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HEALTHY LIFE
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In the last issue youths
were advised to wake up and realize the importance of life. In that issue the
benefits of getting up early were highlighted. In this issue emphasis is given
to important points necessary for a healthy life.
Visiting
the Toilet
In
the morning after cleaning the teeth and mouth one must drink few glasses of
water. After drinking the water one should visit the toilet. Usually people do
not pay so much attention to the cleanliness of their stomach compared to
eating. Many people keep on eating something all the time and they think that
visiting the toilet once in 24 hours is good enough.
Each person must visit
the toilet for excretion twice a day, once in the morning and once in the
evening. The Ayurved (book of health) states that if body waste is excreted
before sunrise, it increases the life span of a person.
Many people, due to other
important commitments, hold on to the call of nature. To do this is very harmful
to the body. Whenever there is call of nature one should never hold it because
to do so causes various sicknesses such as heaviness, headache etc. The eyesight
becomes weak.
Some people cannot
excrete in the morning and if they do so then it is done partly only. They have
to visit the toilet a couple of times before the excretion is complete. Those
who have constipation must pay attention to the following tips:
1.
Do exercise
daily
2.
Use
whole meal sharps for roti. People with constipation should eat a lot
of fruits and green vegetables instead of dhal. Using a lot of
spices in food causes constipation. The meals should include ghee, milk, butter
etc. in a suitable amount. One must have meals on time.
One who follows the above
tips should not have constipation. If for any reason one does get constipation,
the following practices may help.
1. Every evening fill
some water in a copper container. Leave it overnight and
drink it in the
morning. This will allow easy flow of the body waste.
2. Drink a lot skim
milk. This will cure this sickness quickly.
After visiting the toilet
one should wash hands, legs and mouth. This removes tiredness and improves
eyesight.
Cleanliness
of the Teeth
The teeth are compared
with diamond. The beauty of diamond, its shininess attracts everyone. The teeth
in the mouth like the precious diamond provides charming beauty of the face. The
shining teeth have a special attraction.
It is needless to say how
precious the teeth are to the human body. The teeth are the builders and the
protectors of our body. If our teeth are healthy we have a healthy body and if
our teeth are unhealthy our body becomes unhealthy. Without teeth one loses the
beauty of the face. That too is why our great ancient rishis and the learned
ones have advised us to look after our teeth.
Due to unclean teeth
diseases such as joint pains, heart trouble, eye problems and mental
disabilities are caused. The mouth has bad smell and the gums swell up. Always
remember if the teeth are not healthy then a person cannot keep oneself healthy.
To keep the teeth healthy
and strong is not difficult. If we take care of our teeth at a fixed time daily
then the question of them getting bad before a hundred years does not arise. Our
ancient Ayurvedic teachers have praised the use of datoon (a thin pencil size
green stick used for cleaning the teeth). The datoon of ‘neem’ tree is very good
for the teeth.
After cleaning the teeth
one should clean the tongue. Without cleaning the tongue the cleanliness of the
teeth is just half complete. Cleaning of the tongue removes bad smell of the
mouth and prevents the diseases of the mouth and teeth.
MORNING
WALK
It has been highlighted in
the last issue that dawn is very beneficial for our physical health and mental
and intellectual development. During this time the whole environment is very
pleasant. Sweet smell rises from the earth. The cool breeze blows which gives us
freshness, energy, glitter, encouragement and good health. Our conscience is
full of pleasure and the mind is filled with happiness. Having a walk in this
environment full of sweetness and bliss is very beneficial. Walking early in the
morning is a very good exercise. It is full of wonders. It brings life into a
person who has lost hope.
One should first know the
method of taking morning walk. Put on minimum clothes. While walking the neck
should be raised, the backbone should be kept straight, the chest stretched out
and the knees should be straight. Both hands should move back and forward. The
mouth should be closed. Take in long breathe through your nostrils. This
broadens ones chest and purifies the blood. While walking remove all the worries
from the mind and admire the beauty of nature. Stop thinking about worldly
things and feel that the life giving morning breeze entering my body is
purifying the blood, my skin is being beautified, my body is being energized
and the blood flow is being activated. The sicknesses of the body are being
destroyed. If possible walk alone. If you have to walk with a friend then avoid
talking about useless things because taking a walk without seriousness will not
result in maximum benefit.
