Kandmool

Kandmool (Kan-thuh-mool) is a Hindi word for root vegetables. The vegetables are roots or tubers that grow below ground, for example, potatoes, sweet potatoes (tubers) carrots, radish, turnip (tap roots) etc. Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates and are used as staple diet in many countries.
Indian context
The vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes are considered rich energy source while being light to digest. This is the reason that many people consume them during fast. In the ancient times sages who used to live in forests or ashram in the search of divine truth or salvation used to survive only on kandmool.
There is a legend that when Lord Ram (Prince of Ayodhya) was exiled to forests along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, the royal family used to live under a thatch roof and used to feed on kandmool. Very often street vendors in India, especially around places of pilgrimage, are seen selling the so-called Ramakand or Rama chandra kandmool. These vendors claim that this is what Lord Rama ate during his period of exile. Scientific examination of this food-item has revealed it to actually be a part of the Agave plant.
Among the root vegetables are also onions and garlics which many Brahmin families refrain from considering them Tamasik. Like other root vegetables, onions and garlics also have medicinal values. People following Jainism also refrain from root vegetables.
Indian mystic and yogi Sadhguru also advocates to refrain from eating Potatoes, Onions and Garlic. He explains how it dulls the human body in terms of metabolism.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu