Verse-16
Chapter 6 — Atma Sanyam Yoga
Verse 16
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
nātyaśnatastu yogo'sti na chaikāntamanaśnataḥ
na cāti svapnaśīlasya jāgrato naiva carjuna
🕉 English Translation
Jo khaye bahut yoga na paa sake,
Na veh bhi jo bilkul hee bhukha rahe.
Na siddh yoga uska jo soye adhik,
Sadaa jagne se bhi ho na yeh siddh.
📜 Translation
English
O Arjun! This yoga cannot be perfected by either the one who eats too much, or the one who abstains from eating. It is also not for the one who habitually sleeps too long or for the one who is always awake.
Simultaneously with the touching of the heights of spirituality is the awareness towards the ground reality. Before climbing the mountain heights it is necessary to practise walking on the even ground. If the foothold is not proper on the even land, then the matter of scaling the heights would appear to be meaningless. The seeker on the meditative path, before climbing to the higher reaches, has also to be vigilant towards normal conduct. This verse is a significant inspiration for the same!
To stuff oneself with food will increase sloth and laziness and this will cause drowsiness and sleepiness during the time of worship and devotion. It will not be possible to sit on the seat, what to say of concentration in meditation. On the other hand, if the stomach is absolutely empty then the attention will be towards the stomach, towards the hunger in the stomach. In this context, the simple hint is that do not eat to your full capacity, but eat as much which can be easily digested. Do not consume what can be consumed by you but only eat that which can be digested. Pure (vegetarian) food in right quantity which is conducive to good health is proper and that too should be partaken as the grace of the Lord.
Similar is the matter of sleeping and waking. The right sleep reduces the laziness causing quality (tamoguna). More than required sleep will cause tamoguna to increase. Excessive sleep leads to slackness and sloth. Complete lack of sleep is also not proper as the body requires proper rest. If it does not get the same then it will make good the loss during worship, devotion and meditation. Time is also not utilized in the right manner as the time meant for sleep has not been used for it and while meditating one is overcome by sleep. What to do? What is right? A very beautiful and distinctive guidance-