Chapter 17 Verse 10
Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yog
यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत्।उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम्।।17.10।।
yāta-yāmaṁ gata-rasaṁ pūti paryuṣhitaṁ cha yat uchchhiṣhṭam api chāmedhyaṁ bhojanaṁ tāmasa-priyam
Word Meanings
| yāta-yāmam | stale foods |
| gata-rasam | tasteless |
| pūti | putrid |
| paryuṣhitam | polluted |
| cha | and |
| yat | which |
| uchchhiṣhṭam | left over |
| api | also |
| cha | and |
| amedhyam | impure |
| bhojanam | foods |
| tāmasa | to persons in the mode of ignorance |
| priyam | dear |
Translation
That which is stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten, rejected, and impure is the food liked by the Tamasic.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
On the surface the verse lists foods liked by the tamasic person: stale, tasteless, rotten, rejected, and impure. Tamas here means a state of dullness, inertia, and mental confusion.
Philosophically it says what you take in shapes your mind and body. Eating or keeping what is spoiled weakens clarity and energy. The same goes for habits, speech, and company—if you feed yourself on stale ideas, gossip, or harmful habits, your life grows heavy and stuck.
This teaching points to simple self-care: choose freshness, purity, and order in what you consume and allow into your life. By clearing out the rotten—physically and mentally—you make space for lightness, learning, and right action.
Life Application
- Eat fresh, simple, and clean food; avoid overeating, spoiled food, and wasteful habits that make you sluggish.
- Be mindful of the media, conversations, and thoughts you “consume”; drop repeated negative stories or rumors that drain you.
- Regularly clear physical and mental clutter—donate, compost, forgive, or let go of relationships and things that keep you stuck.
Reflection Question
What stale habit, thought, or relationship are you still holding onto that keeps you feeling heavy?