The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action

Krishna describes food regulation as a form of sacrifice. 'Niyatāhārāḥ' (moderate/regulated eating) means controlling food intake—not too much, not too little, eating with awareness. 'Prāṇān prāṇeṣu juhvati' (offering vital airs into vital airs) means that moderate eating maintains the vital forces, so eating becomes offering rather than indulgence. The closing phrase 'sarve 'py ete yajñavido yajñakṣapitakalmaṣāḥ' (all these are knowers of sacrifice, whose sins are destroyed by sacrifice) summarizes all the types of sacrifice mentioned—whether material giving, austerity, yoga, study, breath control, or food regulation, all are valid forms of yajna. When performed correctly, all destroy impurities ('kṣapitakalmaṣāḥ')—all forms of sacrifice lead to purification. This verse concludes the list of different types of sacrifice, emphasizing that the method matters less than the attitude.