natyashnatastu yogosti na chaikantamanashnah (Gita 6.16) There are rules everywhere in this world and everyone is bound to follow them; scientific as well as spiritual ...

Regardless of whether a person is a karmayogi, a gyanyogi, or a bhaktiyogi, he will have to follow these rules and they are equally applicable to all. For example, consume the right foods, behave in the proper manner, sleep at the appropriate time, and wake up at the right time too. You must follow these simple rules as well. If you sleep too much, you will invite sickness and if you sleep too little you will invite sickness. Similarly, if you eat too much you will become sick and if you do not eat enough, you will become sick.

Whether it is for your material upliftment or your spiritual upliftment, having a healthy body is essential and the first requirement for both. This is known as sharimadyam, that is, heal the body first and then you can progress. If we ignore the science of moderation and allow some pain or the other to inevitably come, when you try to focus your mind on God or guru, your mind will rush to your body. Instead of contemplating on God and guru, you will be contemplating on your aches and pains. In this way, even the most devout spiritual aspirant will not be able to meditate on his beloved Lord.

Excerpts of several discourses by Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj have been compiled in this book elaborating on this principle of the Bhagavad Gita. In a very clear and comprehensible way, Kripalu Ji Maharaj explains from a spiritual perspective why it is necessary to maintain a healthy body. Without giving the body all the necessary vitamins and proteins, it will soon become ill, and your illness will overshadow any attempt thereafter to meditate on God.