आहारस् त्व् अपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रियः । यज्ञस् तपस् तथा दानं तेषां भेदम् इमं शृणु ॥
āhāras tv api sarvasya tri-vidho bhavati priyaḥ | yajñas tapas tathā dānaṃ teṣāṃ bhedam imaṃ śṛṇu ||
Even food is threefold in its appeal to each person; so too yajña, tapas, and dāna. Hear their distinctions.
Word by word (3)
- āhāras tv api sarvasya tri-vidho bhavati priyaḥ
- — even food (āhāraḥ tv api) which is dear (priyaḥ) to each person (sarvasya) is threefold (tri-vidhaḥ) — the priya-food (what one enjoys) mirrors one's guṇa
- yajñas tapas tathā dānam
- — and likewise (tathā) sacrifice (yajña), austerity (tapas), and charitable giving (dāna) — the three most important spiritual practices; all three come in three guṇa-varieties
- teṣāṃ bhedam imaṃ śṛṇu
- — hear (śṛṇu) this (imam) distinction/difference (bheda) among them (teṣām) — the invitation to the chapter's central teaching-body
The food that each person finds dear is also threefold. And so is sacrifice, austerity, and gift. Hear this distinction of theirs.
A modern analogy
Everything you love reveals who you are. Not just what you do but what you find delicious, what kind of worship feels right, what kind of discipline comes naturally, what kind of giving feels fulfilling — each is a mirror of your guṇa-orientation. V7 announces that Ch.17 will hold up this mirror to food, sacrifice, austerity, and giving.
V7 is the transition verse from the distorted tapas teaching (V5-6) to the chapter's main body: the three-fold analysis of the four domains (food V8-10, yajña V11-13, tapas V14-19, dāna V20-22). The verse also establishes the organizing principle: the guṇa of what one LOVES (priya) is the key diagnostic. V7 completes the chapter's structural introduction before the systematic teaching unfolds.
The inclusion of food (āhāra) in the same category as yajña/tapas/dāna is significant — food is treated as a spiritual practice, not merely a physical necessity. This reflects the Āyurvedic and Vedic understanding that what one eats shapes one's consciousness (Chāndogya Up. 6.5.1-4: āhāra-śuddhi→ sattva-śuddhi → dhruva smṛti → liberation). The relationship runs both ways: guṇa → food preference AND food → guṇa-reinforcement.
Public-domain translations (4) compare all →
The food also which is dear to each is threefold, as also worship, austerity and gift. Do thou hear of this, their distinction. [1]
The food also which is liked by each of them is threefold, as also Yajna, austerity, and almsgiving. Do thou hear this, their distinction. [4]
Even the food which is agreeable to all is of three sorts; and so also worship, austerity, and gift. Hear this distinction of them. [9]
Food also which is liked by each of them is threefold, as also sacrifice, penance, and gifts. Listen to their distinctions as follows. [13]
This verse speaks to
Where this thread continues
Lift the self by the Self; let not the self drown itself — you alone are your own friend and your own foe.
OṀ Tat Sat: triple name of Brahman — by which brāhmaṇas, Vedas, and yajñas were ordained in the beginning.
Whatever is sacrificed, given, done, or tapas practiced without śraddhā — that is asat: naught here or hereafter.
Non-injury, equanimity, contentment, austerity, charity, fame and infamy — these varied states arise from Me alone.
Sāttvic food enhances life, sattva, strength, health, joy, delight — savoury, oleaginous, substantial, heart-pleasing.
Tāmasic yajña: against ordinance, no food-sharing, no mantras, no dakṣiṇā, no śraddhā — declared tāmasic.