Ashtanga Hrudaya Sutra Sthana Chapter 8: Matrashitiyam Adhyayam (Right Quantity of Food to Be Taken)

Method of taking guru (hard to digest) and laghu (light to digest) foods

गुरूणामर्धसौहित्यं लघूनां नातितृप्तता|
मात्राप्रमाणं निर्दिष्टं सुखं यावद्विजीर्यति||२||
The foods which are guru (heavy to digest) should be consumed up to half of one’s capacity i.e. only till half of satiation level is achieved (Ardhasouhityam)
The foods which are laghu (light to digest) should be consumed till one is not totally satiated i.e. intake of food should be stopped before it reaches one’s full capacity (Na atitriptata).
MatraPramana (proper quantity of food) can be defined as that quantity of food which undergoes digestion easily (without producing any ill effects).

Effects of Heena MatraAhara (Food taken in less quantity)

भोजनं हीनमात्रं तु न बलोपचयौजसे|
सर्वेषां वातरोगाणां हेतुतां च प्रपद्यते||३||
Hinamatraahara (the food consumed in less quantity) does not increase
Bala – strength,
Upachaya – nourishment or
Ojas – radiance, luster.
Gradually it becomes a hetu (causative factor) for all diseases of Vata origin.

Effects of Ati Matra Ahara (food taken in excessive quantity)

अतिमात्रं त्वशनं त्रीनपि दोषान् प्रकोपयेत्|
पीड्यमाना हि वाताद्या युगपत्तेन कोपिताः||४||
आमेनान्नेन दिष्टेन तदेवाविश्य कुर्वते|
विष्टम्भयन्तोऽलसकं च्यावयन्तो विसूचिकाम्||५||
अधरोत्तरमार्गाभ्यां सहसैवाजितात्मनः|
When food is consumed in excess (atimatra), it quickly vitiates all the three doshas.
The ingested food doesn’t get digested properly.
At the same time, vata and other doshas get vitiated.
When obstructed by undigested food, vata and other doshas get vitiated at the same time.
As a result of indigestion and due to elapse of time of digestion, ama (caused due to undigested food) is formed.
The vitiated doshas are once again contaminated by ama and get lodged along with the ama or undigested food.
The vitiated doshas cause Alasaka due to the blockage of the channels of the body caused by the contaminated food.
The same doshas cause Visuchika by expelling the indigested food simultaneously and repeatedly from lower (anal) and upper (oral) passages. Both these conditions occur mainly in ajitatmana (people who are not self controlled).

Alasaka

प्रयाति नोर्ध्वं नाधस्तादाहारो न च पच्यते||६||
आमाशयेऽलसीभूतस्तेन सोऽलसकः स्मृतः|
The condition in which the food neither comes out from the upper route (naurdhvam) in the form of vomiting nor from the downward route (naadha) in the form of defecation nor undergoes digestion (na ca pachyate), but stays stagnated in the stomach (amashaya) is called Alasaka.

Visuchika

विविधैर्वेदनोद्भेदैर्वाय्वादिभृशकोपतः||७||
सूचीभिरिव गात्राणि विध्यतीति विसूचिका|
A condition in which various types of pain (vividhavedana) get manifested due to sudden aggravation (bhrishakopa) of Vayu and other doshas is called Visuchika. In this, the pain appears as though the whole body (gatra) is being pricked by many suchis (needles) and hence the name.

Visuchika symptoms based on Dosha predominance

तत्र शूलभ्रमानाहकम्पस्तम्भादयोऽनिलात्||८||
पित्ताज्ज्वरातिसारान्तर्दाहतृट्प्रलयादयः|
कफाच्छर्द्यङ्गगुरुतावाक्सङ्गष्ठीवनादयः||९||
In Visuchika, different set of symptoms are manifested when each dosha predominates in the disease –
When Vata is predominantly aggravated in visuchika, it causes
Shoola – abdominal pain,
Bhrama–delusion, giddiness,
Anaha – bloating of abdomen,
Kampa – tremors,
Sthambhadi – stiffness etc. symptoms.
When Pitta is predominantly aggravated in visuchika, it causes
Jwara – fever,
Atisara – diarrhoea,
Antardaha – internal burning sensation,
Trit – excessive thirst,
Pralayadi – unconsciousness etc symptoms.
When Kapha is predominantly aggravated in visuchika, it causes
Chardi – vomiting,
Angaguruta – heaviness of the body,
Vaksanga – difficulty to speak,
Shteevanadi – excessive salivation etc symptoms.

