Key takeaways
- Satvik means pure, balanced and calm; it comes from sattva, one of the three gunas.
- Satvik living covers food, routine, speech, thoughts and what we see and hear, not only diet.
- Traditionally, satvik food is fresh, vegetarian and simple, usually without onion, garlic, alcohol or meat.
- A regular routine of early rising, bathing, prayer and rest supports concentration in sadhana.
- The Acharya gives the specific rules for your anushthan; this guide explains the general spirit.
- Satvik living is a devotional discipline; it is not a medical plan. Consult your doctor about any dietary change.
When a family begins a sadhana, a period of dedicated spiritual practice such as an anushthan, a Navratri or a vow of japa, the Acharya often says: "Keep a satvik routine during these days."
But what does that actually mean? Is it only about food? And how can a devotee working a full-time job in New York, Toronto or London follow it? This guide explains satvik living simply and practically.
What Does "Satvik" Mean?
Satvik (also written sattvic) comes from sattva, a Sanskrit word meaning purity, clarity, balance and goodness. A satvik way of life is one that keeps the body light, the mind calm and the heart open.
A sadhana is any disciplined spiritual practice undertaken for a set time with a clear intention (sankalp). During sadhana, satvik living helps the devotee stay focused, steady and devoted.
Read more: What Is Sankalp? · Baglamukhi Anushthan: Dos and Don'ts
The Three Gunas
Hindu philosophy describes three gunas, or qualities, present in everything, including food, activity and the mind:
| Guna | Quality | In the mind |
|---|---|---|
| Sattva | Purity, balance, light | Calm, clear, content |
| Rajas | Activity, passion, restlessness | Driven, agitated, desiring |
| Tamas | Heaviness, inertia, darkness | Dull, lazy, confused |
All three are part of life. During sadhana, the aim is to increase sattva so that prayer and concentration come more easily.
In the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 17), Lord Krishna describes food according to these three qualities, explaining that people are drawn to different foods according to their nature.
Satvik Food: The Traditional Guidelines
The specific rules for your sadhana will come from your Acharya, but satvik food traditionally means:
| Generally followed | Generally avoided during sadhana |
|---|---|
| Fresh, home-cooked vegetarian food | Meat, fish and eggs |
| Fruits and vegetables | Alcohol and tobacco |
| Rice, wheat, millets | Onion and garlic (in many traditions) |
| Moong dal and other simple dals | Very spicy, fried or heavy food |
| Milk, curd, ghee (for those who take dairy) | Stale, reheated or leftover food |
| Nuts and seeds | Packaged junk food |
| Mild spices such as haldi, jeera and ginger | Eating late at night or overeating |
Many families also offer their food to God before eating, which turns an ordinary meal into prasad.
Read more: Fasting (Vrat) for Maa Baglamukhi
Why onion and garlic?
In many traditions, onion and garlic are considered rajasik or tamasik, stimulating rather than calming. Families differ on this; follow your Acharya's guidance and your family custom.
A Satvik Daily Routine
Food is only one part. A regular routine is equally important:
- Rise early, ideally during Brahma Muhurta, the period of about an hour and a half before sunrise, traditionally considered ideal for prayer.
- Bathe before puja and wear clean clothes; yellow is traditional in Maa Baglamukhi worship.
- Do your japa and puja at the same time and place each day.
- Eat simple meals at regular times.
- Work honestly and attentively; work done with devotion is also sadhana.
- Evening prayer: a diya and a short aarti.
- Sleep at a regular hour, early enough to rise for prayer.
Read more: Simple Daily Baglamukhi Devotion · Why Hindus Chant Mantras
Satvik Speech
For devotees of Maa Baglamukhi, whose worship is closely linked with speech and stillness, satvik speech is especially meaningful: - Speak truthfully and kindly - Avoid anger, harsh words and arguments - Avoid gossip and criticism of others - Speak less; some devotees keep a period of silence (mauna) each day - Chant rather than chatter
Read more: Stambhan Shakti: The Power of Stillness
Satvik Mind: What We See and Hear
What we take in through our eyes and ears also affects the mind: - Reduce screen time, especially late at night - Avoid violent or disturbing content - Listen to bhajans, stotras or calm music - Read scriptures or devotional books - Spend time in nature where possible - Practise gratitude each evening
Read more: Finding Calm in Stressful Times Through Devotion
Rest and Restraint
Traditional sadhana often includes some restraints (niyama). Your Acharya will tell you which apply to your anushthan. Commonly mentioned ones include: - Brahmacharya (celibacy) during the sadhana period - Simple bedding; some devotees sleep on the floor or a simple mat - Not cutting hair or nails during certain anushthans, in some traditions - Avoiding intoxicants entirely - Not eating food prepared outside the home, where possible
These are traditions, not tests. The spirit is simplicity and focus.
