The Yoga of Meditation

Krishna describes the balanced lifestyle that supports yoga practice. 'Yuktāhāra-vihārasya'—for one who is moderate (yukta) in eating (āhāra) and recreation (vihārasya). This means: balanced eating—not too much, not too little. Balanced recreation—not excessive, not absent. 'Yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu'—for one who is moderate (yukta) in exertion (ceṣṭasya) in actions (karmasu). This means: balanced work—not overworking, not underworking. 'Yukta-svapnāvabodhasya'—for one who is moderate (yukta) in sleep (svapna) and wakefulness (avabodhasya). This means: balanced sleep—not too much, not too little. 'Yogo bhavati duḥkhahā'—yoga (yogaḥ) becomes (bhavati) the destroyer of sorrow (duḥkhahā). This means: when you live a balanced lifestyle—moderate eating, recreation, work, sleep—yoga practice becomes effective and destroys all suffering. This is the positive counterpart to verse 6.16—instead of extremes preventing yoga, moderation enables it.