आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः | रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ||
āyuḥ-sattva-balārogya-sukha-prīti-vivardhanāḥ rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛdyā āhārāḥ sāttvika-priyāḥ
Translation
Foods that promote life, virtue, strength, health, happiness, and cheerfulness — which are juicy, succulent, nourishing, and naturally pleasing — are dear to the sattvic.
Interpretation
Sattvic food: that which enhances life (ayus), virtue (sattva), strength (bala), health (arogya), happiness (sukha), and delight (priti). Its qualities are juicy (rasya — full of natural taste and vitality), unctuous/nourishing (snigdha — not dry or harsh), sustaining (sthira — gives lasting energy), and naturally pleasing (hridya — agreeable to the heart). This describes fresh, whole, minimally processed foods — vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy — eaten with awareness and gratitude. The sattvic diet is not about rigid rules but about choosing foods that nourish the whole person.