Verse 17.8
आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः ।
रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ॥
Transliteration
āyuḥsattvabalārogyasukhaprītivivardhanāḥ |
rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛdyā āhārāḥ sāttvikapriyāḥ ||
By Sanskrit System · Machine draft · @indic-transliteration/sanscript 1.3.3
Translation
The foods which increase life, purity, strength, health, joy and cheerfulness (good appetite), which are savoury and oleaginous, substantial and agreeable, are dear to the Sattvic (pure) people.
From the owner's sheet · +1 more
Foods that increase life, vitality, strength, health, happiness and contentment, that are flavourful, rich, sustaining and pleasing to the heart, are dear to the sattvic.
By Sanskrit System · Machine draft · claude-opus-5-5 · 2026-11-08 · +1 more
Word by word
By Sanskrit System · Machine draft · claude-opus-5-5 · 2026-11-08
Explanation
Sattvic people prefer foods that increase life, vitality, strength, health, happiness and contentment. Such foods are flavourful, smooth or rich, sustaining and pleasant to the heart. The description is about effect as much as taste: good food supports both body and mind. Many readers have taken this verse as guidance for a wholesome diet, though the Gita gives no fixed menu. The emphasis is on nourishment that brings lasting wellbeing rather than momentary excitement.
By Sanskrit System · Machine draft · claude-opus-5-5 · 2026-11-08