Foods that increase life, purity, strength, health, happiness, and cheerfulness, and are tasty, smooth, firm, and pleasing, are dear to the sattvic person.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 17.8
Hindi · हिन्दी
आयु, सत्त्वगुण, बल, आरोग्य, सुख और प्रसन्नता बढ़ानेवाले, स्थिर रहनेवाले, हृदयको शक्ति देनेवाले, रसयुक्त तथा चिकने ऐसे आहार अर्थात् भोजन करनेके पदार्थ सात्त्विक मनुष्यको प्रिय होते हैं ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
आयुःlifeसत्त्वpurityबलstrengthआरोग्यhealthसुखhappinessप्रीतिविवर्धनाःincreasing cheerfulnessरस्याःtastyस्निग्धाःsmoothस्थिराःfirmहृद्याpleasing to the heartआहाराःfoodsसात्त्विकप्रियाःdear to the sattvic person
Read literallylife · purity · strength · health · happiness · increasing cheerfulness · tasty · smooth · firm · pleasing to the heart · foods · dear to the sattvic person
Understanding the verse
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It shifts attention from taste alone to the effect food has on energy, mood, and clarity.
Pure, nourishing food supports long life, strength, health, calmness, and happiness. A clear-minded person naturally prefers what is wholesome and steadying.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna is still teaching Arjuna on the battlefield, but now the lesson turns to daily discipline. After explaining that food, sacrifice, and austerity all come in three types, he defines the food that supports a clear and balanced life.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You grab whatever is quick after a draining day, then wonder why your body feels heavy and your mood frays. The choice on your plate quietly shapes your steadiness.
The takeaway
“What you eat shapes how steady, clear, and cheerful you feel.”
Pure, nourishing food supports long life, strength, health, calmness, and happiness. A clear-minded person naturally prefers what is wholesome and steadying.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 17.8?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga" (The Three Kinds of Faith).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 17.8?
Verse 8 sits in Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita — Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga, "The Three Kinds of Faith". The chapter has 28 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 17.8 matter today?
You grab whatever is quick after a draining day, then wonder why your body feels heavy and your mood frays. The choice on your plate quietly shapes your steadiness.
It shifts attention from taste alone to the effect food has on energy, mood, and clarity.
What this verse means
Pure, nourishing food supports long life, strength, health, calmness, and happiness. A clear-minded person naturally prefers what is wholesome and steadying.
Context & commentary
Krishna is still teaching Arjuna on the battlefield, but now the lesson turns to daily discipline. After explaining that food, sacrifice, and austerity all come in three types, he defines the food that supports a clear and balanced life.
Why this verse still matters
You grab whatever is quick after a draining day, then wonder why your body feels heavy and your mood frays. The choice on your plate quietly shapes your steadiness.
“What you eat shapes how steady, clear, and cheerful you feel.”
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