Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 17.10 यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत्
श्लोक 17.10
यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् ।
उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् ॥
yātayāmaṃ gatarasaṃ pūti paryuṣitaṃ ca yat |
ucchiṣṭamapi cāmedhyaṃ bhojanaṃ tāmasapriyam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो भोजन बहुत देर का पड़ा हुआ, स्वादहीन, दुर्गंधयुक्त, बासी, जूठा और अपवित्र हो, वह तामसी लोगों को प्रिय होता है।
Meaning in English
Food that is stale, tasteless, putrid, left overnight, the leftovers of others and impure is dear to tamasic people.
Bhagavad Gita 17.10 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यातयामम् | yāta-yāmam | stale, cooked long ago |
| गतरसम् | gata-rasam | tasteless, lost its flavour |
| पूति | pūti | putrid, foul-smelling |
| पर्युषितम् | paryuṣitam | kept overnight, leftover |
| च यत् | ca yat | and which |
| उच्छिष्टम् | ucchiṣṭam | left over from others' plates |
| अपि च | api ca | and also |
| अमेध्यम् | amedhyam | impure, unfit for offering |
| भोजनम् | bhojanam | food |
| तामसप्रियम् | tāmasa-priyam | dear to the tamasic |
Explanation
Food that is stale, tasteless, putrid, kept overnight, left over by others and impure is dear to those of tamasic nature. Krishna describes food that has lost its life and freshness. Such food dulls the body and mind, matching the heaviness and inertia of tamas.
Yāta-yāma literally means food over which a yāma, about three hours, has passed since cooking, hence stale; Shankara instead takes it as half-cooked food, since loss of flavour is named separately. Ucchiṣṭa is food left on another's plate, though traditions make exceptions for prasāda and food blessed by a teacher. Amedhya means unfit to be offered in worship. Commentators point out that tamasic food is chosen not for taste or health but out of carelessness and indifference, which is itself a mark of tamas.
भावार्थ
जो भोजन बहुत देर पहले बना हो, स्वादहीन हो, दुर्गन्धयुक्त हो, बासी हो, जूठा हो और अपवित्र हो, वह तामसी लोगों को प्रिय होता है। ऐसा भोजन शरीर और मन दोनों को सुस्त बनाता है।
Living it today
Fresh food prepared with care feeds the mind as well as the body. When possible, avoid eating carelessly or out of mere habit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 17.10?
Food that is stale, tasteless, putrid, kept overnight, left over by others and impure is dear to those of tamasic nature. Krishna describes food that has lost its life and freshness. Such food dulls the body and mind, matching the heaviness and inertia of tamas.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 17.10?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 17 (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 17.10 in daily life?
Fresh food prepared with care feeds the mind as well as the body. When possible, avoid eating carelessly or out of mere habit.
Reflected on verse 17.10?
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