Table of Contents
Introduction to Meat Groups in Ashtanga Hridayam
In the classical Ayurvedic text Ashtanga Hridayam, Acharya Vagbhata devotes Chapter 6 — Annaswaroopa Vijnaneeya Adhyaya — to exploring the nature of different foods, including a precise classification of meat groups (Mamsa Varga). These 8 categories, based on the animal’s habitat and habits, link each meat type to its qualities (guna), effects on the three doshas — Vata, Pitta, and Kapha — and its suitability for different constitutions and seasons. Understanding these meat groups from Ashtanga Hridayam not only supports exam preparation for BAMS Ayurveda students but also offers timeless insights into balanced nutrition according to ancient Indian wisdom.
The Eight Meat groups according to Ashtanga Hridayam
A) Jangala – Dry Land Forest Dwellers
- Mrga: Deer-like animals (e.g., Antelope, rabbit, gazelle) – 20 types
- Viskira:birds which scratch the ground with their legs to pick food (e.g., Quial, Goose, peacock) – 21 types
- Pratuda: Pecking birds (e.g., parrot, sparrow, pigeon) – 35 types
तत्र बद्ध-मलाः शीता लघवो जाङ्गला हिताः ॥ 55 ॥
पित्तोत्तरे वात-मध्ये संनिपाते कफानुगे ।The meat of the Jangala group is the best; they cause constipation, are cold (in potency), easily digestible, and good in sannipata with great increase of pitta and moderate increase of vata, mild increase of kapha following them. 55
B) Sadharana – Normal Land Dwellers
- Bilesaya: Burrowing animals (e.g., rat, snake, mongoose)
- Prasaha: Predatory or snatching animals (e.g., cow, ass, camel, horse, tiger, lion, crow, vulture, owl)
गुरूष्ण-स्निग्ध-मधुरा वर्गाश् चातो यथोत्तरम् ।
मूत्र-शुक्र-कृतो बल्या वात-घ्नाः कफ-पित्तलाः ॥ 61 ॥Flesh of animals of the next succeeding group (bilesaya) is hard to digest, hot in potency, unctuous and sweet, increases urine and semen, strengthening, mitigates vata and increases kapha and pitta. 61
C) Anupa – Marshy Land Inhabitants
- Mahamrga: Large-bodied animals (e.g., buffalo, elephant, pig, rhinoceros)
- Jalacara: Water birds (e.g., swan, crane, domicille crane)
- Matsya: Aquatic creatures (e.g., rohitafish, tortoise, crocodile, crab, whale)
आद्यान्त्या जाङ्गलानूपा मध्यौ साधारणौ स्मृतौ । 54.5
Out of the eight groups mentioned above, the first three (Mriga, Viskriya, and Pratuda) are also known as Jangala (Vata-dominant); the last three (Mahamriga, Jalacara, and Matsya) are also called Anupa (Kapha-dominant).
The middle two (bilesaya and prasaha) are known as sadharana ( tridosha balancing) 54 ½.
The region of land that has dry forests (shrubby) with less rainfall is Jangala. This region is Vata-dominant. An area with plenty of rainfall and waterlogged is anupa (Kapha-dominant). The region that has neither too much dryness nor too much moisture is Sadharana (temperature). The nature and qualities of the land are also seen in all the flora and fauna of the region.
The Eight Meat Groups (Mamsa Varga) Explained
1. Mrigavarga – Land Animals (Deer, Antelope, etc.)
हरिणैण-कुरङ्गर्क्ष-गोकर्ण-मृगमातृकाः ।
शश-शम्बर-चारुष्क-शरभाद्या मृगाः स्मृताः ॥ 43 ॥
Harina (antelope, fawn), Kuranga (type of deer), Arksa (white footed antelope), Gokarna (Deer antelope), Mrigamatrika (Red coloured hare-like deer), Shasha ( rabbit), Shambara (deer with branched horns), Charushka (gazelle), Sarabha (eight-footed animal), etc. are known as Mriga 43. These are different kinds of deer, antelope and bucks. Some of them have horns, some are hornless, and all of them are herbivorous and live in dry regions, especially shrubby forests. In the past, they were primarily hunted for food.