Maharishi
Dayanand Saraswati used to walk twelve miles every morning. Mahatma Gandhi
had the habit of walking after prayers everyday. Daily walk increases the
metabolism in the body. Walking is a good cure for constipation. Constipation
which has been troubling you for years and was incurable with medicine, is cured
through morning walk.
Those who have excessive
sexual desires, should make the habit of walking every morning. This brings
sexual desires under control. One should walk in an area which has beautiful
scenery, is clean and where clean air is blowing. The best time for walking is
in the morning but if one cannot do it in the morning then it can be done in the
evening. Walk according to your energy.
Take
a vow from today that you will follow the above to maintain good health.
MASSAGING
The Vedas state:-
Abhyanjanam surabhi sa smriddhi, (Atharva Ved 6 / 124 /3) meaning oil
massaging, application of surma (kajal) and scent lead to progress in ones life.
Oil massaging helps in building a beautiful, strong, healthy and a solid body,
and massaging does not let wrinkles to be formed on the face. Massaging various
parts of the body has various benefits. Massaging oil on the head keeps the hair
soft and shiny. The brain is energised, the eyesight is improved, and one has a
sound sleep. Massaging the face beautifies it. Massaging removes many ailments
from the body and makes it healthy and powerful. It cures diseases like daad and
scabies.
It is stated in Ayurved
(book of medicine) that just like when the root of the tree is watered the
branches and the leaves develop and the tree becomes healthy, similarly
massaging develops fluids, blood, flesh etc in the body. This makes the body
healthy and beautiful.
Maharishi Charak praising
about massaging has said “just as when oil or greasy material is
applied to earthen ware it becomes strong, when applied to the skin makes it
good and if applied to the wheels eases the movement, similarly oil massage
makes the body tough, the skin is beautified and joint pains disappear. The body
is able to withstand physical strains. Oil massage is beneficial to the skin, it
increases the life span, the body shines and old age is kept at a distance. So
it is important that one must massage the body.
The value of oil is no
less than that of ghee. According to Maharishi Charak, oil has eight times more
strength than ghee. The only difference is that ghee is beneficial when taken as
food and oil is beneficial when used for massaging.
The best oil for
massaging is mustard oil. The procedure for massaging is as follows. First
massage the legs and then the hands. After the hands, massage the back,
shoulders and the neck. Then massage the stomach and the chest. According to the
make up of the body, massage every part separately. During cold season massage
under the sunlight and during hot days in a cool place. Massage the back, hands,
legs and head upwards. Massage the stomach and chest upwards. Massaging is good
for boys and girls, as well as for men and women.
Apply oil to every part
of the body and massage well. Do special massaging of the head, ears and the
sole. Daily massaging of the head cures problems such as headaches, hair loss
and weakness of the brain. Putting oil inside of the ears prevents joint pains
in the body and solves the problem of loss of hearing or deafness. Massaging of
the sole improves ones eyesight.
One must have enough time
for massaging. If one does not have enough time then when you have your bath,
instead of applying soap on the body, apply oil and massage the body. This will
take only few minutes but doing so daily will keep you healthy always.
If you cannot massage
daily then do it at least once a week when ever you find it suitable. Weekly
massaging is also beneficial.
Do not massage if you
have fever, cough, sores and vomiting.
After massaging wait for
at least half an hour before bathing.
There should be an
interval of at least three hours between massaging and meals.
BATHING
Bathing daily is also a
very important part of daily Vedic timetable. By bathing the body becomes clean,
the pores of the skin open up, heat of the body is reduced, laziness is removed,
the mind is happy, one is more devoted to studies and God realization, the
digestive system is improved and one is free of sicknesses.
The Rigved states that
water is life. Water is a medicine which acts against diseases. It destroys many
forms of diseases and it will cure your sicknesses as well.
