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332
THE WAY OF LIFE
THINK OF YOUR HEALTH
Sometimes, it happens that the head of the family gives the right advice but the members of the family do not care for it. But if the same advice is given by the family-doctor, they abide by it. Otherwise, there will not be any need to go to a doctor when one is slightly ill.
Refrain from eating food as soon as you notice the symptoms of indigestion mentioned above. If you fast for a day, you will be all right.
The body is the most important means in your endeavour to carry out your spiritual austerities. Therefore, you must keep your body healthy.
बलमूलं हि जीवनम Life depends on strength and health. Strength means here capacity. You must keep your body strong and healthy.
The strength of the body declines either on account of heavy work or on account of a lack of nutritious food. Of course, we have to admit the possibility of the Ashatavedaniya Karma producing its effects but that is an inner cause. This karma shows its effect when the right time comes.
When your body has grown weak, you must stop doing strenuous work and at such a time, you must take soft food. If you happen to get fever on account of heavy work, you should not take recourse to medical treatment. At such times, stop working; take a little rest and eat some soft food. Soft food means eating halva prepared in ghee and similar kinds of food.
Whenever illness appears, you must receive proper treatment. You should never neglect disease. Neglected diseases become dangerous like poison. Therefore, as soon as you feel that you are ill you should begin taking medicine. You must also effect the necessary changes in your food-habits and you must also take proper medical treatment.
The discussion of the twentieth ordinary principle ends here. This is enough for to-day,
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