Bhagavad Gita 17:7 and the I Ching's Hexagram 27 – Nourishment

 

The connection between Bhagavad Gita 17:7 and the I Ching's Hexagram 27 – Nourishment (The Corners of the Mouth) is remarkably strong. Both teachings focus on the idea that what we take in—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—shapes who we become.

Bhagavad Gita teaches that people are naturally drawn toward foods and habits that reflect their inner qualities (gunas). Likewise, I Ching asks us to examine not only what we eat, but also what we feed our minds and what comes out of our mouths.

Bhagavad Gita 17:7

• Focuses on the quality of nourishment.

• Food influences consciousness.

• Pure food supports clarity and spiritual growth.

• Agitating food stimulates passions and desires.

• Stale or impure food contributes to dullness and inertia.

Hexagram 27 – Nourishment

• Focuses on how nourishment is received and given.

• Encourages mindfulness regarding food, speech, information, and influences.

• Warns against excessive indulgence.

• Emphasizes responsibility for nourishing oneself and others.

• Reminds us that words can nourish or poison relationships.

Common Themes

1. You Become What You Consume

The Gita teaches that food affects consciousness. Hexagram 27 expands this idea to include:

• Conversations

• Media

• Friendships

• Ideas

• Spiritual teachings

Both ask: "What are you feeding yourself?"

2. Discipline Creates Strength

Krishna teaches moderation and purity. Hexagram 27 advises careful attention to nourishment and restraint.

A business leader, for example, must be careful about:

• Information sources

• Team culture

• Personal habits

• Emotional reactions

Poor nourishment leads to poor judgment.

3. Speech as Nourishment

Hexagram 27 places special emphasis on the mouth—not only as the entrance for food but as the exit for words.

This aligns closely with the Gita's later discussion of verbal tapas (discipline of speech):

• Speak truthfully.

• Speak kindly.

• Speak beneficially.

• Avoid harmful speech.

A Leadership Application

For a business owner or entrepreneur, such as your work with MediaEclat, these teachings suggest:

• Consume quality information.

• Avoid constant negativity and sensationalism.

• Feed your mind with learning and reflection.

• Use speech to encourage rather than diminish.

• Build systems that nourish employees, customers, and partners.

Devotional Reflection

Psalm 34:8

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

The Psalmist, Krishna, and Hexagram 27 each point toward a similar truth: nourishment is more than food. What enters the heart eventually shapes the life.

When we choose wholesome nourishment—whether food, thoughts, words, or relationships—we cultivate greater clarity, wisdom, and endurance.

Reflection Question

Hexagram 27 asks:

What am I feeding today that will grow tomorrow?

Bhagavad Gita 17:7 asks:

Does what I consume increase clarity, passion, or dullness?

Together, they encourage conscious nourishment as a path toward wisdom, health, and effective leadership.

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