(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)
One Cannot Be Successful in Yoga If The Rules Of Bodily Maintenance Are Broken
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नत: |
न चाति स्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन || 6.16||
nātyaśhnatastu yogo ’sti na chaikāntam anaśhnataḥ
na chāti-svapna-śhīlasya jāgrato naiva chārjuna|| 6.16||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 6- Ver. 16:
Those who eat too much or too little, or who sleep too much or too little, cannot succeed in Yoga, O Arjun.
Explanation
He claims that individuals who do not follow the norms of bodily health would not be successful in Yoga. Although we are not our bodies, they are our carriers for as long as we live, and we must take care of them. The body serves as a vehicle for spiritual action. When the body is ill, spiritual activities are also hampered.
The Vedas do not advise us to ignore our bodies while practising spirituality. In fact, they teach us how to use material science to take care of our bodies. Material science is required for the upkeep of our bodies, whereas spiritual science is required for the expression of our inner divinity. We must strike a balance between both to reach the goal.
Overeating or not eating at all, intense activity or complete inaction, and so forth, according to Shree Krishna, are all obstacles to Yoga. Spiritual practitioners should take care of their bodies by eating fresh, healthy foods, exercising on a regular basis, and obtaining enough sleep each night.
Where will the mind go when we sit in meditation if the body is without sustenance for an extended period of time? It will be spent on food. If we forcibly deprive the body of sleep, the same thing will happen. Sleep will take over the body the moment we close our eyes to meditation. Such difficulties become impediments to meditation. One shopuld not torture the very instrument with which one seeks liberation.
The other extreme is living a life that is characterised by excessive eating and sleeping. Aside from the health risks of overeating, the added pressure on the digestive system will divert the mind’s concentration away from meditation. Overeating leads the meditator back to the body, whereas meditation tries to negate association with the body. Oversleeping also causes the body to become dull and taamasic. Oversleeping, rather than elevating the meditator to a greater degree of sattva, pulls the meditator down.
Verse & what we can learn
One should eat just the perfect amount of food. Food refers to all inputs, as well as food for all senses. Excessive indulgence leads to tiredness and ill health, while sense denial leads to frustration. Intelligent sensing control allows for optimum enjoyment as well as energy conservation and redirection. Meditation thrives in a reasonable, well-regulated life.
To achieve spiritual goals, you must live a balanced and moderate lifestyle. Meditation will be difficult for someone who deprives his body of food and sleep on a regular basis. Severe adversity does not accelerate the process of enlightenment in any way. Any deviation from treating the body with care and moderation is an impediment not only on the spiritual path, but also in everyday life.
To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.
There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There are also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.
In the Next verse, Shri Krishna tells Arjuna about how sorrows can be eliminated through yoga.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…