Diet Rules for Aryas

Maharashi Dayanand Saraswathi has mentioned some diet rules for Aryas in his Sathyartha Prakash.

Ø  Do not eat vegetables, fruits, and roots raised in night soil or other kinds of refuse.

Ø  Do not eat food that is detrimental to the growth of the intellect.

Ø  Avoid food that is decomposed, fermented, unclean, or foul smelling.

Ø  Avoid food that is not properly cooked.

Ø  As far as possible, avoid food cooked by those living on meat diets and intoxicating drinks because their bodies are saturated with fine particles of meat and alcohol.

Ø  Do not kill useful animals such as goats and cows for food.

Ø  Never eat any food or drink obtained by injuring or killing others, by stealing, dishonesty, breach of faith, fraud, or hypocrisy.

Ø  Do not eat anything that does not agree with your constitution and can produce diseases or other evil effects.

Ø  Eat food that is obtained through righteous means without killing or injuring any living creature.

Ø  Eat food that gives health and strength, destroys disease, promotes intellectual power and energy, and prolongs life.

Ø  Eat rice, wheat, sugar, milk, butter, fruits, tubers, and roots cooked properly and in hygienic conditions.

Eating out of the same dish as the other should be avoided because people are of different natures and constitutions. The act of eating out of the same dish, therefore, can produce unfavorable results.

Meals can be taken in any place as long as it is clean and tidy. In times of war or other emergencies, people can eat and drink in all positions and places—such as standing up or driving a car. But food should be taken in moderation and at the right time.

It does not really matter who prepares the food; but the food should be prepared in a clean and hygienic manner. The cook must maintain personal cleanliness, wash his/her hands before cooking, trim his/her hair and nails regularly, and place a cloth around his/her mouth while cooking the food.

The kitchen should be kept clean and tidy. Great pain must be taken to wash, plaster, sweep, clean, and tidy up the kitchen. It should never be allowed to get dirty.

Source: Maharshi Dayanand Saraswathi’s “Sathyartha Prakash”