You must practise moderation in food, drink, sleep and exercise. Good food taken in moderate quantities at regular intervals, that is the prescription. Sattvika food promotes self-control and intelligence more than Rajasika and Tamasika. So, for spiritual aspirants, Sattvika food is very necessary. One has to be very careful about food, especially when one is proceeding Godward through the steep path of Yoga. (SSS Vol.2, p. 76)
‘Mitha thindi, ati hayi’: moderate food gives immense ease. (SSS Vol.2, p. 188)
Moderation is productive of better results than excess. (NNSG Vol.4, p. 15)
Sleep too should be regulated and moderate; it is as important as work and food. Remember that dress is primarily for protection against heat and cold, not for vain display even at the cost of health. Virtuous conduct also ensures mental peace and in turn saves you from many a physical and mental illness. If you overstep Mithi you miss your Gati (Mithi - Bounds; Gati - Progress). Moderation is productive of better results than excess. (SSS Vol.2, p. 77)
Moderation in food, moderation in talk and in desires and pursuits, contentment with what little can be got by honest labour, eagerness to serve and to impart joy to all: these are the most powerful of all the tonics of health - preservers known to the science of health, the Sanathana ‘Ayurveda’. (SIP, p. 170)
Embodiments of Love: You should cultivate the habit of moderation. We should not go to excesses and extremes in any matter or actions. Even the ocean, which is a source of immense benefit and gives sustenance to the world, never crosses its bounds. Even in the case of food, which is essential for the sustenance of the body, if eaten in a little excess, will turn into poison and cause disease. Take another instance, the chewing of paan (betel leaves). If you do not apply lime, it isn’t palatable and does not serve the purpose. But simply because lime is necessary, if you apply it liberally, it will cause blisters in the mouth. Therefore lime also is to be used in its limits.
That is why our scriptures, which proclaim the spiritual truths and which are endorsed by the seers by their personal experience and example, have exhorted, ‘Ati Sarvatra Varjayet’ – avoid extremes in all cases’. If we take anything in excess, it will ruin our health. But again, if we restrict it to too little, that will also cause harm, and will affect the health adversely. You should therefore adopt ‘moderation’ always. (TTFFW, pp. 18-19)
What Happiness did the demon Somakasura attain by stealing the Vedas from Brahma and opposing Lord Vishnu? What was the fate of ten-headed Ravana who abducted the consort of Rama? What did Duryodhana take with him in the end who refused to give to the Pandavas even as much land as would occupy a needlepoint? What happened to the wicked Kamsa ultimately who indulged in gruesome act of slaying infants? The same will be the fate of the wicked today. If not today, one day or the other, they are bound to meet their doom. Oh men! Do not entertain excessive desires. Better lead a life of moderation. (SS Oct 01 , p. 10)