The three upstambh (pillars) of health

Aahaar (Diet)
Nidra (Sleep)
Brahmacharya (Controlled Lifestyle)
 Importance of Aahaar
(diet)
Of the three pillars of health, aahaar or diet is the most
important, and that is why it is mentioned first
Of all the factors that are responsible for the growth
and development of the human body, diet is the most
important.
 Hitaahaar (Beneficial or conducive diet)
Has shadras (6 tastes), or has all or most of them or
has rasas according to prakruti (body type)
Is liked by the one eating
Is clean and pure
Not very hot
Has been freshly prepared
 Importance of hitaahaar (conducive diet)
It is only hitaahaar that is solely responsible
for growth and development of the body and
maintenance of health. On the contrary
inconducive diet is responsible for disease
development.
Although there are other factors in the
development of the body, aahaar is the most
important
 Fundamentals and rules of Aahaar

Food should be prepared and served by well

wishing people or aids.
The kitchen/cooking area should be clean and
not congested
 Fundamentals and rules of Aahaar
Rules for the one eating:
Should be hungry
Should sit straight on a slightly elevated seat
Should eat in silence focusing on the food
Should eat not too fast, nor too slow, chewing
many times before swallowing
Should rinse mouth when changing food taste
 Fundamentals and rules of Aahaar (cont’d)
Rules for the one eating: Do not eat –
Before or after meal time
Less or more
Contaminated, uncovered, spoilt, burnt food.
Left over food
Food that you do not like, or that which tastes and smells bad
Food that has not been cooked properly
Food that has been reheated, was cooked long time back or is very cold.
 Fundamentals and rules of Aahaar (cont’d)

Avoid after meals:

Sleep at night for a long time
Laugh or talk excessively
Avoid unpleasant sensory exposure
Consume large amount of fluids
Excessive physical activity like swimming, horse
riding, etc.
 Benefits of disciplined eating
Strength
Stamina
Good complexion
Good health
Happiness
Long life
Vitality
It is rightly said that the jathraagni or the digestive
fire, needs fuel in the form of diet, to sustain itself.
 Benefits of disciplined eating
Strength
Stamina
Good complexion
Good health
Happiness
Long life
Vitality
It is rightly said that the jathraagni or the digestive
fire, needs fuel in the form of diet, to sustain itself.