“Annam Vruttikaranam Shreshtham : Importance of diet in Brihattrayi.”

: The diet is one of the most important entity for Vrutti (Sustenance of life). The major treatises of Ayurveda ( Brihattrayi ) , namely Charak Samhita , Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya (sometimes, Ashtanga Sangraha also) give logical and didactic explanation for it. The present review was aimed at compiling available information about importance of Ahara (diet) from these four treatises. The review can be helpful for understanding various concepts related to food in Ayurveda and can be implied in future studies. The Charaka Samhita with Ayurveda Dipika commentary by Chakrapani , The Sushruta Samhita with Nibandha Sangraha commentary by Dalhana , The Ashtanga Hridaya with Sarvanga Sundara commentary by Arunadattta and Ashtanga Sangraha with Shashilekha commentary by Indu , were mainly reviewed for the present study. Supporting materials from ancient and contemporary sources were also reviewed. The classification of Ahara (diet) as well as Ahara Vidhi Vidhana (dietetic rules) have been reviewed from all four major treatises of Ayurveda. The aim of Ahara (diet) has been in an all-inclusive approach most i.e. Vrutti (sustenance of life). This ultimate approach can be utilized in development of various diet plans for healthy as well as diseased people. As Ahara (diet) is the root cause and treatment of almost all diseases, this knowledge can prove to be useful for successful management of various conditions.

The diet is one of the most important entity for Vrutti (Sustenance of life). The major treatises of Ayurveda (Brihattrayi), namely Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya (sometimes, Ashtanga Sangraha also) give logical and didactic explanation for it. The present review was aimed at compiling available information about importance of Ahara (diet) from these four treatises. The review can be helpful for understanding various concepts related to food in Ayurveda and can be implied in future studies. Sangraha with Shashilekha commentary by Indu, were mainly reviewed for the present study. Supporting materials from ancient and contemporary sources were also reviewed.
The classification of Ahara (diet) as well as Ahara Vidhi Vidhana (dietetic rules) have been reviewed from all four major treatises of Ayurveda. The aim of Ahara (diet) has been described in an all-inclusive approach converging to most important i.e. Vrutti (sustenance of life). This ultimate approach can be utilized in development of various diet plans for healthy as well as diseased people. As Ahara (diet) is the root cause and treatment of almost all diseases, this knowledge can prove to be useful for successful management of various conditions. Ayurveda has been a culmination of Indian philosophy in many ways. Being a holistic medicinal system, it has incorporated many exceptional concepts in its ambit. The importance of diet in Ayurveda is undoubted. It is one of the most important entity for Vrutti (Sustenance of life). 2 There are numerous references in its ancient treatises that give logical and didactic explanation for it.

Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and
Ashtanga Hridaya are classically considered as Brihat Trayi (The greater Triad). Sometimes, Ashtanga Sangraha is also included in it along with Ashtanga Hridaya. All these treatises contain the knowledge essence of entire Ayurveda.
The present review was aimed at compiling available information about importance of Ahara (diet) from these four treatises. The review can be helpful for understanding various concepts related to food in Ayurveda and can be implied in future studies.

