Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga · Verse 8

Bhagavad Gita 17.8

Wholesome food quietly builds the conditions for a steadier life.

Wisdom translation, edited by Ankur Shukla. Commentary AI-drafted, human-reviewed. Reviewed June 2026. Methodology →

आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः ।
रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ॥
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 ॥
English
Foods that increase life, purity, strength, health, happiness, and cheerfulness, and are tasty, smooth, firm, and pleasing, are dear to the sattvic person.

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.

The takeaway

What you eat shapes how steady, clear, and cheerful you feel.

Word-by-word translation

आयुः (life) / सत्त्व (purity) / बल (strength) / आरोग्य (health) / सुख (happiness) / प्रीतिविवर्धनाः (increasing cheerfulness) / रस्याः (tasty) / स्निग्धाः (smooth) / स्थिराः (firm) / हृद्या (pleasing to the heart) / आहाराः (foods) / सात्त्विकप्रियाः (dear to the sattvic person)

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