Bhagavad Gita BG 6.16
Chapter 6, Verse 16 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः । न चाति स्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन ॥
naty-ashnatas tu yogo 'sti na caikantam anashnatas na cati svapna-shilasya jagrato naiva ca arjuna
Meaning
Yoga is not for one who eats too much, nor for one who eats not at all; not for one who sleeps too much, nor for one who is always awake, O Arjuna.
Understanding
A practical wisdom verse about the middle path in physical life. Yoga fails for: (1) naty-ashnata — the one who overeats (excess food = excess inertia, dullness), (2) ekanta-anashnata — the one who eats not at all (extreme fasting = excess agitation, weakness), (3) ati svapna-sheela — the habitual over-sleeper (excess tamas), (4) jagrata — the one always awake (excessive rajas). Balance in food and sleep is not a compromise but the intelligent foundation for meditation.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अत्यश्नतः | aty-ashnatas | of one who eats excessively |
| एकान्तम् | ekantam | absolutely, completely (here: not at all) |
| अनश्नतः | anashnatas | of one who does not eat |
| स्वप्नशीलस्य | svapna-shilasya | of one with the habit of excessive sleep |
| जाग्रतः | jagratah | of one who remains always awake |
| न | na | not (yoga is not for the over-eater) |
| तु | tu | but / however |
| योगः | yogaḥ | yoga / this yoga |
| अस्ति | asti | is / exists (yoga does not exist for) |
| न च | na ca | nor / and not |
| न एव | naiva | not at all / neither |
| अर्जुन | arjuna | O Arjuna |