanam” thinking of Him (“Gnyaana Yoga”). Isn’t this not implementable? Third, Bhagawan says that the easiest way to attain “Atma-Saakshaakaaram” is to perform the Bhakti Yoga and He lists out several ways to perform “Bhakti” and to understand Him. Is this very difficult to implement?
Hence, the resolve should come from within us, rather than blaming the “Yuga” and the circumstances that we live in. We should understand here that it is the same Bhagawan who has created the “Tretha Yuga”, has also created this “Kali Yuga”. As I’ve mentioned several times earlier, every “Yuga” has its own positives and challenges. It is up to us to pick up the positives and move along, rather than getting carried away by the challenges that galore. So the point here is that, whatever actions we perform, should be as per the guidelines in the “Shaastras” and these actions are grossly classified into the “Saathvika Karma”. Thus, Bhagawan says that we should embrace the “Saathvika Karma” and let go of the “Raajasa and Taamasa Karma”.
Similarly if we look at the food that we consume, Bhagawan again classifies them into three. We might wonder what kind of food items are classified into “Raajasa” and “Taamasa”. Bhagawan says that those food items that are excessive in salt content or sugar content or spice content, etc. are classified under the “Raajasa Aahaara” because these excessive quantities of sugar, salt and spice tend to alter our nature and character to a great extent. Today’s medical research also threads the same line, wherein it has been established that our nature, demeanour, character, etc. are grossly determined by the food that we consume. For instance, if we consume excessive spicy foods in a sustained manner, our anger and frustration would start increasing. So these are the “Raajasic” characteristics that will be on the rise if we consume the “Raajasa Aaharam”. Similarly, when Bhagawan talks about “Taamasa Aahaaram”, He says that we should not consume food that has been stored for a long time after being cooked (“Yaatayaamam”). Of course, in those days there was no concept of a “refrigerator” wherein we keep storing cooked food items for a long time! 🙂 Normally, whatever we cook in the morning should be finished off in the morning itself. We should never carry forward the cooked food items to subsequent times of the day! Secondly, Bhagawan says that we shouldn’t consume food that has lost its natural taste (“Gatharasam”). Thirdly, Bhagawan says that we shouldn’t consume food that has changed its odour into a foul smell (“Poothi”). Fourth, Bhagawan says that we shouldn’t consume food that has become stale / rotten (“Parushitam”). Finally, Bhagawan explains that more than everything else, the food that is not offered as a “Neivedhyam” to Him should never be touched (“Amethyam”)!
Hence, all these types of food items mentioned above would come under the “Taamasa Aahaaram”. So for today, let us take a deeper understanding about the different types of actions in terms of the food that we consume and let us try and implement this in our daily lives too. We shall have a detailed discussion on this “Taamasa Aahaaram” in the next episode as well, before we move on further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 