Sawan, or Shravan, is an important Month for Hindus, particularly for those celebrating Lord Shiva. During this period, many Hindus will fast, pray, as well as try to maintain a Sattvik lifestyle, a lifestyle dedicated to pure/whole thinking and positive living. Part of this Sattvik lifestyle, includes distaining many foods, particularly onions and garlic.

You may ask yourself why these common staples are cut from so many of the meals during this special time. Their absence has many explanations, scientifically and traditionally.

From a science perspective, Sawan comes during the Indian monsoon when there is a notable increase in viruses and water borne diseases. The humidity of the environment leads to an abundance of bacteria, fungi, and small insects. Most of the leafy greens that we eat in plants based diets can harbor organisms.

In fact, onions and garlic are underground pieces, made of many layers, to harbor it even more. If eaten during Sawan, it is conceivable that many devout persons do not want nor would not want digestive issues or infections.

Further, there is some research that states that consuming more than is beneficial of onions and garlic may over-stimulate our systems. Garlic, for example is practical for its antibiotic qualities. Using it too much will throw off the natural balance of the body.

Going without onions and garlic during Sawan allows the digestive system to rest, detox, and promote wellness, just like how the month is understood to be full of Sattvik energy.

The mythology in the Hindu texts has a most interesting story during the churning of the ocean, the Samudra Manthan, by gods and devils, who yielded in their churning fourteen glorious treasures. One of natures treasures is life in the form of nectar called Amrit.

All the gods were diligently engaged in drinking Amrit, the nectar of immortality, to thwart the demons. In order to distract the demons away from this, Vishnu disguised himself as Mohini, a radiant goddess, drawing their attention away from the nectar. However, one of the first demons, Rahu, cunningly drank the nectar unnoticed by the gods.

Thus, Vishnu cleverly decapitated Rahu using his divine weapon, Sudarshan Chakra. After this, since Rahu had drunk the nectar, Rahu existed as a head, while his body became Ketu, another shadow planet in astrology.

Beliefs state that, as Rahu was sliced in half, a droplet of his blood fell down to earth, and garlic, a tamasic food, sprang up from them. Since garlic was born from demons, this explains its tamasic quality, representing disturbance and negativity.

Foods that are classified as tamasic, also including onions, are traditionally deemed to invoke restlessness or restless thoughts. This is in direct contrast to the calmness and devotion that Sawan expresses.

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By abstaining from these foods, the devotees hope to purify their mindset and dedicate themselves to their spiritual work… and through this, they hope to be aligned with the purity and devotion expressed during Sawan.

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