Shloka 42
Saṃhāra-krama (The Sequence of Cosmic Dissolution) — Yājñavalkya’s Discourse
युधिछिर उवाच आहारान् कीदृशान् कृत्वा कानि जित्वा च भारत । योगी बलमवाप्रोति तद् भवान् वक्तुमहसि,युधिष्ठिरने पूछा--भरतनन्दन! योगी कैसे आहार करके और किन-किनको जीतकर योगशक्ति प्राप्त कर लेता है, यह आप मुझे बतानेकी कृपा करें
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: āhārān kīdṛśān kṛtvā kāni jitvā ca Bhārata | yogī balam avāpnoti tad bhavān vaktum arhasi ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O Bhārata, by adopting what kind of diet, and by conquering which inner obstacles, does a yogin attain spiritual strength? Please explain this to me.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames yogic attainment as grounded in disciplined living: right regulation of food (āhāra) and victory over inner adversaries (such as senses and passions). Spiritual strength is presented as the fruit of ethical self-mastery rather than mere technique.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and liberation-oriented practices, Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully asks the elder teacher addressed as “Bhārata” to explain the practical disciplines—dietary regulation and the conquests of inner obstacles—by which a yogin gains yogic power/strength.