Vaidya Pramod S. Dhumal, I.R.A.M
Jnana Prabodhini, Pune

The paper accounts for the Non-Vegetarian diet in ancient India with specific reference to the Ayurvedic texts.

In Ayurvedic texts, non-vegetarian food is described at length. The pioneer text of Ayurveda, Charak Samhita includes the description of nearly 200 types of animals and birds classified as the Mansa Varga in 26th adhyaya named Vividhannapaneeya. The other texts also describe similarly or more than Charak Samhita. The later texts like Bhavprakash elaborate 20 recipes of non-vegetarian diet.

Ayurvedic texts do recommend the Non-Vegetarian material in the treatment of various diseases. Various soups (Mansa Rasa), eggs and some other medicines made from various parts of bird and animals are described in Ayurvedic texts.

This indicates that Non-Vegetarian is recommended by Ayurvedic texts. It will be appropriate to discuss the scope and limits of Non-Vegetarian diet in present circumstances according to Ayurvedic principles.

In the present paper the following points regarding the Non-Vegetarian Food are discussed.

1. Desh Vichar- In which geographical conditions, which non-vegetarian food is useful and which particular animal/bird should be selected.
2. Kala Vichar- In which conditions of time and in which state of any particular disease the Non-Vegetarian Food is Accepted.
3. Roga Vichar- In which disease the Non-Vegetarian Food is recommended and why?
4. Agni- Agni is the processing unit of the body. Which type of agni is able to digest specific quantity of Non-vegetarian Food is discussed in this point.
5. Satmya- Satmya is habit. Various types of satmya are discussed here.
6. Prakruti- prakruti is self constitution. These are based on the dominance of either of Vata, Pitta, Kapha. Which type of Non-Vegetarian food is recommended for certain type of constitution is discussed here.
7. Satva Vichar- 'W hether Non-Vegetarian Food affects the mental status of an individual' is discussed here.
8. Vaya Vichar-Vaya is age. Which recipes are suitable to which age group is discussed here.

Legal Matters - Though a number of animals and birds are described in Ayurvedic texts. There are some legal bindings which should be followed.

Unseen problems in Ayurveda- There are some problems in present day circumstances in Ayurveda for example mad cow disease. The reasoning of Ayurveda on such problems will be discussed in this point.