कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिनः ।
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः ॥
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
अति कड़वे, अति खट्टे, अति नमकीन, अति गरम, अति तीखे, अति रूखे और अति दाहकारक आहार अर्थात् भोजनके पदार्थ राजस मनुष्यको प्रिय होते हैं, जो कि दुःख, शोक और रोगोंको देनेवाले हैं ॥
English
Bitter, sour, salty, overly hot, pungent, dry, and burning foods are dear to the passionate person. They bring pain, grief, and illness.
What this verse means
Foods that are too sharp, hot, dry, or harsh attract a restless, passionate nature, but they lead to pain, grief, and illness.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Krishna is teaching Arjuna how the qualities of food reveal the qualities of mind. After describing sattvic food, he now shows the rajasic pattern: what excites the senses often disturbs the person who craves intensity.
Why this verse still matters
You reach for another extra-spicy, late-night meal because your nerves want a hit, not balance. The body feels it later — in sleep, mood, and energy.
The takeaway
What feels exciting in the moment can quietly wear you down afterward.
Word-by-word translation
कटु (bitter) / अम्ल (sour) / लवण (salty) / अत्युष्ण (overly hot) / तीक्ष्ण (pungent) / रूक्ष (dry) / विदाहिनः (burning) / आहाराः (foods) / राजसस्य (of the passionate person) / इष्टाः (dear) / दुःख (pain) / शोक (grief) / आमय (illness) / प्रदाः (giving)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga — The Three Kinds of Faith, which contains 28 verses.