Gita : Ch-6. Slo-16.

Very  important : Here  Lord  explains  the  details  of  food/ diet / nourishment  of   'Yogi'


Srimad Bhagavad-Gita :


Chapter-6. ( Dhyana-yogam )


Slokam-16. ( Now  the   food   and   sleep   details   of    one     who    wishes    to    follow    yoga    are   narrated  :  " O Arjuna!  the science  ( yogam )  of  uniting  the  individual   Consciousness  ( Jivatma )  with the Ultimate  Consciousness  ( Paramatma ) i.e., " Yoganubhuthi "  never occurs  for  one  who  eats  too  much,  or  one  who  eats  too  little,  nor  also  for  one  sleeps  too  much,  or  sleeps  too  little.")  



natyasnatastu      yogosti      na    caikantamanasnatah,



na     catisvapnasilasya      jagrato      naiva     carjuna.




Arjuna!   =   Arjuna!

atyasnatah    tu   =   too    much    of     one    who    eats    so,   but;

yogah   na    asti   =   certainly    there   is  never    be    yoganubhuthi  (  union   with   Paramatma );

ekantam    asnatah    na   =   very   low,   and    abstaining    from    eating,  not   (  yoganubhuthi );

atisvapnasilasya     ca    na   =   also,   too    much,    of    one    who    sleeps    too    much;

jagratah    ca   =   or   always    one    who    keeps    night    watch    too    much   (   not   sleeping    at   all );

na    eva   =   never    attains    yoganubhuthi.




After describing the results of meditation Lord Krishna gives the regulations regarding the eating of food and the regimen of sleep habits. One who eats like a glutton or sleeps like a sloth as well as one who fasts too much and sleeps to little are never qualified to practise yoga or the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness. In regard to food it is described by Pantajali that the stomach should be filled one-half with food, one-quarter with liquid and one-quarter should be kept free for the movement of air.


The regulations regarding the eating of food and the regimen of sleep that are to be followed by those practising yoga or the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness are now being given by Lord Krishna. By not following these injunctions it is not possible to even commence practising any form of yoga.


Abstention from performing regulatory fasting such as Ekadasi which is the 11th day of the waxing or waning moon is sanctioned only for the weak and invalid. In the Narada Purana it states: That one who is strong having given up sleep, food, fear, lethargy and actions, meditates within on the Supreme Lord Krishna or His authorised incarnations with eyes half-closed focused on the tip of the nose or the space between the eyebrows attains equanimity of mind.



Regulation of diet and sleep is recommended herein for the yogīs. Too much eating means eating more than is required to keep the body and soul together.


There is no need for men to eat animals because there is an ample supply of grains, vegetables, fruits and milk. Such simple foodstuff is considered to be in the mode of goodness according to the Bhagavadgeeta.


 Animal food is for those in the mode of ignorance. Therefore, those who indulge in animal food, drinking, smoking and eating food which is not first offered to the Lord  will suffer sinful reactions because of eating only polluted things.  Anyone who eats for sense pleasure, or cooks for himself, not offering his food to the Lord eats only sin. One who eats sin and eats more than is allotted to him cannot execute perfect yoga. It is best that one eat only the remnants of foodstuff offered to Lord. A person in  consciousness does not eat anything which is not first offered to Lord.


Therefore, only the Lord's conscious person can attain perfection in yoga practice. Nor can one who artificially abstains from eating, manufacturing his own personal process of fasting, practice yoga. The conscious person observes fasting as it is recommended in the scriptures. He does not fast or eat more than is required, and he is thus competent to perform yoga practice.


One who eats more than required will dream very much while sleeping, and he must consequently sleep more than is required. One should not sleep more than six hours daily. One who sleeps more than six hours out of twenty-four is certainly influenced by the mode of ignorance. A person in the mode of ignorance is lazy and prone to sleep a great deal. Such a person cannot perform yoga.


There is no possibility of one's becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much, or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough.


To be continued  ....