Manifestation of symptoms of Alasaka

विशेषाद्दुर्बलस्याल्पवह्नेर्वेगविधारिणः|
पीडितं मारुतेनान्नं श्लेष्मणा रुद्धमन्तरा||१०||
अलसं क्षोभितं दोषैः शल्यत्वेनैव संस्थितम्|
शूलादीन् कुरुते तीव्रांश्छर्द्यतीसारवर्जितान्||११||
In Visuchika manifesting specially in
Durbala – people who are weak,
Alpavahne – having low digestion capacity and
Vega vidharina – those are habituated to suppressing the natural urges of the body,
the free movements of Vata in the body are blocked by anna (food). This stagnated food further gets obstructed in the stomach by the vitiated Sleshma (Kapha), and becomes alasa (lazy) and kshobhita (inactivated) in the stomach. This food gets further agitated by Vata, Pitta and Kapha and stays in the stomach itself in the form of a shalya (foreign body) leading to shoola (severe abdominal colic) and many such serious symptoms, but without chardi (vomiting) and atisara (diarrhoea).

Vilambika

गरीयसो भवेल्लीनादामादेव विलम्बिका|
कफवातानुबद्धाऽऽमलिङ्गा तत्समसाधना||२८||
Vilambika is another type of indigestion caused due to profound accumulation and adherence of Ama in the channels of the body. It is caused by association of Kapha and Vata and presents with all the symptoms of Ama. The treatment of vilambika is also similar to that of Ama.

RasasheshaAjirna

अश्रद्धा हृद्व्यथा शुद्धेऽप्युद्गारे रसशेषतः|
शयीत किञ्चिदेवात्र सर्वश्चानाशितो दिवा||२९||
स्वप्यादजीर्णी, सञ्जातबुभुक्षोऽद्यान्मितं लघु|
RasasheshaAjirna is a type of indigestion characterized by
Ashraddha – lack of enthusiasm and
Hridvyadha – discomfort in the region of the heart, in spite of the presence of shuddhaudgara (pure belching).
The person having rasasheshaajirna should sleep for some time during the day.
In all other types of indigestion also, one should sleep during the day without taking any food. Later, when hunger is manifested, he should eat small quantities of easily digestible food.

Ajirna Samanya Lakshana – General symptoms of indigestion

विबन्धोऽतिप्रवृत्तिर्वा ग्लानिर्मारुतमूढता||३०||
अजीर्णलिङ्गं सामान्यं विष्टम्भो गौरवं भ्रमः|
The common symptoms of indigestion are
Vibandha – constipation or
Atipravritti – diarrhoea,
Glani – exhaustion,
Marutamudata – inactivity of Vata (upward movement of Vata),
Vishtambha – distension of abdomen,
Gaurava – heaviness of the body and
Bhrama – giddiness.

Ajirna anya karanani – Other causes of indigestion

न चातिमात्रमेवान्नमामदोषाय केवलम्||३१||
द्विष्टविष्टम्भिदग्धामगुरुरूक्षहिमाशुचि|
विदाहि शुष्कमत्यम्बुप्लुतं चान्नं न जीर्यति||३२||
उपतप्तेन भुक्तं च शोकक्रोधक्षुदादिभिः|
Consumption of Atimatra (large quantities) of food causes production of Ama dosha.
Apart from that, below mentioned are the other causes that lead to indigestion –
Dvishta – foods which are disliked,
Vishtambhi – foods which cause distension of abdomen (and flatulence),
Dagdhama – foods which are over–cooked or uncooked,
Guru – foods which are not easily digestible,
Ruksha, hima, ashuchi – foods which are dry, very cold and contaminated,
Vidahi – foods which are corrosive (cause burning sensation),
Shushka – which are dried up or
Atyambuplutam – foods which are excessively soaked in water.
The food consumed by persons afflicted by shoka (grief), krodha (anger), kshudha (excessive hunger) etc also result in ajirna (indigestion).

