युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु | युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा || १७ ||
yuktāhāra-vihārasya yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu yukta-svapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā
yukta—regulated; āhāra—eating; vihārasya—recreation; yukta—regulated; ceṣṭasya—of one who works for maintenance; karmasu—in discharging duties; yukta—regulated; svapna-avabodhasya—sleep and wakefulness; yogaḥ—practice of yoga; bhavati—becomes; duḥkha-hā—diminishing pains.
“For one who is moderate in eating and recreation, who is regulated in work, and who is balanced in sleep and wakefulness — yoga becomes the destroyer of all pain.”
The word 'yukta' appears three times in this verse like a rhythmic emphasis: regulated eating, regulated recreation, regulated sleep and wakefulness. The Sanskrit 'yukta' is related to 'yoga' — it implies alignment, balance, and right measure. When all these lifestyle factors are brought into right proportion, the yoga practice itself becomes effective as a 'duḥkha-hā' — a destroyer of all suffering. The outer life and the inner practice must support each other.
Review your daily schedule honestly. Is there yuktāhāra (moderation in food)? Is there yukta-vihara (healthy recreation — enough play and rest, not excess or absence)? Is there yukta-svapna (right sleep — neither too much nor too little)? The quality of your meditation will directly reflect the quality of your lifestyle.