Contents
Shri Sankara's Gita Bhashya
(Sri Sankaracharya's Commentary on the Gita)
CHAPTER -6
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16. Yoga is not for him who eats too much, nor for him who does not cat at all, nor for him who sleeps too much, nor even for him who is (always) awake, O Arjuna. Yoga is not for him who eats loo much, that is, in excess of what is the proper measure[1] for him, nor for him who does not eat at all. As the Śruti says: "Whatever food is the proper measure for one, that protects and harms not. A greater quantity injures; and a smaller quantity protects not"[2]. Therefore, a yogi should not eat either in excess of, or less than, what is the proper quantity tor him. Another interpretation is: Yoga is not for him who eats in excess of the quantity of food prescribed for a yogin in the yoga-śāstra. The quantity has been specified thus - "Half (the stomach) for food and seasoned articles, the third (quarter) for water, the fourth (quarter) being left over for the free movement of air." In like manner, yoga is not for him who sleeps loo much, nor even for him who is awake excessively, O Arjuna! How then is Yoga to be achieved? The reply is - |
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