DushtaAshana – Bad food habits

मिश्रं पथ्यमपथ्यं च भुक्तं समशनं मतम्||३३||
विद्यादध्यशनं भूयो भुक्तस्योपरि भोजनम्|
अकाले बहु चाल्पं वा भुक्तं तु विषमाशनम्||३४||
त्रीण्यप्येतानि मृत्युं वा घोरान् व्याधीन्सृजन्ति वा|
Below mentioned are the three types of bad food habits –
Samashana – is consuming suitable and unsuitable foods mixed together
Adhyashana – is consuming large quantities of food even before the previously consumed food is digested
Vishamashana – is consuming less quantity or large quantity of food at improper time
All these three food habits either cause death (mrityu) or dreadful diseases (ghoravyadhi).

Ahara Vidhi – Diet regimen, method of taking food properly

काले सात्म्यं शुचि हितं स्निग्धोष्णं लघु तन्मनाः||३५||
षड्रसं मधुरप्रायं नातिद्रुतविलम्बितम्|
स्नातः क्षुद्वान् विविक्तस्थो धौतपादकराननः||३६||
तर्पयित्वा पितॄन् देवानतिथीन् बालकान् गुरून्|
प्रत्यवेक्ष्य तिरश्चोऽपि प्रतिपन्नपरिग्रहान्||३७||
समीक्ष्य सम्यगात्मानमनिन्दन्नब्रुवन् द्रवम्|
इष्टमिष्टैः सहाश्र्नीयाच्छुचिभक्तजनाहृतम्||३८||
Below explained is the method of an ideal and good diet regimen.
One should consume food –
Kale – at proper time,
Satmyam – which is accustomed to one’s health,
Shuchi – which is clean,
Hitam – which is pleasing,
Snigdha – which is unctuous,
Ushna – hot,
Laghu – easily digestible,
Tanmana – with due attention,
Sadrasammadhuraprayam – which contains all the six tastes with predominance of sweet taste,
Na atidrutam – neither very quickly,
Na ativilambitam – nor very slowly,
Snata – after taking bath,
Kshudvan– after appearance ofproper hunger,
Vivikthastho – sitting in solitude,
Dhauta pada karaanana – after having washed the feet, hands and face,
Tarpayitva pitrn devan athithi balakan gurun – after satisfying the manes, gods, guests, children and teachers,
Pratyavekshya tiracho api pratipanna parigrahan – after satisfying even the dependants in the house (such as servants, horses, parrots and other pets),
Samikshya samyak atmanam – after considering one’s own constitution, likes and dislikes,
Anindana – without scolding or abusing the food,
Abruvan – without talking too much,
Dravam – liquid food,
Ishtam–that, which is liked,
Ishtaihisaha – in the company of liked people,
Ashniyatsuchibhaktajanahritam–that served by those who are clean and also faithful to him.

Tyajya Bhojana – Foods which need to be rejected

भोजनं तृणकेशादिजुष्टमुष्णीकृतं पुनः|
शाकावरान्नभूयिष्ठमत्युष्णलवणं त्यजेत्||३९||
Food which is contaminated with trina (grass), kesha (hairs) etc, ushnikritampuna (re–heated), which consists of more of shaka (vegetables) and avaranna (undesirable grains), which is atyushna (very hot) and atilavana (very salty) should be rejected.

Foods that should not be consumed habitually

किलाटदधिकूचीकाक्षारशुक्ताममूलकम्|
कृशशुष्कवराहाविगोमत्स्यमहिषामिषम्||४०||
माषनिष्पावशालूकबिसपिष्टविरूढकम्|
शुष्कशाकानि यवकान् फाणितं च न शीलयेत्||४१||
The following food items are not to be consumed habitually –
Kilata– dairy products which are sweet in taste,
Dadhikurchika – solid part of curds,
Kshara – alkalis,
Shukta – fermented gruels,
Ama mulaka – uncooked radish,
Krushaamisha – meat of animals which are emaciated,
Shushkaamisha – dry meat,
Varahaavi go matsyamahishaamisham – Meat of boar, sheep, cow, fish and buffalo,
Masha – black gram,
Nishpava – cowpea (flat bean),
Shaluka – rhizome of lotus,
Bisa – lotus stalk,
Pishta – flour,
Viruda – germinated grains,
Shushkashaka – dried vegetables,
Yavaka – small barley,
Phanitam – half cooked molasses.

