The Ayurvedic Classification: The Three Gunas
Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine in India, categorizes all food according to three gunas or qualities: sattva, rajas, and tamas. These qualities are believed to influence a person's physical and mental state. The reasons why do some Hindus not eat onions are directly linked to this ancient classification system, as onions and garlic are classified as rajasic and tamasic.
The Mode of Passion (Rajas)
Rajasic foods are those that cause over-stimulation, agitation, and restlessness. They can create a state of desire and attachment to worldly pleasures, which is counterproductive for those seeking spiritual progress. Onions, known for their pungent taste and stimulating effects, are often categorized as rajasic, meaning they can excite the senses and disturb the mind's calmness. The Bhagavad Gita mentions that foods that are too bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, or burning are dear to those in the mode of passion and cause distress.
The Mode of Ignorance (Tamas)
Tamasic foods are considered impure and lead to negative traits like lethargy, ignorance, and aggression. While some classify onions as purely rajasic, their strong, pungent properties can also be seen as tamasic by contributing to dullness of the intellect. This is particularly relevant for those on a path of meditation, where mental clarity is paramount. Foods like stale, tasteless, and processed leftovers also fall into this category, as do meat and alcohol.
Scriptural Narratives and Folklore
Ancient texts and oral traditions offer mythological explanations for the prohibition of onions and garlic, linking them to impure origins.
The Legend of Rahu and Ketu
One of the most well-known stories involves the Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the ocean of milk. During this event, two demons, Rahu and Ketu, disguised themselves as gods to steal a portion of Amrita, the nectar of immortality. Lord Vishnu, in his female form of Mohini, beheaded them before the nectar could pass their throats. It is said that from the drops of demonic blood mixed with nectar that fell to earth, onions and garlic sprouted. Because of this impure, demonic origin, they are forbidden from being offered to deities or consumed by devout followers.
References in Ancient Texts
Several scriptures contain injunctions against the consumption of onions and garlic, particularly for Brahmins or during sacred rites. The Kurma Purana states, "One should avoid... onion, garlic". The Manu Smriti lists garlic, leeks, onions, and mushrooms as unfit for twice-born men, who are expected to maintain a higher state of purity. The Garuda Purana and Padma Purana also mention the prohibition, often requiring a penance (candrayana) for accidental consumption.
Adherence by Specific Hindu Sects
Certain Hindu sects and communities adhere to a stricter vegetarian diet that completely excludes onions and garlic, viewing it as essential for spiritual progress.
Vaishnava Traditions
Followers of Lord Vishnu, or Vaishnavas, typically avoid onions and garlic because they cannot be offered to the deity. Food must be prepared with a high degree of purity and offered to Krishna before being eaten as prasadam (sanctified food). Since pungent ingredients like onions are believed to agitate the mind and promote material sense desire, they are not suitable for offering.
Swaminarayan and Pushtimarg Sects
Both the Swaminarayan movement and the Pushtimarg sect strictly adhere to diets devoid of meat, eggs, onions, and garlic. Their practice is based on the belief that these tamasic properties interfere with spiritual focus and lead to lethargy and negative thoughts.
Contextual Avoidance During Religious Periods
Even for Hindus who consume onions regularly, there are specific religious periods and ceremonies where they are strictly avoided.
Navratri and Other Fasts
During the nine-day Navratri festival, many devotees observe a fast that involves consuming only sattvic food. Onions and garlic are strictly prohibited during this time, as they are believed to invoke carnal energy and distract focus from spiritual devotion. This practice extends to other fasts and auspicious occasions when a state of ritual purity is required.
Comparison of Food Qualities and Spiritual Impact
| Aspect | Sattvic (Goodness) | Rajasic (Passion) | Tamasic (Ignorance) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental State | Promotes clarity, calmness, and mental peace. | Induces excitement, aggression, restlessness, and passion. | Leads to dullness, lethargy, ignorance, and negative emotions. |
| Food Examples | Fresh fruits, most vegetables, grains, milk, fresh juices. | Pungent spices, salty foods, coffee, overly stimulating items. | Onions, garlic, meat, fish, eggs, stale food, alcohol. |
| Effect on Body | Nourishes the body without taxing the digestive system. | Can cause pain, grief, illness, and fluctuating energy levels. | Creates physical deterioration and low energy. |
| Spiritual Goal | Aiding meditation and achieving higher consciousness. | Impeding spiritual progress by fueling worldly desires. | Causing spiritual stagnation and a lack of motivation. |
Beyond Tradition: The Modern Perspective
While the reasons for avoiding onions are deeply rooted in tradition, some modern interpretations exist. The practice often distinguishes between followers on a spiritual path and those living a more householder lifestyle. The key principle is that food choices are a tool for self-discipline, helping to control the senses and cultivate a purer state of mind for spiritual pursuits. This flexibility highlights that the tradition is not a rigid, universal law but a personal spiritual guideline. For example, the use of onions and garlic in Ayurvedic medicine for specific ailments is not uncommon, showcasing a distinction between food and medicine.
Conclusion
The tradition of why do some Hindus not eat onions is a multifaceted practice, drawing on ancient Ayurvedic principles, mythological narratives, and the specific guidelines of various religious sects. At its core, the avoidance is not about the vegetable itself but about its perceived effect on the body and mind. By abstaining from pungent, stimulating ingredients like onions, devout Hindus aim to foster a state of mind conducive to meditation, devotion, and overall spiritual progress. While this practice is an important part of the tradition for many, its observance can also be seen as a personal commitment rather than a universal requirement for all Hindus.
