well as confectionary. Certain authorities maintain that solid or thick viands should be eaten at the outset, while others aver that the contrary should be the rule. Of fruits, the Amalaka has the greatest humour-destroying properties, and is the most harmless of them all. Amalaka (fruit) is therefore recommended at the outset, middle and the close of a meal. Such things as the Mrinalam (the stem of a lotus plant), the Visham (the lotus bulb), Shaluka, Kanda and sugar-cane should be eaten at the beginning of a meal, and never at its close. A man, who is well-read in the Science of medicine (Ayurveda), should sit during his meal in an easy posture on a high seat and partake, at the right time, with his body erect and his whole mind engaged in the act of eating light, wholesome emollient and warm viands, which are congenial to his temperament and abound in fluid preparations, with an adequate quantity of boiled rice, neither too hurriedly nor too slowlv, even when feeling the pinch of a keen and piercing hunger.
Food eaten with a good appetite tastes pleasant and relishing. The food which is congenial to one's temperament begets no discomfort after the eating. Light food is soon digested. Emollient food gives tone and vigour to the system. Warm food improves the appetite. Food eaten neither too slowlv nor too hurriedly is uniformly digested. Food abounding in
