Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Swami Swatmarama

      1 Bitter, sour, saltish, green vegetables, fermented, oily, mixed with til seed, rape seed, intoxicating liquors, fish, meat, curds, chhaasa pulses, plums, oil-cake, asafoetida (hinga), garlic, onion, etc., should not be eaten.

      2 Food heated again, dry, having too much salt, sour, minor grains, and vegetables that cause burning sensation, should not be eaten. Fire, women, travelling, etc., should be avoided.

      3 As said by Goraksa, one should keep aloof from the society of the evil-minded, fire, travelling, early morning bath, fasting, and all kinds of bodily exertion.

      4 Wheat, rice, barley, shâstik (a kind of rice), good corns, milk, ghee, sugar, butter, sugarcandy, honey, dried ginger, Parwal (a vegetable), the five vegetables, moong, pure water, these are very beneficial to those who practice Yoga.

      5 A yogi or yogini should eat tonics (things giving strength), well sweetened, greasy (made with ghee), milk butter, etc., which may increase humors of the body, according to his or her desire.

      6 Whether young, old or too old, sick or lean, one who discards laziness, gets success if he or she practices Yoga.

      7 Success comes to him or her who is engaged in the practice. How can one get success without practice; for by merely reading books on Yoga, one can never get success.

      8 Success cannot be attained by adopting a particular dress (Vesa). It cannot be gained by telling tales. Practice alone is the means to success. This is true, there is no doubt.

      9 âsanas, various Kumbhakas, and other divine means, all should be practiced in the practice of Hatha Yoga, till the fruitóRâja Yoga is obtained. End of the first chapter, on the method of forming the âsanas.