दीपनः कटुकः पाके ग्राही रूक्षो हिमः शशः ॥ 56 ॥
The flesh of shasha (rabbit), enhances hunger, pungent after digestion, water absorbent and cold in potency 56
- Generally light to digest (laghu), strengthening, and good for people recovering from illness.
- Meat from wild animals is considered less fatty and more suitable for balancing Kapha.
2. Viskira Varga – Ground‑Scratching Birds
लाव-वार्तीक-वर्तीर-रक्तवर्त्मक-कुक्कुभाः ।
कपिञ्जलोपचक्राख्य-चकोर-कुरुबाहवः ॥ 44 ॥
वर्तको वर्तिका चैव तित्तिरिः क्रकरः शिखी ।
ताम्र-चूडाख्य-बकर-गोनर्द-गिरि-वर्तिकाः ॥ 45 ॥
तथा शारपदेन्द्राभ-वरटाद्याश् च विष्किराः ।
- Includes birds like chicken and quail that scratch the earth for food such as Kukkubha (wild cock), Kapinjala (black partridge), Upachakra (small greek pheasant), Chakora (Greek pheasant), Kurubahava, Vartaka (button quail), Vartika( bush quail), Tittiri (grey partridge), krakara (black partridge), sikhi (peacock), tamracuda (domestic cock), bakara (small creane), gonarda (siberian crane), girivartika (mountain quail), Sharapada (a kind of sparrow), indrabha (hedge sparrow), varata (goose) etc.
- Their meat is nourishing, improves muscle strength, and is moderately heavy to digest.
ईषद्-उष्ण-गुरु-स्निग्धा बृंहणा वर्तकादयः ।
तित्तिरिस् तेष्व् अपि वरो मेधाग्नि-बल-शुक्र-कृत् ॥ 57 ॥
ग्राही वर्ण्यो ऽनिलोद्रिक्त-संनिपात-हरः परम् ।
The flesh of the vartaka (button quail) and others is slightly hot in potency, hard to digest, unctuous, and makes the body stout. Tittiri (sparrow) is still better, making for an increase of intelligence, power of digestion, strength and semen, withholds discharges of fluids from the body, improves the skin complexion, and effectively mitigates sannipata with the increase of vata. 57 ½
नाति-पथ्यः शिखी पथ्यः श्रोत्र-स्वर-वयो-दृशाम् ॥ 58 ॥
The flesh of shikhi (peacock) is not very good generally, but good for the ears (hearing), voice, ageing (to slow down ageing), and eyes (vision),
तद्-वच् च कुक्कुटो वृष्यो ग्राम्यस् तु श्लेष्मलो गुरुः ।
मेधानल-करा हृद्याः क्रकराः सोपचक्रकाः ॥ 59॥
गुरुः स-लवणः काण-कपोतः सर्व-दोष-कृत् ।
Flesh of cock (wild fowl), is similar (to that of peacock), and is aphrodisiac; that of the domesticated fowl increase kapha and is hard to digest; flesh of krakara (black partridge) increases intelligence and digestion, is good for the heart (or the mind); similar is the flesh of upachakraka; that of kana kapota is hard to digest, slightly salty and increases all the doshas. 59 ½
3. Pratuda Varga – Pecking Birds
जीवञ्जीवक-दात्यूह-भृङ्गाह्व-शुक-सारिकाः ॥ 46 ॥
लट्वा-कोकिल-हारीत-कपोत-चटकादयः ।
- Birds that peck grains or seeds, such as pigeons or sparrows. Jivanijivaka (Greek partridge ), datyuha (gallinule), bhrunagahwa (shrike), suka (parakeet), sarika (mynah), latva (wild sparrow), kokila (cuckoo), harita (grey peigon), kapota (wood peigon), Chataka (house sparrow), etc., belong to the group of pratuda
- Often lighter than ground‑scratching birds, and beneficial for those needing quick energy.
