Secret of Life
For man, health is the greatest wealth. From time immemorial, many countries have been delving in ways to preserve good health and disseminating the knowledge among all. In the absence of sound health, human aspirations become futile. Unable to realize this truth, man is losing his wealth by wrong habits…
You may be thinking that this body would anyway perish, today or tomorrow. It may indeed be a water bubble. But many are the legendary persons who used this water bubble to lead an ideal life, accomplishing monumental deeds, and studying profound theories. Here deha, the body, became essential means for desha, the nation, to reveal sacred ideals. Principles of perfect life were propagated to other countries through the virtuous lives and meritorious deeds of the individuals in the nation.
Today’s youth do not understand this secret of life. Dawn to dusk they adopt unhealthy ways of living and face miserable consequences. Scholars, noble men, and many such intelligent people carried out a variety of experiments and discovered ways to free this body from disease and illness. When body is ridden with diseases, health wanes and one is afflicted by all kinds of miseries. …
Nowadays, why does a teenager of 16 years look like a decrepit of 60 years? The unhealthy practices that they are used to in their daily lives are the actual reason for this. As soon as we wake up in the morning, we should cleanse our mouth. The inner and outer sides of teeth should be brushed well. Surface of the tongue should be cleaned thoroughly. For, mouth is the front entrance, the gateway for all diseases. While talking to each other we should be cautious of unpleasant odor. Health should thus be protected through hygiene. Not only this, each working part of the body should be fit and robust.
We should always be aware of the truth that divinity is inherent in each limb and organ of the body. That is why Vedas extol God as “angeerasa,” the essential fluid in the limbs. Each part of the body has its intrinsic characteristic goodness. You should learn from Mahabharata, how strong were the Indians who protected their health in this manner. At the time of the Great War, Bhishma’s age was 115 years and he was Commander-in-Chief. Similarly, Krishna was 86 and Arjuna was 84. Such were the mighty warriors of those days who lived with health and happiness. Thus, by preserving health, the men and women of those times were able to be exemplars for many ideals to the nation. They ate and slept in time. Ate lightly and never partook anything out of schedule. …
Students! I am indeed begging of you: please shun your vices, give up bad habits, develop virtues, cultivate good habits, take to right path and enjoy an ideal life. If you have both health and happiness, you need not acquire anything else. Money can always be earned, but what is really important is earning of virtues. Money without virtues is of no use, for, it is virtue that gives happiness in life and not money. Make your parents happy. If they are into bad habits and try to pull you in, tell them as follows, “These things are not good. They spoil us. We know that you wish our well-being but you are showing us wrong ways of life. Swami told us what is good for our well-being; allow us to do that.” Do lead a sacred life on the sacred path with good behavior. All of you be happy and I shall tell you many more special things.
Source: Divine Discourse, May 27, 2002