Satmya–Pathya – Foods that can be consumed habitually, on daily basis

शीलयेच्छालिगोधूमयवषष्टिकजाङ्गलम्|
सुनिषण्णकजीवन्तीबालमूलकवास्तुकम्||४२||
पथ्यामलकमृद्वीकापटोलीमुद्गशर्कराः|
घृतदिव्योदकक्षीरक्षौद्रदाडिमसैन्धवम्||४३||
The below mentioned foods can be consumed on a daily basis –
Shali – rice,
Godhuma – wheat,
Yava – barley,
Shashtika – rice maturing in sixty days,
Jangalam – meat of animals living in desert lands,
Sunishannaka –Blepharis edulis,
Jivanti – Leptadenia reticulata,
Balamulaka – young radish,
Vastukam – cucumber,
Pathya – Terminalia chebula,
Amalaka – Indian gooseberry,
Mridvika – dry grapes (raisins),
Patoli – pointed gourd,
Mudga – green gram,
Sharkara – sugar,
Grita – ghee,
Divyodaka – rain water or pure water,
Kshira – milk,
Kshaudra – honey,
Dadima – pomegranate and
Saindhavam – rock salt.

Use of Triphala

त्रिफलां मधुसर्पिर्भ्यां निशि नेत्रबलाय च|
स्वास्थ्यानुवृत्तिकृद्यच्च रोगोच्छेदकरं च यत्||४४||
Triphala should be consumed with madhu (honey) and sarpi (ghee), daily at nishi (night time), for strengthening the eyesight (netrabalaya).
Any other thing (food or medicine) which is good for promoting health and dispelling diseases should be habituated.

Foods which should be consumed at the beginning, middle and end of a meal

बिसेक्षुमोचचोचाम्रमोदकोत्कारिकादिकम्|
अद्याद्द्रव्यं गुरु स्निग्धं स्वादु मन्दं स्थिरं पुरः||४५||
विपरीतमतश्चान्ते मध्येऽम्ललवणोत्कटम्|
Foods that should be consumed at the commencement of the meal should have the following qualities –
Guru – which are hard to digest,
Snigdha – unctuous (fatty),
Svadu – sweet,
Manda – slow and
Sthira – hard.
Example for such foods are –
Bisa – lotus,
Ikshu – sugarcane,
Mocha – plantain,
Chocha – coconut,
Amra – mango,
Modaka – sweet meat balls,
Utkarika – sweet dishes etc.
Foods of opposite qualities should be consumed at the end of the meal.
Foods which are predominantly amla (sour) and lavana (salty) should be taken in the middle of the meal.

Allotment of the stomach space for different foods

अन्नेन कुक्षेर्द्वावंशौ पानेनैकं प्रपूरयेत्||४६||
आश्रयं पवनादीनां चतुर्थमवशेषयेत्|
The stomach should be divided into four parts.
Two parts of the stomach (half of its capacity) should be filled with solid foods.
One part of the stomach should be filled with liquids and
the remaining one part of the stomach should be kept vacant for accommodation and free circulation of air etc.

Anupana – After drinks

अनुपानं हिमं बारि यवगोधूमयोर्हितम्||४७||
दध्नि मद्ये विषे क्षौद्रे, कोष्णं पिष्टमयेषु तु|
शाकमुद्गादिविकृतौ मस्तुतक्राम्लकाञ्जिकम्||४८||
सुरा कृशानां पुष्ट्यर्थं, स्थूलानां तु मधूदकम्|
शोषे मांसरसो, मद्यं मांसे स्वल्पे च पावके||४९||
Cold water is the ideal after–drink (Anupana) – after intake of foods prepared from
Yava – barley,
Godhuma – wheat,
Dadhi – curds,
Madya – wine,
Visha – poison and
Kshaudra – honey.

Warm water is the ideal after–drink for
Foods which are pishtamaya (starchy),
Mastu – Supernatant liquid of curds (whey),
Takra – diluted buttermilk,
Amla kanjika – fermented gruel,
Dishes prepared from shaka (vegetables), mudga (green gram) and other legumes.
Sura (beer) is the ideal after drink for krisha (lean) person.
Madhudaka (honey mixed water) is the ideal after drink for sthula (obese) person.
Mamsa rasa (meat soup) is the ideal after drink for shosha (the emaciated),
Madya (wine) is ideal after a meal of meat and for those who have poor digestive capacity.

Milk as Anupana

व्याध्यौषधाध्वभाष्यस्त्रीलङ्घनातपकर्मभिः|
क्षीणे वृद्धे च बाले च पयः पथ्यं यथाऽमृतम्||५०||
Milk is best suited just like amrita (nectar) for those who are debilitated by
Vyadhi – diseases,
Aushada – medicines and therapies,
Adhva – walking long distances,
Bhashya – speaking,
Stri – sexual intercourse,
Langhana – fasting,
Atapa karmabhih – exposure to sun and other tiresome activities,
Ksheena – emaciated,
Bala – children and
Vriddha – the aged.

