Thursday, May 19, 2011

15. Live and Let Live

Live and let live is a golden principle. It tells us about the importance of the spirit of cooperation and brotherhood. We should practise tolerance in our domestic, social, national and international life. Only then can most of our problems and disputes be solved. Most of the people are selfish and narrow-minded. They want to live comfortably. They do not bother about the comforts of others. They do not know that all of us are one. God is our father and all men and women are brothers and sisters. Guru Nanak, Mahatma Gandhi and later on our beloved leader Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru also stressed the need for fellow-feeling. Live and let live is one of the principles of Panch Sheel. If the big nations of the world become tolerant towards each other, the clouds of war can disappear in no time. But the tragedy is that the big powers want to exploit others. They want to enjoy at the cost of others. The need of the hour is that we should rise above petty jealousies. By serving others we serve our ownselves. In the welfare of others lies our own welfare. All our holy books, prophets and well-wishers of mankind have been preaching to us to practise this ideal. The world can be worth living only if we act upon this principle.

14. Health is Wealth

Good health is a valuable treasure that a man can possess. It is only sound health that enables us to enjoy all the pleasures of life. We cannot enjoy prosperity brought by wealth if we do not enjoy good health. A rich man on a sick bed envies the lot of a healthy man eating a coarse diet and sleeping on the hard floor. Health cannot be purchased with money whereas wealth once lost can be re-earned. Life has provided us several comforts and amenities. A well-furnished house, tasty dishes and the servants ready to carry out the orders have little charm for the landlord who has been ailing (sick) for a long time. He is a burden to those around him. After sometime he becomes an object of pity. A sound mind dwells in a sound body. Physical health is necessary for good mental health. A healthy man is calm and peaceful at all times. He can enjoy intellectual pursuits. He can read religious books or life stories of great souls and enrich his own mind. An unhealthy man has a sick mind. He feels irritated over trifles. It is therefore essential that we should take great care of our health. We must realise that health is real wealth. It has been rightly said that if wealth is lost nothing is lost. Wealth can be re-earned. But it is not easy to regain lost health.