Curd, Mishri, Saag… What to eat and what not to eat, these 4 lines will tell you every secret of food for 12 months.

On hearing the name of Sawan, one remembers showers. Along with showers, one remembers pakodas. Other tasty food items. The mind becomes happy. Or along with Sawan, one starts remembering Ghevar. We have talked about what should be eaten in Sawan. But old proverbs tell something else. They specifically say what should not be eaten in Sawan. Ghagh’s proverbs are very popular in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh in this regard. So see-

Jaggery in Chaitra, oil in Baisakh, vine in Jethha, Ashadh.
Neither vegetables in the month of Sawan nor curd in Bhadon, nor bitter gourd in the month of Kartik.
Aghan cumin, pushed coriander, Maghe sugar, Phalgun gram.
If one saves these twelve rupees, the doctor will never go home.

So, it is clear from this proverb that one should not eat greens in Sawan. But it is not only interesting to understand its full meaning, but Ayurveda experts also prove it. In the month of Chait, the days are generally hot and the nights are cold. There is a possibility of increase in Vata-Pitta. In this regard, eating jaggery is prohibited in this proverb. Anyway, in this month of festivals, people already consume all kinds of sweets etc.

In the month of Vaishakh, oil consumption should be reduced. Whereas, one should not travel in the hot month of Jeth. Actually, when this proverb was said, people used to travel on foot. Hence, there must have been a greater possibility of harm from the heat of Jeth. By the time the month of Aashaadh came, the rains would start at that time, hence one should use Bel or Bel Patthar which is beneficial for the stomach. It also cleans the stomach. Now when it comes to Sawan, eating greens in Sawan is prohibited because at this time there may be worms etc. in the greens. Curd should not be eaten in Bhado. Because in this rainy season, curd of hot nature can be harmful. In Kwar i.e. winter season, bitter gourd should be avoided and in Kartik, Mahi i.e. buttermilk should be avoided, because it causes poor digestion. Cumin should not be eaten in the month of Agahan. In the month of Push, coriander should be avoided, sugar candy in Magh and gram in Phalgun. In the end, the author Ghagh says that the doctor will never visit the house of the one who avoids these twelve things.

The proverbs do not stop here. They also tell what should be eaten in which month. See –

Chaite gram, Baisakhe vine, Jethe Saiyan Ashadh game
Sawan deer, Bhado cheetah, the month of Kwar eat jaggery rule
Katik Murai, Agahan oil, mixed with milk after Push
Magh Month Ghee Khichcha Eat, get up in the month of Phalguna and take a bath in the morning

In this, Ghagh tells that one should consume gram in Chait, wood apple in Vaishakh. One should not sleep during the day in Jeth. One should play in Ashad. Harre in Sawan, Cheeta in Bhado or a forest herb called Chitrak which strengthens digestion should be consumed. While jaggery should be consumed in Kwar, radish in Kartik, oil in Agahan and milk in Paush. Similarly, Khichdi should be eaten with ghee in the month of Magh. While Ghagh advises to get up early in the morning and take a bath in Phalgun. Because getting up late makes one feel lazy and the ‘Siit’ i.e. dew falling from the sky has an adverse effect on health. Remember, during the time of the proverbs, people used to sleep mostly in the open sky.

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Tags: Bhojpuri Literature, Food, Life Style, Lifestyle