These foods make the body strong and healthy!

Manusmriti, also known as Manu Samhita, is an ancient text. It guides various aspects of social and moral life. This text also includes dietary rules, which describe the appropriate diet for physical, mental and spiritual purity.

The fifth and sixth chapters of Manusmriti contain detailed descriptions of dietary rules. These rules emphasize the type of food, its preparation and method of consumption. Manusmriti links diet not only to physical health, but also to mental purity and spiritual advancement. These rules vary according to caste and ashram (brahmacharya, grihastha, etc.).

What type of food should you eat?

Manusmriti encourages pure, sattvic and nutritious food. These foods nourish the body, calm the mind and aid spiritual growth.

Vegetarian food:

Manusmriti gives preference to vegetarian food, especially for Brahmins. Cereals (e.g., wheat, rice, barley), pulses (green gram, lentil), vegetables, fruits and dairy products are considered pure and sattvic. Example: wheat roti, rice, vegetables (spinach, fenugreek), fruits (mango, banana), and milk, curd, ghee. A person who eats sattvic food. His mind becomes pure and he progresses in Dharma.

Natural and fresh food:

Manusmriti emphasizes on fresh, seasonal and naturally grown foods. Stale, rotten or artificially processed foods are prohibited. Example: fresh vegetables, fruits and cereals. Fresh and pure food increases life expectancy and strength.

Milk and dairy products:

Milk, curd, ghee and cheese are considered pure and nutritious. Cow milk is given special importance, as cow is considered sacred in Hinduism. Example: Food made from milk, kheer, food prepared with curd and ghee. Cow milk and ghee purify the body and mind.

Ayurvedic and balanced diet:

Manusmriti recommends eating a balanced diet according to Ayurvedic principles. Food should be according to the body's nature (vata, pitta, kapha) and season. Example: Cold foods (curd, fruits) in summer and hot foods (ghee, spices) in winter. Naturally, food prevents diseases.

Food prepared in a clean and hygienic manner:

Manusmriti emphasizes that food should be prepared in a clean and pure environment. One's mind and body should be pure. Example: Food prepared with a pure mind after bath. Food cooked with a pure mind purifies the mind and body.

What foods should you not eat?

Manusmriti prohibits certain foods as impure, tamasic or harmful to health and spirituality. It is believed that these foods make the mind restless, the body sick and the soul impure.

Non-vegetarianism:

Non-vegetarianism is strictly prohibited in Manu Smriti, as it is associated with violence. Meat obtained through violence defiles the mind.

Stale and rotten food:

Stale, rotten or dirty food is completely prohibited, as such foods cause illness. Stale food contaminates the body and mind.

Garlic, onion and tamasic foods:

Foods such as garlic, onion and mushrooms are considered tamasic, which either excite or dull the mind. Tamasic food dims the intellect.

Alcohol and intoxicants:

Alcohol and other intoxicants are completely prohibited, as they confuse the mind and distract from morality. Alcohol destroys intellect and morality.