चटकाः श्लेष्मलाः स्निग्धा वात-घ्नाः शुक्रलाः परम् ॥ 60॥
The meat of the cataka (sparrow) increases kapha, is unctuous, mitigates vata and is best to increase semen. 60
4. Bileshaya Varga – Burrowing Animals
प्रतुदा भेक-गोधाहि-श्वाविद्-आद्या बिले-शयाः ॥ 47॥
- Creatures that live in burrows, like rabbits, bheka (frog), godha (iguana lizard), Ahi (snake), swavid (hedgehog), etc., are bileshaya. 47.
- Meat is light, easy to digest, and recommended for convalescence.
5. Prasaha Varga – Predatory Animals
गो-खराश्वतरोष्ट्राश्व-द्वीपि-सिंहर्क्ष-वानराः ।
मार्जार-मूषक-व्याघ्र-वृक-बभ्रु-तरक्षवः ॥ 48 ॥
लोपाक-जम्बुक-श्येन-चाष-वान्ताद-वायसाः ।
शशघ्नी-भास-कुरर-गृध्रोलूक-कुलिङ्गकाः ॥ 49 ॥
धूमिका मधुहा चेति प्रसहा मृग-पक्षिणः ।
- Go (cow), khara (ass, donkey), aswatara (mule),ustra (camel), ashwa (horse), dwipi (leopard), Simha (lion), Aruksha (dear), Vanara (monkey), marjala (cat), musaka (rat, mice), Vyaghra (tiger), Vrka (jackal), babhru (large brown mongoose tarksu (hyena), lopaka (fox, jambuka (jackal), syena (hawk), casa (blue joy), vantada (dog), vayasa (crow), sasaghni (golden eagle ), bhasa (bread vulture ), kurara (osprey), grdhra (vulture), uluka (owl), kulingaka (sparrow hawk), dhumika (owlet), madhuha (honey buzzard), these and other animals and birds belong to the group known as prasaha (which catch their food by the teeth, tear it and eat.) 48-49 ½
शुष्क-कास-श्रमात्य्-अग्नि-विषम-ज्वर-पीनसान् ।
कार्श्यं केवल-वातांश् च गो-मांसं संनियच्छति ॥ 65 ॥
Gomamsa (flesh of cow, bull, bullock) cures dry cough (sushka kasha), exhaustion (sharma), excess hunger (atyagni), intermittent fevers (vishma jwara), chronic nasal catarrh (pinasa), emaciation (karshya), and diseases caused by the increase of vata independently. 65.
6. Mahamriga Varga – Large Animals
वराह-महिष-न्यङ्कु-रुरु-रोहित-वारणाः ॥ 50 ॥
सृमरश् चमरः खड्गो गवयश् च महा-मृगाः ।
Varaha (boar), mahisa (buffalo), nyanku (dog deer), rohita (big deer), ruru (swamp deer), varana (elephant), srmara (Indian wild boar), chamara (yak), khadga (rhinoceros) and Gavaya (goyal ox) are known as mahamriga (animals of huge body). 50
शीता महा-मृगास् तेषु क्रव्याद-प्रसहाः पुनः ।
लवणानु-रसाः पाके कटुका मांस-वर्धनाः ॥ 62 ॥
जीर्णार्शो-ग्रहणी-दोष-शोषार्तानां परं हिताः ।
Flesh of the mahamrigas (big animals) is cold (sita) in potency generally; of them, the flesh of Carnivorous and prasaha animals has salt (lavana) as a secondary taste, pungent (katu), the end of digestion (vipak), increases the muscles of the body, ideally suited for persons suffering from long-standing haemorrhoids, duodenal diseases and consumption 62-62 ½
उष्णो गरीयान् महिषः स्वप्न-दार्ढ्य-बृहत्-त्व-कृत् । 65.5
Flesh of mahisa (buffalo) is hot (ushna virya), not easily digestible (guru), produces sleep, strength and stoutness of the body.
