Rajasic Food

[Guest guest]

This topic seems to have come up on both the Madhva and Ramanuja lists at

the same time. I hope no one will mind if I post to both.

 

Someone on the Sri Vaisnava list said:

>3. similarly some vegetables also yield to rajasic character.

 

Are not Chilies included in this list of rajasic vegetables? It seems that

many people feel that they can go on eating Chilies by the kilo, but a

small drumstick (insert brinjal tomato or cauliflower or whatever instead

of drumstick here if you like) may cause them a great change in

consiousness. I personally feel that we have to look objectively at the

effects of certain vegetables rather than dogmatically rejecting all

"Videshi" things as bad. Many things were not mentioned in shastras because

they were introduced from foreign contries later. Does that automatically

mean that they are bad? I don't think so. Chilies were introduced as were

many other things that are now accepted (even to the point of

over-indulgence) by most Indians (including Vaisnavas).

 

As for the argument that we don't take non-veg foods because they are

tamasic and not because of the issue of non-violence. Non-violence and

kindness to all living beings is also a principle of Hinduism (Vaisnavism)

too, Sarva Bhuta Hite Ratah BG 12.4. However I think for Srivaisnavas

(Prapannas) and/or Madhvas the important thing behind following these yamas

and niyamas has to ultimately be, do they please or displease the Supreme

Lord. Whether or not we attain knowledge or not by eating sattvik food, it

is sattvik food that the Supreme Lord wants us to offer to Him and for us

to honor and take as His prasadam.

 

Keshava das