Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 10 (BG 17.10) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

17.10 यातयामम् state? गतरसम् tasteless? पूति putrid? पर्युषितम् rotten? च and? यत् which? उच्छिष्टम् refuse? अपि also? च and? अमेध्यम् impure? भोजनम् food? तामसप्रियम् liked by the Tamasic.Commentary Cannabis indica (Ganja)? Bhang? opium? cocaine? Charas? Chandoo? all stale and putrid articles? are Tamasic.Yatayamam Stale? literally means cooked three hours ago. Yatayamam and Gatarasam mean the same thing.Paryushitam Rotten The cooked food which has been kept overnight.Uchchishtam What is left on the plate after a meal.The man whose taste is of a Tamasic nature will eat food in the afternoon that has been cooked on the previous day. He also likes that which is halfcooked or burnt to a cinder. He and all the members of his family sit together and eat from the same dish or plate? food that has been mixed into a mess by his children.The food eaten by Tamasic people is stale? dry? without juice? unripe or overcooked. They do not relish it? till it begins to rot and ferment. They take prohibited foods and drinks. They take liors? fermented toddy? etc. They are horrible people with devilish tendencies.

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

# BG 17.10 — The Three Types of Tamasic Food **Yatayama** — According to the ancient system of time measurement, a day is divided into eight periods called yamas, each lasting three hours. Food prepared three hours before consumption is called yatayama—food considered unfit for eating. While this term can mean stale food, since this very verse makes separate mention of paryushita (stale food), here it should be understood as half-cooked or improperly prepared food. **Gatarasa** — When much time has passed, food loses its vital essence and nutritional value. Yet those of tamasic nature find such food palatable. In South India, rice is cooked, soaked in water overnight, and eaten the next day. Though many find it agreeable, such food—being stale and devoid of vital essence—is indeed tamasic nourishment. Similarly, in North India, stale bread may be consumed. **Puti** — Those dominated by tamas find foul-smelling and putrid food delicious, while others find such odors unbearable and repulsive. **Paryushita (Stale)** — Food left overnight is called stale or paryushita. We may also include intoxicating substances in this category. Those of tamasic nature are fond of drinking alcohol and similar indulgences. The most ignorant and culturally degraded individuals are attracted to impure, unholy, and leftover food—that which has been rejected or touched by others. Now we shall describe the three types of sacrifice.