तद्-वद् वराहः श्रम-हा रुचि-शुक्र-बल-प्रदः ॥ 66 ॥
Flesh of varaha (pig) is similar to that of the buffalo, relieves fatigue, increases taste, semen and strength. 66
7. Apchara Varga – Water Birds
हंस-सारस-कादम्ब-बक-कारण्डव-प्लवाः ॥ 51 ॥
बलाकोत्क्रोश-चक्राह्व-मद्गु-क्रौञ्चादयो ऽप्-चराः ।
- Hamsa (swan), sarasa (Indian crane), kadamba (grey-legged goose), baka (heron), karandav (white breasted goose), palva (pelican), balaka (crane),utkrosa (mattard), chakrahva(ruddy Sheldrake), madgu (small cormorant), krouncha (pond heron), etc., are known as apcara (aquatic birds ). 51
- Meat is unctuous (snigdha), nourishing, but heavier to digest.
8. Matsya Varga – Fish
मत्स्या रोहित-पाठीन-कूर्म-कुम्भीर-कर्कटाः ॥ 52 ॥
शुक्ति-शङ्खोद्र-शम्बूक-शफरी-वर्मि-चन्द्रिकाः ।
चुलूकी-नक्र-मकर-शिशुमार-तिमिङ्गिलाः ॥ 53 ॥
राजी-चिलिचिमाद्याश् च मांसम् इत्य् आहुर् अष्ट-धा ।
मृग्यं वैष्किरिकं किं च प्रातुदं च बिले-शयम् ।
प्रासहं च महा-मृग्यम् अप्-चरं मात्स्यम् अष्ट-धा ॥ ॥
- Rohita (red fish), pathina (boal), kurma (tortoise), kumbhira (gavial, alligator), karkata (crab), sukti (pearl mussel), sankha (conch shell), urdu (otter), sambuka (comman snail), safari (large glistening fish), varmi candrika (a kind of catfish) culuki (propoise, seahog ) pakra (crocodile), makara (crocodile), sisumara (dolphin), timingala (whale, shark), raji (snake fish), cilicima (redstriped fish) and others belongs to group of matsya (fishes).
मत्स्याः परं कफ-कराश् चिलिचीमस् त्रि-दोष-कृत् । 66.5
Fish generally tends to increase kapha greatly, chilichima fish tends to increase all three doshas.
लाव-रोहित-गोधैणाः स्वे स्वे वर्गे वराः परम् ॥ 67 ॥
Lava, Rohita, Godha and Ena are best in their respective groups.
That means:
- Lavaka is the best among the viskira.
- Rohitaka is the best one in the Matsya group.
- Grdhra (eagal) is the best among prasha.
- Ena is best among the group of mrigha. 67
Fish are considered nourishing and strength‑promoting, but some varieties can aggravate Kapha and Pitta if taken with incompatible foods.
Thus, eight kinds of (source of ) mamsa (meat) are enumerated. 52-53 ½
योनिष्व् अजावी व्यामिश्र-गो-चर-त्वाद् अ-निश्चिते ॥ 54॥
Goat and sheep are not included in any particular group because of their mixed heredity and living in all types of lands. 54
नाति-शीत-गुरु-स्निग्धं मांसम् आजम् अ-दोषलम् ॥ 63 ॥
शरीर-धातु-सामान्याद् अन्-अभिष्यन्दि बृंहणम् ।
Goat meat is not very cold in potency, is hard to digest (guru), and is fatty (snigdha). However, it does not aggravate the doshas, as it is identical to the doshas of the human body, and is anabhisyandi (does not cause increases of secretions in the tissue channels). It is nourishing, causes weight gain. 63.
विपरीतम् अतो ज्ञेयम् आविकं बृंहणं तु तत् ॥ 64 ॥
Avi (meat of sheep) is opposite in nature with that of goat and causes weight gain. 64
मांसं सद्यो-हतं शुद्धं वयः-स्थं च भजेत् त्यजेत् ।
मृतं कृशं भृशं मेद्यं व्याधि-वारि-विषैर् हतम् ॥ 68 ॥
Meat of animals which have been just killed, which are pure (uncontaminated) and of adult animals only should be used food; Meat of dead animals, of those which very emaciated, which are very fatty, and of those animals which are dead due to diseases, water (drowning) and poison should be rejected. 68
पुं-स्त्रियोः पूर्व-पश्चार्धे गुरुणी गर्भिणी गुरुः ।
लघुर् योषिच् चतुष्-पात्सु विहङ्गेषु पुनः पुमान् ॥ 69 ॥
शिरः-स्कन्धोरु-पृष्ठस्य कट्याः सक्थ्नोश् च गौरवम् ।
तथाम-पक्वाशययोर् यथा-पूर्वं विनिर्दिशेत् ॥ 70 ॥
शोणित-प्रभृतीनां च धातूनाम् उत्तरोत्तरम् ।
मांसाद् गरीयो वृषण-मेढ्र-वृक्क-यकृद्-गुदम् ॥ 71 ॥
Meat obtained from the upper parts above of the male animals and from the lower parts (below the umbilicus) of female animals, which is obtained from the pregnant animal, is hard to digest (guru). Among the quadrupeds, the flesh of females is easily digestible (laghu), but among the birds, it is that of males.
