Astanga Hrudaya
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मात्राशी सर्वकालं स्यान्मात्रा ह्यग्नेः प्रवर्तिका। मात्रां द्रव्याण्यपेक्षन्ते गुरूण्यपि लघून्यपि॥१॥
Right Amount of Food – Aharamatra Apeksha: One should always consume proper quantity of food. Right amount of food activates Agni – digestion power (which is compared to fire, in Ayurveda). Food that are light to digest (laghu) and those that are hard to digest (Guru) both require a specified quantity for proper digestion.
english translation
गुरूणामर्धसौहित्यं लघूनां नातितृप्तता। मात्राप्रमाणं निर्दिष्टं सुखं यावद्विजीर्यति॥२॥
As a general rule, if the food is heavy to digest (such as oily food, non veg, sweets etc), it should be consumed till half of the satiation level is achieved. (Ardha Sauhitya). If the food is light to digest, it should be consumed till one is not overly satiated. (Na Ati Truptata). The right amount of food is that, which undergoes digestion easily
english translation
भोजनं हीनमात्रं तु न बलोपचयौजसे। सर्वेषां वातरोगाणां हेतुतां च प्रपद्यते॥३॥
Effect of taking more or less amount of quantity of food – Consuming less quantity of food does not increase strength, ojus (immunity). The body will not be nourished properly. Over a period of time, it leads to Vata imbalance disorders.
english translation
अतिमात्रं त्वशनं त्रीनपि दोषान् प्रकोपयेत्। पीड्यमाना हि वाताद्या युगपत्तेन कोपिताः॥४॥
Excess quantity of food is again not desirable. It causes quick increase of Doshas. Effects of over eating: Due to eating excess quantity of food, Vata and other Doshas suddenly get increased together and associating with the undigested and vitiated food (Ama) , produce diseases.
english translation
आमेनान्नेन दिष्टेन तदेवाविश्य कुर्वते। विष्टम्भयन्तोऽलसकं च्यावयन्तो विसूचिकाम्॥५॥
It causes Alasaka disease by blocking the movement of food inside the alimentary tract and Visuchika (gastro enteritis) by expelling out the undigested food in both downward and upward directions (diarrhoea and vomiting) simultaneously.
english translation