Verse 17.9

Verse 17.9: “Bitter, sour, salt, over-hot, pungent, dry, and burning; and such as cause pain, repentance and ill-health, are the foods desired by those of Rajasa temperament. (139)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

It surpasses even the subtle poison in point of bitterness and is more burning than lime and is also sour. Salt is added to it in the proportion in which water is added to flour (for forming it into a lump). In the same proportion are also added other kinds of salt to it. Such excessively salt articles of food are liked by him (Rajas-tempered person), and on the plea of having hot food he swallows articles of food as hot as the very fire.

A Rajas person demands articles of food so hot that at the point of the steam arising out of them, a wick can even be ignited. Food as hard as an iron crowbar which even breaks a rock and is so well known for its hardness,—such hard food he takes, and it pierces his stomach without causing any stab or injury. The food is as parched as the very ashes in and out, and he likes that burning sensation which is caused to the tongue while taking such food. He feels great pleasure in putting into his mouth food that makes gnashing sound of teeth while it is being chewed. Already smarting (as the dishes are), he adds mustard (to them), the fumes of which cause acute pain in the nostrils and the mouth while swallowing. Over and above this Rajas likes to have “Rayate” (rāyate—a condiment) which excels even fire in point of (throat) burning sensation. It is dearer to him than his life. Possessing a voracious mouth, his tongue makes him mad and he goes on swallowing f??? [fire?] in the form of food. This makes him feel so hot, that he does not feel any cooling sensation even on the (bare) floor or on a bed, and he cannot keep aside (for any length of time) from his lips a drinking pot filled with water.

These things cannot be called feasts, but they are (as it were) dormant serpents in the form of diseases, and intoxicants are put in the belly in order to excite them (to activity). With such intoxicants, disease after disease raises its head vying with each other, and in this way the Rajas food yields nothing else but the fruit of misery. Oh Dhanurdhara, thus has been made clear to you in detail, together with its effects, the nature of Rajas diet. Now about the diet which is liked by the Tamas-ridden person and you might feel nausea while listening to it.