It is written in the
Ayurved that by bathing our body is cleansed, we live longer, tiredness is
removed and the body is energized.
One should always take a
bath in cold water. Use hot water only in unavoidable situations. Under any
circumstance one should only use cold water on the head. Using hot water on the
head weakens the eye sight and the hair and the brain suffers damage as well.
The procedure for bathing
is as follows. First lower the head and wet it. When the head is watered first
the heat in the head escapes downwards through the legs and the head becomes
cooler. If the legs are watered first then the heat travels upwards and finally
ends up in the head. This causes various types of head sicknesses. After wetting
the head wet the rest of the body well. When the body is wet all over then take
a small towel and rub the whole body with it. Do this for 5-7 minutes. The dirt
in the skin pores will swell up and will be removed. Apply a lot of water under
the solar plexus. This cures the problem of wet dreams. At the end use the same
towel and wipe the body dry and put on clothes. The shower is complete.
Note:- Never bath after
meals, at mid night and with clothes on.
PROTECTION
OF THE EYES
Out of all the organs of
the human body the eyes are the best. Someone said it right “without eyes the
world does not exist for you”. Another saying is famous “if you have eyes then
there is world for you”. It is true that without the eyes the world is dead
place. A person should take all the steps to protect the eyes with care until
he/she desires to live because even after having everything the world is useless
for a blind person.
Given below are ways for
eye protection derived from various texts. Practise these and protect your eyes.
1.
Reading while the vehicle is in motion can damage the eyes.
2.
Always sit upright while reading. While reading the book should be at
least 13 inches away from the eyes. Never lean over while reading and writing.
This reduces the eyesight and damages the lungs.
3.
Do not use, towel, eyeglasses etc. belonging to others. Eye diseases
spread this way.
4.
Do not look at the eclipse. If need be use a heavily tinted glasses.
5.
If the eyes are sore then do not read because forcing your eyes will
worsen the problem.
6.
Staring at the moon at night increases the eyesight.
7.
Walking on the grass covered with dew, in the morning increases the eye
sight.
8.
Always read under sufficient light. The light should fall from the back
straight in line with the shoulders and not from the front.
9.
Reading under fluctuating light of sun rise or sun set is harmful to the
eyes.
10.
Washing the head with yoghurt, applying pure mustard oil in the eyes,
applying pure honey, washing the eyes with rose water and smelling the mustard
oil are the ways to improve the eye sight.
11.
If the eyes are weak or the head aches when reading then have a pair of
glasses made.
12.
After meals wash your hands and move the wet hands over the face and
eyes. This increases the eye sight.
14.
Holding on to the call of nature weakens the eyesight. So one should
never hold on to the call of nature.
15.
While reading if you get tired then relax yourself. Do not continue till
tiredness is over.
MEDITATION
The
Vedic literature states that one should meditate daily. After bath one should
sit in a quiet place and meditate. Meditation is very vital part of our daily
timetable. Through meditation one attains physical health, intellectual powers
and a long life span. One must mediate to God daily to make ones life pure and
clean.
Pranayam
(breathing exercise)
During meditation one has
to do breathing exercise (paranayam). Pranayam should be done in the following
manner:-
Sit in a comfortable
posture. Both knees should be touching the floor. The head, neck and the back
bone all should be in a straight line. Rest both hands on the knees. The whole
body should be stretched. The chest should be stretched and bulging outwardly.
The chin should be lowered towards the chest.
Sitting in this way just
like the act of vomiting pushes out in full force and all food and water is
pushed out, similarly air within should be exhaled with full force. All air
should be exhaled in one go not bit by bit. Hold the breath till you can. When
you start feeling uneasy then breathe in slowly but do not hold the breath
within. This is one pranayam. Do this at least three times.
Pranayam cleans the blood
in the lungs. Just as iron is heated in the fire to remove impurities, similarly
pranayam removes all the weaknesses of the senses. Pranayam develops the body,
the lungs are strengthened, mental powers increase and the intelligence is
developed.
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