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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 Verse 10 (17.10)

Reflective Prompt:

What is your primary motivation when performing a duty or offering service to others?

  • Option 1: Done selflessly as a duty, without expecting any return or recognition.
  • Option 2: Done with the expectation of reward, praise, or personal benefit.
  • Option 3: Done half-heartedly, without faith, or against ethical principles.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 Verse 10 (17.10)

यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् । | उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् | | १७-१० | |

yātayāmaṁ gatarasaṁ pūti paryuṣhitaṁ cha yat uchchhiṣhṭamapi chāmedhyaṁ bhojanaṁ tāmasapriyam

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • यातयामम् (yata-yamam) — बहुत देर रखा हुआ(cooked hours ago/stale)
  • गतरसम् (gata-rasam) — रसहीन(tasteless)
  • पूति (puti) — दुर्गंधयुक्त(bad-smelling)
  • पर्युषितम् (paryushitam) — बासी(spoiled)
  • (cha) — और(and)
  • यत् (yat) — जिसे(which)
Line 2:
  • उच्छिष्टम् (ucchishtam) — जूठा(leavings of others)
  • अपि (api) — भी(also)
  • (cha) — और(and)
  • अमेध्यम् (amedhyam) — अपवित्र(impure/unfit)
  • भोजनम् (bhojanam) — भोजन(food)
  • तामसप्रियम् (tamasa-priyam) — तामसिकों को प्रिय(liked by the ignorant)

English: The Ignorant love food which is stale, not nourishing, putrid and corrupt, the leavings of others and unclean.

Note:

Foods that are stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten, leftover, and impure are preferred by Tamasik individuals. This kind of food drains energy and clouds consciousness.

Learnings from Shloka 10:
  • Tamasik Diet:: Stale, tasteless, impure, or rotten food drains physical energy and clouds mental awareness.
  • Overcoming Lethargy:: Avoiding Tamasik food is essential to prevent laziness, depression, and spiritual dullness.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

Practice this shloka vocabulary

Match Sanskrit words from shloka 17.10 with their Hindi and English meanings.

Practice vocabulary