Eternal Youth

Who does not want to look and feel eternally young and beautiful? Those who notice receding hairlines and dark patches around eyes, appearing wrinkles or sagging breasts tend to get worried with age catching up with them. Those who are young want to look even younger with well-toned bodies, fairer skin, a permanent glow and radiance. The brands aggressively promote moisturizing creams, fair skin, colors for free flowing hair, no dandruff solutions, toners, anti -ageing creams and a score of other products that guarantee results within a fortnight. It is difficult to estimate the actual volume of money spent just in promotion of these products leave aside the cost for the actual manufacture, distribution, logistics, and storage and dealer commissions! The road sides have huge hoardings, the prime time TV is hogged by advertisements, major events are sponsored and every known gimmick is used to sell such products by the companies.

The fact remains that popularity and sales figures are directly proportional to the visibility of brands and recall value of each advertisement. In nutshell all of us are in the race to possess these to look younger. Movie stars, sportsmen, prominent personalities, stage actors are in constant demand in campaigns for promotion of these products, to allure the masses!

The secret of eternal youth was known to the rishis and yogis and they defied the human life span by remaining young forever and no one knew their real age. Markandeya , the son of rishi Mrikandu was born with a blessing of a very high intelligence but a short life span of 12 years. Markandeya was a devout follower of Lord Shiva and when he attained the age of 12 years, Yama the god of death came and threw a noose around Markandeya to take his life. It accidentally landed on the ‘Shivlinga’ and this enraged Lord Shiva who went to a point just short of killing Yama. He was spared by Lord Shiva on the condition that Markendeya would live forever. Thus the name ’Kalantaka’ was given to Lord Shiva and to this day, Maha Mrityuanjay  Stotra  is attributed to Markandeya and is often recited to conquer the death!!

Greek and Roman mythology are replete with accounts of quest for eternal youth. Hebes was the ‘Goddess of Eternal youth ‘according to the Greek mythology and the name meant ‘youth’. Maharishi  Charak the founder of Ayurveda knew the link between wellbeing and diseases and factors responsible for the diseases namely movements(Vata) transformation(Pitta) and Stability(Kapha). Thousands of years back Sage Chayvan promoted use of a jam like paste called ‘Chyavanprash’ comprising of olives, herbs etc to work wonders if used  for a long time for a healthy body.

 In recent times more modern and scientific theories have been propounded by likes of Dr Robert Atkins are the basis of the ‘Atkins Diet’ which promotes curbing consumption of carbohydrates. So the quest for the eternal beauty and long life has a long history behind it!

Most of us are so carried away with the promotional messages on the media, instead of leading a  healthy life style. A tried and tested recipe is being shared for those who would like to try. Start the day with two/ three glasses of ordinary water/warm water with honey and fresh lime. Thereafter, go for a walk, exercise, or yoga, for about half an hour. Soak some Anjeer(Figs), Munnaka(Dried white Sultana grapes), Almonds, Dates etc overnight. The breakfast of cereals, fresh fruits/eggs , multi grain bread and the soaked dry fruits with a few kernels of cashews and walnuts !Plenty of water and all colored fruits like black grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits rich in antioxidants and seeds act wonder! Do not throw the skin of fruits like papaya/lime/mango/melons but gently rub them on the face and leave it for half an hour as a natural mask! Eat ordinary lunch not too rich in oil and lot of salads especially of sprouts, green leafy vegetables. In the evening a cup of tea with light snacks followed with early dinner of a multigrain bread or chapatti with seasonal vegetable, yoghurt and salad alternatively meat cooked in low oil preferably not red meat. Do not forget an evening walk before or after dinner. The key to a graceful ageing is being regular in routine of ‘early to bed and early to rise to make happy healthy and wise’.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them!"

2 Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9 Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

PS- Images Kind Courtesy Google