The Yoga of the Threefold Faith

Krishna describes rajasic food—food that is dear to rajasic people. These foods are 'kaṭv-amla-lavaṇāty-uṣṇa-tīkṣṇa-rūkṣa-vidāhinaḥ'—bitter (kaṭv), sour (amla), salty (lavaṇa), very hot (ati-uṣṇa), pungent (tīkṣṇa), dry (rūkṣa), and burning (vidāhinaḥ). These are foods that are overly stimulating, excessively spiced, or processed. They're 'rājasasyeṣṭā'—dear to rajasic people—because they match the rajasic nature's desire for intensity and stimulation. However, they're 'duḥkha-śokāmayapradāḥ'—they cause (pradāḥ) suffering (duḥkha), grief (śoka), and disease (āmaya). Rajasic food provides quick stimulation but leads to imbalance and suffering. Understanding this helps you recognize rajasic food and its effects.