A Sample Satvik Day
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:00 AM | Wake, bathe, wear clean clothes |
| 5:30 AM | Japa and puja at the home altar |
| 7:00 AM | Light breakfast: fruit, milk or poha |
| 9:00 AM–5:00 PM | Work with honesty and calm; simple lunch |
| 6:30 PM | Evening diya and aarti |
| 7:30 PM | Simple dinner: dal, rice or roti, vegetables |
| 8:30 PM | Reading or bhajans; no screens |
| 9:30 PM | Sleep |
Adjust the times to your work, your time zone and the instructions for your specific sadhana.
Keeping a Satvik Routine Abroad
Living abroad brings practical challenges. Some ideas: - Cook in batches on weekends, but eat fresh portions, not reheated leftovers, where you can - Pack home-made lunches for work - Choose simple vegetarian options when eating out is unavoidable - Set phone reminders for japa times - Tell your family or flatmates about your sadhana so they can support you - Use a quiet corner of your home as a dedicated prayer space - Match your practice to the muhurat in India where the Acharya advises
Read more: Setting Up a Home Mandir Abroad · Time Zones and Muhurat
Involving the Family
Sadhana is easier when the household supports it: - Cook satvik meals for the whole family during the period - Keep the home calm, with less television and fewer arguments - Join the evening aarti together - Respect the devotee's quiet time for japa
Health Comes First
Satvik living is a devotional discipline, not a medical treatment, and this article makes no health claims. If you have a medical condition, take regular medication, are pregnant, elderly or recovering from illness, consult your doctor before changing your diet or routine. Tradition itself allows flexibility for those who need it; devotion does not require harming your health.
How Strict Should You Be? It Depends on the Sadhana
Different periods of devotion call for different levels of discipline. As a general picture:
| Sadhana | Typical level of discipline |
|---|---|
| Weekly Thursday prayer | Satvik food that day, kind speech, evening diya |
| A Thursday or Ashtami vrat | Fasting as chosen, satvik food, puja morning and evening |
| Navratri | Nine days of satvik food or fasting, daily puja, akhand jyoti for some families |
| Gupt Navratri | Quieter, more private practice with daily japa |
| An anushthan | The fullest discipline, with the specific rules your Acharya gives for its full duration |
If your family is having an anushthan performed at Nalkheda in your name, ask whether you should keep any satvik rules at home during those days. Many families find that doing so helps them feel connected to the ritual.
After the Sadhana Ends
When the sadhana is complete: - Offer thanks to the Mother with a diya and prasad - Give something in charity according to your means - Return to normal food gradually, not with a heavy feast - Keep one small habit, such as early rising, a short daily japa, or less screen time at night
Many devotees find that the most lasting gift of a sadhana is not the rules themselves but a calmer way of living that stays with them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating satvik as only a diet and ignoring speech, thoughts and routine.
- Being rigid and harsh with family members who are not keeping the sadhana.
- Making sudden, extreme changes without advice.
- Comparing yourself with others' discipline.
- Giving up after a slip: simply begin again the next day.
- Following internet rules that conflict with your Acharya's specific instructions.
About Acharya Ashish Sharma
Acharya Ashish Sharma has served in the tradition of Maa Baglamukhi for more than 25 years. He is Sanskrit-trained and connected with this tradition since birth, and his office is near Maa Baglamukhi Temple, Nalkheda. He performs traditional Maa Baglamukhi Puja, Havan and Special Anushthan, and offers personal spiritual guidance according to each devotee's situation, for families in India and around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is satvik living?
A way of life that keeps the body light, the mind calm and the heart devoted, through simple food, a regular routine, kind speech and a peaceful mind.
What foods are satvik?
Traditionally, fresh home-cooked vegetarian food, fruits, vegetables, grains, simple dals, and for those who take dairy, milk, curd and ghee.
Why are onion and garlic avoided?
Many traditions consider them stimulating rather than calming. Families differ; follow your Acharya's guidance and family custom.
What is Brahma Muhurta?
The period of about an hour and a half before sunrise, traditionally considered especially suitable for prayer and meditation.
Do I have to follow satvik rules for the whole anushthan?
Your Acharya will tell you the specific rules for your anushthan and for how long they apply.
Can I keep a satvik routine while working abroad?
Yes. Prepare simple meals at home, set fixed times for japa, and adapt your routine to your work and time zone.
Is satvik living only about food?
No. Speech, thoughts, routine, what we watch and hear, and how we treat others are equally important.
Is satvik food a health treatment?
No. It is a devotional discipline. Consult your doctor before making dietary changes, especially if you have a medical condition.
What if I break a rule by mistake?
Pray sincerely, ask for forgiveness, and continue. Sadhana is about steady effort, not perfection.