Question: Yogis can stay without food for many days; there is a desire to be independent of food. In Russia, Zinaida Baranova hasn’t eaten or drunk for several years. How to achieve this?
Answer: This is what’s called a yogic siddhi, or yogic perfection. It’s possible for a very-very few people. For the general masses, it’s impossible – the austerity, the sacrifice, regulation, and so on – it’s just not possible. So you can’t do it. That is just one thing.
Number two, in our bhakti yoga process we learn the real goal in life is to develop a loving relationship with God. That’s the goal. That’s when you are going to be happy.
Now, as I described it, you take these nice food stuffs that have been provided to us: the fruits, the vegetables, etc. You make a very nice preparation and you offer it to God. This is something special. Now you have a chance to recognize who you are, who God is, to approach Him with an offering, ask Him, “Please, accept this.”
This is something you can’t do if you don’t eat. What are you going to offer? “I don’t eat, I don’t drink.” You miss that loving exchange! And then the food becomes purified when He accepts it, and after that you eat that spiritually potent food, and it cleanses your mind and your heart.