Yoga as Body and Mind Control 29

xyslem, Krsna proclaims that yoga cannot be proper-
ly performed by one who eats too much or eats too
little. One who starves himself cannot properly per-
form yoga. Nor can the person who eats more than
required. The eating process should be moderate,
just enough to keep body and soul together; it should
nol be for the enjoyment of the tongue. When
palatable dishes come before us, we are accustomed
lo lake not just one of the preparations but two,
three and four—and upwards. Our tongue is never
xulistied. But it is not unusual in India to see a yogi
lake only a small spoonful of rice a day and nothing
more. Nor can one execute the meditational yoga
xystem if one sleeps too much or does not sleep
sufficiently. Krsna does not say that there is such
w thing as dreamless sleep. As soon as we go to
vleep, we will have a dream, although we may not
remember it. In the Gita Krsna cautions that one
who dreams too much while sleeping cannot proper-
ly execute yoga. One should not sleep more than
xix hours daily. Nor can one infected by insomnia,
who cannot sleep at night, successfully execute yoga,
for the body must be kept fit. Thus Krsna outlines
xo many requirements for disciplining the body. All
hese requirements, however, can essentially be
lroken down into four basic rules: no illicit sexual
connection, no intoxication, no meat-eating and no
yambling. These are the four minimum regulations
for the execution of any yoga system. And in this
aye who can refrain from these activities? We have to
lest ourselves accordingly to ascertain our success in
yoga execution.
