Shloka 86

गृहस्थस्य सदाचारः: शौच, तर্পण, वैश्वदेव, अतिथिधर्म, भोजन-विधि, संध्योपासन, ऋतु-धर्मः

Devanagari script

अश्नीयात् तन्मना भूत्वा पूर्वं तु मधुरं रसम् लवणाम्लौ तथा मध्ये कटुतिक्तादिकं ततः

Transliteration

aśnīyāt tanmanā bhūtvā pūrvaṃ tu madhuraṃ rasam lavaṇāmlau tathā madhye kaṭutiktādikaṃ tataḥ

Translation

One should eat with the mind collected and absorbed: first taking what is sweet in taste; then, in the middle, what is salty and sour; and thereafter, what is pungent, bitter, and the rest—thus maintaining order and restraint in nourishment.

Word by Word

• aśnīyāt: should eat
• aśnīyāt: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √aś (अश्) (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• tat-manāḥ: with mind focused (attentive)
• tat-manāḥ: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि—'whose mind is on that (i.e., attentive)'

• bhūtvā: having become
• bhūtvā: Kriya (Prior action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (भू) (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund); 'having become'

• pūrvam: first
• pūrvam: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverbial accusative); 'first/before'

• tu: indeed / then
• tu: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वयार्थक-अव्यय (particle; 'but/indeed')

• madhuram: sweet
• madhuram: Karma (Object qualifier/कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषण (of rasam)

• rasam: taste/flavor
• rasam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• lavaṇa-amla-u: salt and sour (tastes)
• lavaṇa-amla-u: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lavaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + amla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्व—'salt and sour'

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (Manner/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb)

• madhye: in the middle
• madhye: Adhikarana (Position/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (locative of time/order)

• kaṭu-tikta-ādikam: pungent, bitter, etc.
• kaṭu-tikta-ādikam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaṭu (प्रातिपदिक) + tikta (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; 'pungent, bitter, etc.' (collective)

• tataḥ: thereafter
• tataḥ: Adhikarana (Sequence/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रम/अपादानार्थक-अव्यय (adverb); 'then/thereafter'

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Mindful eating and the ordered sequence of tastes (rasa) for restraint and balance

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: compassionate

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Food should be taken with a collected mind and in an ordered progression of tastes to cultivate restraint and bodily equilibrium.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Eat without distraction; begin gently (sweet), proceed in measured variety, and avoid sensory impulsiveness to support clarity and steadiness.

Vishishtadvaita: Discipline of the senses is integrated with devotional calm (śānta-bhakti), preparing the embodied self for remembrance of the indwelling Lord.

Vaishnava Theology

Bhakti Type: Shanta

FAQs

What is the significance of mindful eating in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse frames eating as a disciplined, conscious act—mind collected and orderly—so nourishment supports purity, restraint, and dharmic living rather than sense-indulgence.

How does Sage Parashara explain proper sequence of tastes while eating?

He prescribes a sequence: sweet first, salty and sour in the middle, and pungent/bitter afterward—an ordered approach meant to regulate appetite and maintain balance.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Though Vishnu is not named here, the teaching reflects Vaishnava dharma: disciplined living and sense-control sustain inner clarity, making one’s life aligned with the Supreme Order upheld by Vishnu.