โศลก 17.1017.117.217.317.417.517.617.717.817.917.1017.1117.1217.1317.1417.1517.1617.1717.1817.1917.2017.2117.2217.2317.2417.2517.2617.2717.28

That which is state, tasteless, putrid, rotten, refuse and impure, is the food liked by the Tamasic.

Food that is stale, tasteless, putrid, kept overnight, left over by others or impure is dear to the tamasic.

Tamasic people like food that is stale, tasteless, putrid, left overnight, left over by others, or impure. Such food has lost its freshness and vitality, matching the dullness and heaviness of tamas (inertia). The verse completes the threefold picture. Taken together, the three verses on food suggest a simple principle: what we choose to take in both reflects and shapes our inner state. The discussion now turns from food to sacrifice.