During evolution, cyanobacteria absorbed carbon dioxide and released oxygen making our existence possible. They evolved as chloroplasts which adapted to life inside plant cells enabling photosynthesis to give us food. The same is the case with the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the human cell, which adapted to life inside the cell. Both mitochondria and chloroplasts still possess their own DNA.

Similarly, our intestine hosts hundreds of species of bacteria and fungi. They are responsible for the digestion of our food and providing us with nutrition. Current research indicates that they even control our behaviour through the brain-gut axis (vagus nerve) as 500 million neurons (half the percentage of the brain) are located in the intestine. This background helps us understand the following verses.

Krishna says, "The food that people prefer is also threefold, as also sacrifice (𝙮𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙖), austerity (tapa) and donation (𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙢) (17.7). Foods which increase longevity, purity, strength, health, happiness and cheer are dear to the 𝙎𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙞𝙘 (17.8). Foods that are bitter, sour, salty, very hot and pungent are dear to 𝙍𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙠𝙖. Such foods produce pain, grief, and disease (17.9). Foods that are stale, putrid, polluted, and impure are dear to 𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙘" (17.10).

Firstly, Krishna is indicating about the brain-gut axis while mentioning about the foods using the language of those times. Secondly, though we possess all 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙨 , one 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖  is more prominent at any given point in time. Our choice of food varies depending on the 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖  that dominates. Conversely, we can identify the 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖  dominating us based on our liking for the type of food.

Lastly, while describing 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖-𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙝 (one who transcends 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙨 ) Krishna said that 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖-𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙝 hates not when present nor longs for 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙨  when absent (14.22). He remains unconcerned, firm and centred in the Self (14.23). Essentially, transcending attachment to food is 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖-𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙝.

https://epaper.dailyworld.in/Details.aspx?id=142022&boxid=78226&uid=&dat=2024-07-07