TRANSLATION

In the province of Kulacala, there were rivers named Candravasa, Tamraparni
and Vatodaka. King Malayadhvaja used to go to those pious rivers regularly
and take his bath there. Thus he purified himself externally and
internally. He took his bath and ate bulbs, seeds, leaves, flowers, roots,
fruits and grasses and drank water. In this way he underwent severe
austerities. Eventually he became very skinny.

PURPORT

We can definitely see that to advance in Krsna consciousness one must
control his bodily weight. If one becomes too fat, it is to be assumed
that he is not advancing spiritually. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakura severely criticized his fat disciples. The idea is that one who
intends to advance in Krsna consciousness must not eat very much. Devotees
used to go to forests, high hills or mountains on pilgrimages, but such
severe austerities are not possible in these days. One should instead eat
only prasada and no more than required. According to the Vaisnava
calendar, there are many fasts, such as Ekadasi and the appearance and
disappearance days of God and His devotees. All of these are meant to
decrease the fat within the body so that one will not sleep more than
desired and will not become inactive and lazy. Overindulgence in food will
cause a man to sleep more than required. This human form of life is meant
for austerity, and austerity means controlling sex, food intake, etc. In
this way time can be saved for spiritual activity, and one can purify
himself both externally and internally. Thus both body and mind can be
cleansed.