Food has been considered inevitable for existence. It
has been considered essential. The impact of food falls on the body as
well as on the mind. " The food we eat determines the nature of our
minds". Moreover there is the epigram, "As is the food; so is the mood"
Such statements are certainly true. They contain truth. The body helps us
in our spiritual endeavors. The enlightened men have prescribed the
quantity of food to be taken; the time at which food should be taken and
the kinds of food that should be taken to keep the body vigorous and
healthy. They have made a beautiful analysis of these points. They have
pointed out some austerities to get rid of karmas; moreover, they have
also prescribed some prohibitions in respect of eating and drinking. Just
as total fasting is a tapasya, even restriction to some kinds of to be
taken is also a kind of tapascharya; austerity.
Twelve kinds of austerities have been described. Of
these, six are external and six are internal.
Bahya External: means that which can be seen.
Abhyantar Internal:means that which cannot be seen
externally.
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