Saṃhāra-krama (The Sequence of Cosmic Dissolution) — Yājñavalkya’s Discourse
भीष्म उवाच कणानां भक्षणे युक्त: पिण्याकस्य च भारत | स्नेहानां वर्जने युक्तो योगी बलमवाप्लुयात्
bhīṣma uvāca | kaṇānāṁ bhakṣaṇe yuktaḥ piṇyākasya ca bhārata | snehānāṁ varjane yukto yogī balam avāpnuyāt ||
भीष्म बोले—हे भारत! जो योगी धान की खुद्दी और तिल की खली जैसे सादे अन्न का सेवन करता है तथा घी-तेल आदि स्निग्ध पदार्थों का त्याग करता है, वही योगबल प्राप्त करता है।
भीष्म उवाच
Yogic strength is supported by tapas (austerity) and self-restraint, especially through a simple, non-indulgent diet—eating plain grains and avoiding rich, oily/unctuous foods.
In the Shanti Parva instruction, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on disciplines conducive to spiritual practice, here highlighting dietary austerity as a means to cultivate yogic power and steadiness.