Flesh obtained from the head, neck, thighs, back, waist, forelegs, stomach and intestines is hard to digest in the reverse order of enumeration. The tissues of the animals, such as blood and others are hard to digest in their successive order; testicles, penis, kidneys, liver and rectum are hard to digest than the flesh. 69-71.
Thus ends the group of meat.
In ancient India, hunting was widespread both for the sake of food and as a pastime. Among the hunted animals and birds belonging to different kinds and natures, some were found suitable as food, but some were not. It is difficult to correctly identify some of the animals, birds and fish named herein; some of them might have even become extinct.
🌿 Ayurvedic Perspective
In Ashtanga Hridayam, Vagbhata emphasises:
- Qualities (Guna): heaviness/lightness, unctuousness, taste.
- *Dosha Effects: which meats balance or aggravate *Vata, Pitta, or Kapha.
- Context: Meat should be chosen based on the person’s health, season, and digestive strength.
Comparison table of 8 meat groups from Ashtang Hridyam Sutrasthana, Chapter – 6
| Meat Group ((Mamsa Varga) | Source Animals / Birds | Key Qualities (Guna) | Dosha Effects | General Suitability |
| Mrigavarga (Land‑dwelling wild animals) | Deer, antelope, etc. | Light (laghu), non‑unctuous, strength‑giving | Balances Kapha, may aggravate Vata if overused | Good for weak digestion, post‑illness recovery |
| Viskira Varga (Ground‑scratching birds) | Chicken, quail | Moderately heavy, nourishing, muscle‑building | Balances Vata, may slightly increase Kapha | Beneficial for those needing strength and weight gain |
| Pratuda Varga (Pecking birds) | Pigeon, sparrow | Light, quick to digest, energising | Reduces Vata, mild effect on Pitta | Good for quick energy restoration |
| Bileshaya Varga (Burrowing animals) | Rabbit, hare | Light, easy to digest | Balances Kapha and Pitta | Ideal for delicate digestion |
| Prasaha Varga (Predators) | Lion, tiger (rarely used, medicinal) | Heavy, heat‑producing | Increases Pitta and Kapha | Only in special therapeutic contexts |
| Mahamriga Varga (Large domestic animals) | Goat, sheep, buffalo, cow | Goat: light & strengthening; Buffalo: very heavy, unctuous | Goat: balances Vata; Buffalo: increases Kapha | | Goat suits most; Buffalo for high‑exertion individuals |
| Apchara Varga (Water birds) | Duck, goose | Unctuous, heavy | Increases Kapha, balances Vata in moderation | Best in cold seasons with strong digestion |
| Matsya Varga (Fish) | Freshwater and marine fish | Nourishing, strength‑promoting | Can aggravate Kapha & Pitta with wrong combinations | Beneficial for muscle and tissue building in moderation |
Memonic to remember 8 meat groups
“My Very Patient Brother Prepares Many Appetizing Meals”
Each word’s first letter matches the meat group sequence:
- My → Mrigavarga (Land‑dwelling wild animals)
- Very → Viskira Varga (Ground‑scratching birds)
- Patient → Pratuda Varga (Pecking birds)
- Brother → Bileshaya Varga (Burrowing animals)
- Prepares → Prasaha Varga (Predatory animals)
- Many → Mahamriga Varga (Large domestic animals)
- Appetizing → Apchara Varga (Water birds)
- Meals → Matsya Varga (Fish)
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