Results-
Ayurveda aims to maintain the condition of health (Swasthya Rakshana) of a healthy person. It also mentions alleviation of diseases (Vikara Prashamana) of a diseased person as its motto. 3 Thus, the restoration and sustenance of health becomes the supreme purpose. All achievements of life, viz. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, are founded on basis of health. 4 The principles of Ayurveda also elaborate that, health as well as diseases are dependent on various factors. Among them, food is the most important one.
According to its etymology, the meaning of word Ahara is a substance which is swallowed through throat after eating. By this definition, both diet and drugs can be included in Ahara.
The food is said to be cause of stability for all living beings. There is nothing else except diet for sustaining the life of living beings. Ahara is said to be Mahabhaishajya in Kashyapa Samhita, hence no any other medicament just like diet is available. 5 In other words, one is capable to make a man disease free only with congenial diet. One is not able to sustain life without diet even if endowed with medicine. Thus, diet is said to be the great medicament that can be prescribed by a physician.
Food is said to be basis of life, strength, complexion, Ojas (Vital Power) , growth and development, perspicuity of sense organs , happiness, clarity of voice, luster of skin , pleasure, increase of Dhatu (Body tissues), intellect, health etc. In short, entire lives of individuals depend upon food, all the activities of this world, as well as efforts made for eternal emancipation depends upon it. Thus, the person desirous of long life should eat the diet which is congenial, appropriate in quantity and time Food is the cause of strength, colour and vitality of all living beings. It is dependent on six tastes (Rasa) ; that increase, decrease and bring normalcy to the Dosha. These functions depend on the tastes, qualities, potencies and taste after digestion (Anurasa) of the substance.
The articles of food, the taste, properties, potency, taste after digestion and actions of each one of them separately has been discussed in Brihat Trayi. It can be seen that, food items can be prepared in the form of eatables and drinkables; lickable and chewable, by the combination of many substances, adopting many processes and possessing different special effects. Thus, it becomes mandatory for a good physician to possess this knowledge. Else, he will not be able to advise others on maintenance of health and prevention(of cure) of diseases. 6 A righteous person can live for a hundred years free from diseases by the having proper and wholesome diet. Food sustains the life of living beings. Professional activities leading to happiness in the world, Vedic rituals leading to abode in heaven and observance of truth, leading to salvation are all based on food.
Only the individual having a healthy body can afford to perform all activities leading to happiness, heaven and salvation, and for the preservation of health intake of food is essential. Hence food is the basic factor for the attainment of all of them.
It has been suggested that, the origin of life as well as diseases is food. The happiness and sorrows in life are eventually caused by wholesome and unwholesome food. In short, the food related factors decide whether somatic and psychological diseases will appear or not in a person. 7 Charaka Samhita thus elucidates that diet and the dietetic rules are basic factors among the causes for disease. 8 In Ayurveda, Nidana Parivarjana ( Correction of the causative factors) is the prime treatment of diseases. It can be said that, following balance in diet and rules associated with it can bring out promotion of health and alleviation of diseases both. The proper diet, taken in proper manner can lead to better health. On the contrary, proper diet if not taken in proper manner can lead to diseases too.
According to Charaka Samhita, nothing is non-medicinal in this universe. 9 There are of two types of medicines depending on the nature of composition. Food items can be considered under the category of Dravyabhuta Aushadhi (Pharmacological interventions) . The various dietetic rules explained along with importance of food can be classified under Adravyabhuta Aushadhi (Non-pharmacological interventions) as Upayabhipluta Chikitsa.
Various factors regarding classification of diet and its relevance has been elaborated in Brihat Trayi, as follows-A) Classification as per its form -As per Charaka Samhita, the articles of food can be classified as per  Table 4 summarizes all these classifications.

Satmya-Asatmya Ahara (Habituation or Customization)-
A Substance beneficial to an individual is called Satmya and the use of such Substances results in the well-being of that individual. Satmya is of three types, viz. superior, inferior and average. According to another mode of classification it is of seven types, depending upon the administration of individual Rasas (six types) and the use of Rasas jointly (seventh type). Ingestion of food items having all the Rasas is of the superior type of Satmya; use of only one Rasa is of an inferior type and in between the superior and the inferior types is the average type of Satmya 16 . The inferior and mediocre types should be slowly changed over to the superior types of Satmya. The idea of Oka Satmya i.e. to make a substance conducive to the body by its habitual intake has also been elaborated by Chakrapani in his commentary. 17 The notion of Satmya stands for such factors are wholesome to the individual even when continuously used. 18 The regimen and diets which have become non injurious to the body by habitual use are known as Oka Satmya. 19 It has been described that they form part and parcel of body's constitution so much so that even though potentially harmful; they do not actually harm to the body like the poison of a snake.
According to Sushruta Samhita, Satmya is the use of such things which do not cause harm to the body even though they are different from one's own constitution, habitat, time, season, disease, taste etc. 20 Here, Dalhana commentary mentions that Satmya is that which makes for the wellbeing of the body. When indulged for the long periods of time, the body becomes accustomed to any food and activities, whether good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, safe or unsafe. Such things are assessed in respect of the qualities/ features of the different factors. Dietary components as well as the method of their intake both have equal importance, according to Ayurveda. Importance of food is commonly observed across conventional medicine. However, the uniqueness of Ayurveda lies in emphasizing on manner of eating too.
These dietetic rules can be found in Charak Samhita as follows- These are the causative factors which are responsible for the wholesome and unwholesome effect of the food or of the method for its intake. These different factors give rise to favourable and Unfavourable effects and are compliant to one another. These are the dietetic rules 23 which are to be followed while taking the food by healthy as well as diseased individuals. It has been said that, food which is warm, unctuous and in proper quantity , should be consumed only after digestion of previously ingested food. Further, it says that only diet which is nonantagonistic must be consumed. Food must be consumed in a suitable and wellprovisioned place.
The ingestion of food must not to be speedy or too slow. Meals should be had without talking with others, without laughing. Above all, food must be eaten with the concentration of the mind, after paying due regard to oneself or own self.
Similar description in Sushruta Samhita can be obtained. But it is for Unhealthy persons and called as Dwadasha Ashana Vichara. 24 These twelve aspects include rules regarding Sheeta, Ushna, Snigdha, Ruksha, Drava and Shushka food. It also elaborates situation where two meals, one meals or small quantity food must be taken. Also, the concepts of medicated diet and seasonal diet have been described. Lastly, it has been elaborated that all foods consumed by the healthy person is meant to maintain health and life i.e. Vrutti.

Conclusion
In this way, the aim of Ahara (diet) has been described in a 360-degree approach converging to most important i.e. Vrutti (sustenance of life). This ultimate approach can be utilized in development of various diet plans for healthy as well as diseased people.