Health and Well-Being through Traditional Food Habits: An Ayurvedic Perspective on Sattvik Ahara and Indigenous Food Culture of Chhattisgarh (India)

Abstract

Abstract: The human body, understood in Vedic philosophy as the abode of Jiva Brahman, the individual soul connected to the supreme consciousness (Param Brahman) depends fundamentally on Ahara (food) for both physiological sustenance and psychological well-being. Ayurveda, one of the six Vedangas comprising the ancient Indian knowledge system, posits that the type, quality, quantity, method of preparation, and manner of consumption of food are integral determinants of holistic health (Swasthya). However, the forces of colonization, globalization, modernization, and rapid urbanization have profoundly altered traditional dietary practices, introducing processed, fast, and nutritionally deficient foods into daily consumption patterns. This shift has disrupted the equilibrium between body and mind that Ayurvedic principles seek to maintain. Against this backdrop, this paper examines traditional food practices and culinary preparations alongside their natural sources of Chhattisgarh, situating them within the framework of the Ayurvedic Ahara Parampara (dietary tradition). The analysis aims to address contemporary health challenges by articulating the relevance of ancestral dietary wisdom and advocating for its revival, particularly among younger generations, as a means of restoring physical and mental well-being.