Shloka 16
Dhyana Yoga — Atma Samyama Yoga
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः । न चाति स्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन ॥ ६.१६ ॥
nāty-aśnatas tu yogo 'sti na caikāntam anaśnataḥ | na cāti-svapna-śīlasya jāgrato naiva cārjuna || 6.16 ||
No hay yoga para quien come en exceso, ni para quien no come en absoluto; ni para quien duerme demasiado, ni para quien permanece siempre despierto, oh Arjuna.
हे अर्जुन! न तो बहुत खाने वाले का और न बिल्कुल न खाने वाले का ही योग सिद्ध होता है; न बहुत सोने वाले का और न सदा जागने वाले का ही।
Yoga is not for one who eats too much, nor for one who does not eat at all; not for one excessively given to sleep, nor for one who stays awake too much, O Arjuna.
The verse is textually stable. Interpretations differ mainly in emphasis: ascetic traditions cite it to critique extremes, while modern wellness readings highlight balance as a practical prerequisite for sustained contemplative training.
FAQs
Extreme eating or sleeping patterns destabilize attention and mood. The verse recognizes that cognitive clarity depends on physiological regulation.
Moderation is not an end in itself but a support for inner steadiness; it helps reduce tamas (lethargy) and rajas (agitation), enabling contemplative insight.
After describing meditation posture and orientation, the text adds lifestyle constraints, showing yoga as a whole-of-life discipline rather than a single technique.
Maintain regular meals and sleep sufficient for alertness; avoid crash dieting, chronic sleep deprivation, or overeating that undermines focus and emotional balance.