Letters from Sri Ramanasramam, by Suri Nagamma

Now, when the head of the demon was severed, the trunk
fell down and, in the process, a few drops of amrit also fell on
the ground, and it is said that those drops became the garlic
plant. That is why it is said that garlic has some of the
properties of amrit. It is very good for the body. But since it
also has the touch of the demon, it has tamasic qualities too,
which affect the mind, if eaten. Hence it is forbidden for
sadhakas.”
Devotee: “Are not horseradish (mullangi) and drumsticks
also forbidden for sadhakas?”
Bhagavan: “Yes. Watermelon, horseradish, drumsticks,
onions and other similar vegetables are forbidden. The mind
will be clear and pure depending on the sort of food one
eats, sattvic or otherwise. If one overeats sambar, soup and
boiled vegetables one will have to belch ‘Ho Ho’ and ‘Ha Ha’
and get worried over digesting it. If, however, one eats sattvic
food with only one side dish, one digests it easily and will be
happy. Who pays attention to such advice?”
Devotee: “Why do they not pay attention to such advice?
It is rather strange.”
Bhagavan: “That is a fact. Nobody heeds such advice.

Everyone says he must bring for Bhagavan laddoos and jilebis
(sweetmeats) but no one says rice and pepper water are better
for Bhagavan. They bring them all for Swami. But why does
Swami require all these things? Dandapani Swami was here
long back. At that time the method of cooking itself was
different. A big vessel used to be put on the fire. Whatever
vegetables were received till noon used to be cut and put
into it, boiled and sambar made. There was no ladle even to
stir and mix them. We used to take a piece of firewood, chisel
it and use it for stirring those vegetables in the vessel. That
preparation was the only side dish. When we mixed it with
rice and ate, it used to be very tasty. The labour also was
comparatively less. After cooking in the Ashram grew in size,
cooks had to be appointed. They used to consult me in the
early days about what to cook. I used to ask them, ‘Do you
have rice?’ and their reply was, ‘yes’. ‘Do you have water?’
‘Yes’. ‘Do you have salt?’ ‘Yes’. ‘Do you have pickles?’ ‘Yes.’
‘Buttermilk?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘ If so, what else do you want?’ I used to
say. After that, they ceased to ask me and now they merely
tell me, ‘We will cook this and we will cook that,’ and I say,
‘Yes, yes.’ I also advise them suitably. What do I lose? I do
not, however, give up my own custom, but mix all the side
dishes into one before taking them. When several people
gather together, they must have their way. Why should they
suffer on my account?”