Page:Advice to the Indian Aristocracy.djvu/91

53 only in view, to keep the body in health; yet most of them appear at the first view as if they were simply connected with religion. Purity is prescribed as the first essential in all actions; because there is nothing more important and necessary for the maintenance of health than purity. Purity must be observed both in body and in mind. The great Manu says : "Impurity does more than anything else to shorten a man's life in this world." Bhishma and some others advised the King Yudhisthira about his health. They said that he should not neglect his health, and that he should be in daily consultation with qualified physicians. All the best qualities that a man should possess depend on health. If his health fails, he cannot do anything as he should do.

As I am not a physician, I cannot enter into detail regarding the rules prescribed for maintaining health; but I can give you