What the texts say
Charaka's sentence ends with the harm it expects: deafness, blindness, tremors, coldness, an unclear or nasal voice, loss of speech, or death. Sushruta makes the same rule, naming newly sprouted grains alongside honey, milk, jaggery and black gram.[1][2]
The modern view
We have not found a modern study of meat eaten with sprouted grains. Searches on the pair return studies of food processing, which say nothing about this rule.
From the classical texts
Questions people ask
Does this apply to chicken or mutton?
The verse sorts animals by where they live: domestic, marsh-dwelling and water animals. Which meats fall in which group is a question for a vaidya.[1]
Related
Milk with meat
Charaka and Sushruta say not to eat the meat of domestic, marsh or water animals in the same meal as milk.
FoodMeat and radish (mooli)
Charaka lists radish (mooli) among eight foods not to eat with the meat of domestic, marsh or water animals.
FoodMeat and honey
Charaka says not to eat the meat of domestic, marsh or water animals with honey, and warns of deafness, blindness, tremors or death.
FoodMeat and sesame (til)
Charaka lists sesame (til) among eight foods not to eat with the meat of domestic, marsh or water animals.
Sources
- Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana 26.84 (Atreyabhadrakapyiya Adhyaya).
- Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana 20.13 (Hitahitiya Adhyaya), NIIMH e-Sushruta edition.
Updated 4 November 2026