Ideal Anupana (After–drink)

विपरीतं यदन्नस्य गुणैः स्यादविरोधि च|
अनुपानं समासेन, सर्वदा तत्प्रशस्यते||५१||
An ideal anupana or after–drink is that which has
Viparitamyadannam – properties opposite of those of the foods,
Syadavirodhi – but not incompatible with them.
Such an after–drink is always valuable.

Benefits of Anupana (after–drink)

अनुपानं करोत्यूर्जां तृप्तिं व्याप्तिं दृढाङ्गताम्|
अन्नसङ्घातशौथिल्यविक्लित्तिजरणानि च||५२||
Anupana or after–drink brings about
Urja – invigoration (strength),
Tripti – contentment,
Vyapti – enables proper movement of foods inside the body and
Dridangatam – stability of body parts,
Annasangatashaithilya – helps in loosening of hard masses of food,
Viklitthi – their moistening and
Jarana – digestion.

Contra–indications of Anupana

नोर्ध्वजत्रुगदश्वासकासोरःक्षतपीनसे|
गीतभाष्यप्रसङ्गे च स्वरभेदे च तद्धितम्||५३||
Anupana should not be administered in
Urdhvajatrugada – diseases of the organs above the shoulders,
Swasa – dyspnoea, asthma,
Kasa – cough,
Urakshata – chest injury,
Pinasa – rhinitis,
For those engaged in gita (singing) and bhashya (speaking for long time) and
Swarabheda – hoarseness of voice.

Contraindications after taking liquids and food

प्रक्लिन्नदेहमेहाक्षिगलरोगव्रणातुराः|
पानं त्यजेयुः सर्वश्च भाष्याध्वशयनं त्यजेत्||५४||
पीत्वा, भुक्त्वाऽऽतपं वह्निं यानं प्लवनवाहनम्|
Drinking of liquids should be avoided by
Praklinnadeha – people who are over–hydrated,
Those suffering from
Meha – urinary disorders, diabetes,
Akshiroga – diseases of eyes,
Gala roga – diseases of throat and
Vranatura – those suffering from wounds (ulcers).

The following activities are to be avoided immediately after intake of liquids –
Bhashya – speaking,
Adhva – walking long distances and
Shayana – sleeping.
The following activities are to be avoided immediately after intake of food –
Atapa – exposure to sun,
Vahni – exposure to fire,
Yana – travel in vehicles,
Plavana – swimming and
Vahanam – riding on animals.

Ahara Kala – Proper time for food consumption

प्रसृष्टे विण्मूत्रे हृदि सुविमले दोषे स्वपथगे
विशुद्धे चोद्गारे क्षुदुपगमने वातेऽनुसरति|
तथाऽग्नावुद्रिक्ते विशदकरणे देहे च सुलघौ
प्रयुञ्जीताहारं विधिनियमितं, कालः स हि मतः||५५||
Food should strictly be consumed only when the below mentioned conditions prevail.
Prasrishtavinmutre – after proper elimination of faeces and urine,
Hrudisuvimale – when the mind is pleasant,
Dosha sthapathage – when the doshas are moving gently in their natural pathways (functioning normally),
Vishudhe ca udgare – when the belching is clean and pure (without foul smell or taste),
Kshudupagamane – when hunger is properly manifested,
Vateanusarathi – when the flatus is moving downward easily,
Tathaagnavudrikte – when the digestive activity is good and at its peak,
Vishadakarane – when the sense organs are functioning clearly,
Dehe ca sulaghau – when the body is light.
Food should be given in the presence of the above said conditions while following the rules, regulations and procedures of food. This is the ideal time for consumption of food.

इतिश्रीवैद्यपतिसिंहगुप्तसूनुवाग्भटविरचितायां अष्टाङ्गहृदयसंहितायां सूत्रस्थाने
मात्राशितीयो नाम अष्टमोऽध्याय: ।
Thus ends the 8th chapter of Ashtangahridaya Samhita, Sutrasthana, named Matrashiteeya Adhyaya, written by Shrimad Vagbhata, son of Shri Vaidhyapati Simhagupta.