Skip to content
Annapurna Kitchen

Volume III · Part III

The Art of Eating

How, when, how much and in what spirit — Ayurveda's rules of the meal

How, how much and when we eat matters as much as what is on the plate. These seven chapters turn the classical rules of eating into calm daily habits for guests over 55 — with a hunger scale, a meal-timing chart and clear safety notes on choking and fasting.

The chapters

7 chapters

  1. Chapter 26The Eight Factors of Wholesome EatingCharaka (Vimanasthana 1) names eight factors that decide whether a meal nourishes or harms — the ashta ahara vidhi visheshayatana.Read chapter →
  2. Chapter 27The Twelve Rules of Eating (Ahara Vidhi Vidhana)Charaka also gives a short list of rules for the act of eating itself.Read chapter →
  3. Chapter 28How Much — Portion and HungerClassical texts describe dividing the stomach's capacity into parts: one part for solid food, one for liquid, and one left empty for the movement of the doshas (some t…Read chapter →
  4. Chapter 29When — Meal Timing and the Order of the MealAyurveda times meals to agni, which follows the sun.Read chapter →
  5. Chapter 30After the MealHow, when, how much and in what spirit — Ayurveda's rules of the mealRead chapter →
  6. Chapter 31Mindful and Sacred EatingIn the Indian tradition a meal is a yajna — an offering into the inner fire.Read chapter →
  7. Chapter 32Fasting Wisely After 55Fasting (upavasa) is part of both Ayurveda and spiritual practice — Ekadashi, Navratri, Shravan Mondays.Read chapter →