THE EQUINOX
diet is defined to mean taking pleasant and sweet food, leaving
one fourth of the stomach free, and offering up the act to
Shiva.”*
Things that have been once cooked and have since grown
cold should be avoided, also foods containing an excess of
salt and sourness. Wheat, rice, barley, butter, sugar, honey
and beans may be eaten, and pure water and milk drunk.
The Yogi should partake of one meal a day, usually a little
after noon. ‘Yoga should not be practised immediately after
a meal, nor when one is very hungry; before beginning the
practice, some milk and butter should be taken.” +
v. Physical considerations.
The aspirant to Yoga should study his body as well as his
mind, and should cultivate regular habits. He should strictly
adhere to the rules of health and sanitation. He should rise
an hour before sunrise, and bathe himself twice daily, in the
morning and the evening, with cold water (if he can do so
without harm to his health). His dress should be warm so
that he is not distracted by the changes of weather.
vi. Moval considerations.
The Yogi should practise kindness to all creatures, he
should abandon enmity towards any person, “ pride, duplicity,
and crookedness” ... and the “ companionship of women.”¢
Further, in Chapter 5 of the ‘Shiva Sanhita” the hindrances
* “ Hatha-Yoga Pradipika,” p. 22. On the question of food Vivekananda in
his “Bhakti Yoga,” p. 90, says: “The cow does not eat meat, nor does the
sheep. Are they great Yogins? ... Any fool may abstain from eating meat;
surely that alone gives him no more distinction than to herbivorous animals.”
Also see “Gheranda Sanhita,” pp. 34-36.
t “Shiva Sanhita,” iii, 37. t Lbid, iii, 33.
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