Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

486 THE SUSHRUTASAMHITA. [Chap. XXIV.
makes the body light and glossy, firm and compact.
The power of enduring fatigue and weariness and
the variations of temperature, thirst, etc., are the
virtues which are invariably found to follow in its
train. It leads to an undiseascd existence and is the
best means of reducing corpulency. The enemies of
a man habituated to regular physical exercises, dare
not molest him through fear (for his strength— D. R.).
Imbecility and senile decay never approach him, and
the muscles of his body become firm and steady.
Diseases fly from the presence of a person, habituated* to
regular physical exercise and (subsequent) shampooing,
just as small beasts do on seeing a lion. It makes an
aged and deformed man (young and) good-looking.
Food consisting of articles incompatible in their
potency, and itidigested and decomposed food are easily
digested in a man who takes regular physical exercise
(and cannot produce any bad effect\ Regular physical
exercise is (particularly) beneficial to a strong man
accustomed to the use of emollient food (abounding in
proteid matter), in all seasons of the year ; but in
the winter and the spring, it is highly :
indispensably)
necessary for him. A man seeking his own good should
take physical exercise every day only to the half extent
of his capacity (Valardha), as otherwise it may prove
fatal. That amount of exercise which makes the Pr^na-
Vayu come out through the mouth-j- {i.e., as soon as
* Dallana's reading here evidently is "o5n^TTf1%^1T^^" " place of
"Bm^ | 4^-d '^J|M^ " This I
as produces sweat."
would mean "of one taking so much exercise
t According to several authorities, the appearance of perspiration
on the nose, the axilla, the forehead and in the joints of the hands
and the legs and dryness of the mouth are the symptoms which
indicate that one has taken Valstrdha physical exercise (i.e., to the
half extent of his capacity).— Dallana.