Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
An ancient quote from Chanakya Neeti puts forth a thought in front of us wherein Acharya Chanakya beautifully explains the importance of food and reproductive health and the progeny we bring into this world with the help of a metaphor.
In this article we shall delve deep into this verse and explore its meaning and also see what Ayurveda opines about the same.
Food, reproductive health and progeny – the link
दीपो भक्षयते ध्वान्तं कज्जलं च प्रसूयते।
यदन्नं भक्षयेन्नित्यं जायते तादृशी प्रजा॥चाणक्य नीति८.३।
The lamp eats up (feeds on) the darkness and gives rise to kajjala i.e. soot or lamp black / black smoke. Similarly the human beings also give rise to (birth to) the progeny based on what kinds of foods they eat every day.
The philosophy in the metaphor
Going deep into the philosophy of the metaphor of this verse, we can see the cause and effect relationship between two different sequences of action.
- The lamp or the light of the lamp eats the darkness i.e. wards off the darkness due to its illumination. It undoubtedly glows up everything around us and gives us light but also gives rise to something which is dark i.e. black smoke or soot. So, it eats dark and gives rise to something which is dark.
- We live by eating food. So, we are like that lamp. So whatever we produce or give back will follow the qualities of the food. In this context we are speaking about the progeny, which is a product of food, just like the dark smoke or soot which is a product of the lamp eating the darkness. If we eat good and healthy foods, we give birth to good and healthy progeny. The nature of the progeny will be similar to the nature and qualities of the food we eat.
Nature of foods v/s nature of progeny
The nature of the diet may be sattvika, rajasika or tamasika.
If we eat sattvika type of foods – pure, healthy, unadulterated and beneficial foods, we give birth to a child who is sattvika in nature – good, serene and balanced individuals.
If we consume rajasika type of foods – stimulating types of foods, the progeny born will have rajasika nature – passionate, driven and aggressive individuals.
On the other hand, the progeny will be of tamasika nature – i.e. dull, lazy, ignorant and inert when born to the parents who consume foods rich in tamo guna – foods which produce lethargy or dullness.
Discussion, Ayurveda Opinion
This shloka / verse which looks simple conveys many things.
It depicts the impact of food on the mind. Different foods have different kinds of impact on the mind or mental makeup of individuals.
We also learn that the mental traits, personalities and behaviors of parents are inherited by the progeny. The bridge is healthy foods or mindful choice of foods.
We are what we eat. We are created by ahara rasa – the nutrition coming to us by the foods we eat.
Does this verse only explain how different foods are responsible for different mental makeup of the progeny?
Many experts who have decoded this verse have opined that the foods we eat are responsible for the mind and behavioral makeup of individuals. But the physical component is the latent aspect. We know that the body is nurtured by the nutrients derived from the food. It is needless to tell that the physical health of progeny is dependent on the nutrition the baby receives through fetal circulation. Here, Acharya was probably hinting towards something which we might miss, ‘the food-mind makeup relationship’ assuming that the physical aspect is obvious.
Ayurveda thoughts
Ayurveda classics are enriched with food basics and fundamentals which are applicable and practically relevant even in the modern day.
According to Ayurveda, Ahara is Upastambha – the pillar of life.
Garbha Sambhava Samagri – Ayurveda embryology mentions four important factors required for formation and proper development of the fetus which includes physical, mental and emotional development of the child in the mother’s womb, once it is formed. They are Rtu – proper time for conception, Kshetra – the womb which is the seat of implantation and development of the fetus, Bija – the male and female seeds i.e. sperm (specifically) and ovum and Ambu – the nutritional liquids coming to the fetus from the mother – the fetal circulation. They are called Garbha Sambhava Samagri – ingredients needed for formation of healthy fetuses. Here we can see that the healthy foods have been mentioned. If the mother takes healthy foods, the healthy essence of the same would reach the child in the womb, which further engineers’ comprehensive body-mind-emotional development of the child.
Garbhini Paricharya – Ayurveda emphasizes healthy foods for pregnant women for her health and also for healthy development of the fetus in Garbhini Paricharya, which includes inclusions and exclusions, useful and harmful foods. There is also ‘month-wise customization of dietetic protocol’. Ayurveda also stresses upon the healthy foods which should be consumed by the man so as to form and maintain healthy shukra – sperms, semen and hormones related to formation and release of healthy sperms needed for healthy conception of child.
Rasaja Bhava – Ayurveda has mentioned Rasaja Bhava – factors developing in the child which are derived from the nutrition it receives from the mother during intra-uterine life. They include growth of tissues, complexion, life, decay and death etc.
Among the Garbhopaghatakara Bhavas i.e. factors which would destroy the fetus, contradicted foods and restrictions have been enumerated in Ayurveda.
Ayurveda also speaks about the effect of food in the physical and mental development and make-up of individuals. Foods making an impact on the mind and its qualities i.e. sattva, rajas and tamas have been enumerated.
Dhatus – tissues are formed by the foods we consume. Healthy Shukra and Sonita – sperm and ovum are also formed by the healthy foods we consume. The progeny born out of such sperm and ovum will be physically and mentally healthy.
Related Research and Studies
Consequences of Paternal Nutrition on Offspring Health and Disease – This study emphasizes and establishes the importance of maternal diet during peri-conceptional period and its impact on progeny’s health.
Have a healthy diet during pregnancy – This study stresses upon healthy eating during pregnancy and its importance on growth and development of the baby.
Other reads
Study – The importance of nutrition in pregnancy and lactation: lifelong consequences
Study – Prerequisites of Ayurveda in healthy progeny
Study – Ayurveda Approach for Conceiving a Healthy Progeny
Study – Diet and human reproductive system: Insight of omics approaches
Study – Food and influence in the sexual and reproductive health
Study – Diet and sperm quality: Nutrients, foods and dietary patterns
