Ahara, the prana.

According to Jonathan Safran Foer ‘ Food is not rational. Food is culture, habit,craving and identity.

Ahara(food),Nidra(sleep)and Bramhacharya(celibacy)are Traya Upostambas explained in ayurveda. Taraya Upostambas means three supporting pillars or three sub pillars. If the body is a building or a house this three pillars means ahara, nidra and bramhacharya forms three vital pillars which balances our body and life within. Among the three pillars ahara or food is the main supporting pillar  which helps to sustain life.

In Ayurveda, food is called ‘mahabhaisajya’ which means ‘the superior medicine. You can maintain your health and prevent diseases for a long time if you eat the right food and follow the right kind of lifestyle as per your needs and in line with the seasons and cycles of nature.[i]

Everything is universal in constitution as per Ayurvedic philosophy. Food essentially contains the five basic elements of nature i.e. the Panch Mahabhutas which are space, air, fire, water and earth. When consumed in appropriate proportions, food can help in balancing similar elements in the body.

Food is said to be ‘the life’ of all the living beings. The food which has color (varna), smell (gandha), taste (rasa) and touch (sparsha) pleasing to one’s mind and are likable, the food which is prepared and processed in a proper way is considered to provide and support the life element in each one of us. Therefore Ahara itself is called as Prana or life. It is also practically evident and experienced that ahara is pranadharaka or supporter of life because when a person doesn’t consume food for few days will eventually lose his life.

Our life sustains and we live until and unless the antaragni or the metabolic fire or gut fire is intact in the body. This fire is an indicator of life. If this fire needs to be intact, it needs constant fuel and this fuel is provided to the fire in the form of ahara or food. Only when the fuel in the form of ahara is available, the agni keeps steady and intact, and hence the life process keeps intact. This food strengthens the mind. It nourishes and strengthens the body and tissues, enhances strength and color, brings about pleasantness of the sense organs. If the food is taken breaching the rules and regulations of intake it proves harmful to the body and life.