Chapter 3 of the NCERT Class 10 Sanskrit textbook "शेमुषी" (Shemushi) is called व्यायामः सर्वदा पथ्यः, which means "Exercise is always wholesome" or "Exercise is always beneficial". The words are व्यायामः (exercise), सर्वदा (always), and पथ्यः (wholesome, health-giving). The chapter is a simple but powerful prose lesson about the value of physical exercise in our daily life. It tells us that the human body is like a machine which must be kept in motion and properly maintained. Just as food gives energy, exercise gives health. The lesson explains that regular exercise strengthens the body, sharpens the mind, improves appetite and digestion, keeps away diseases, gives good sleep, and makes a person cheerful and energetic. It also warns that a lazy person (आलसी) who avoids exercise becomes weak, dull and sickly. The chapter advises that exercise must be done regularly, according to one's own strength, and that it should be combined with a balanced diet and proper rest. Because the lesson is written in easy prose, it is excellent practice for comprehension questions, word meanings, synonyms, opposites and sentence formation. This note explains the lesson in English, gives word meanings and grammar, and provides revision tables, a mind map, SVG diagrams, common mistakes and exam tips.
The title gives the central idea of the whole lesson: व्यायामः सर्वदा पथ्यः — exercise is always good for health. It is not sometimes good and sometimes harmful; if done in the right measure, it is always a friend of the body.
The lesson begins by comparing the body with a machine. A machine that is not used becomes rusty and stops working. In the same way, a body that is not given physical activity becomes weak and dull. God has given us a wonderful body, but we must use it, move it and exercise it daily. Just as a farmer waters his field so that crops grow well, in the same way we must give regular exercise to our body so that it remains strong and healthy. Sitting in one place all day, eating and sleeping too much, and avoiding all physical work is not good for health.
The lesson lists many benefits of daily exercise (व्यायामस्य लाभाः): 1. The body becomes strong and the muscles become firm. 2. The blood circulates well and the body stays warm. 3. Appetite improves and food is digested easily. 4. The body becomes healthy, and many diseases stay away. 5. The mind becomes fresh, and the person feels happy and energetic. 6. Sleep becomes peaceful and regular. 7. The person can work for a long time without getting tired.
Because of these benefits, the wise say that व्यायामः सर्वदा पथ्यः — exercise is always wholesome. Good health (स्वास्थ्यम्) is the greatest wealth of a person, and exercise is the cheapest and most reliable way to obtain it.
The lesson also gives important rules (नियमाः): 1. Exercise must be done daily and regularly, not just sometimes. 2. It should be according to the strength of each person. A weak person should not over-exercise; a strong person may exercise more. 3. Exercise should be done in the open air and in the morning, when the air is pure. 4. After exercise, the body should be given proper rest (विश्रामः). 5. A balanced diet (संतुलितं भोजनम्) and clean water must accompany exercise.
The lesson warns that laziness (आलस्यम्) is the enemy of health. A lazy person who does not exercise becomes fat, weak and sick. Such a person gets tired quickly and cannot study or work well. Therefore, everyone — students, farmers, and all people — should give some time daily to exercise, games and physical activity.
| Sanskrit Word | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| व्यायामः | exercise, physical activity |
| सर्वदा | always |
| पथ्यः | wholesome, beneficial, health-giving |
| स्वास्थ्यम् | health |
| आरोग्यम् | good health, freedom from disease |
| शरीरम् | body |
| बलम् | strength |
| रोगः | disease |
| क्षुधा | appetite, hunger |
| विश्रामः | rest |
| भोजनम् | food |
| आलस्यम् | laziness |
| जलम् | water |
| निद्रा | sleep |
| प्रातः / प्रातःकाले | in the morning |
| वायुः | air |
| यन्त्रम् | machine |
| लाभः | benefit, gain |
| नियमः | rule, regularity |
| दुर्बलः | weak |
Synonyms (पर्यायवाची): शरीरम् = तनुः, देहः (body). जलम् = पयः, सलिलम्, वारि (water). वायुः = पवनः, समीरणः (air). भोजनम् = आहारः, अन्नम् (food). The lesson is a good source for such synonym questions.
Opposites (विलोम): स्वस्थः ↔ रोगी (healthy/sick). बलवान् ↔ दुर्बलः (strong/weak). उद्यमी ↔ आलसी (hard-working/lazy). शीघ्रम् ↔ धीरेण (quickly/slowly). प्रातः ↔ सायम् (morning/evening). आरम्भः ↔ अन्तः.
Cases (विभक्तयः): The lesson uses the instrumental case (तृतीया) in phrases like व्यायामेन शरीरं दृढं भवति (by exercise the body becomes strong), and the locative (सप्तमी) in स्वास्थ्ये सति सर्वं सुखम् (all happiness exists in health). Note the pattern "व्यायामेन ... भवति".
Verb forms (धातवः): Common verbs are करोति (does), भवति (becomes/is), लभते (gets), रक्षति (protects), भवन्ति (they become). The future tense (लृट्) is used in advice: करिष्यति, लप्स्यते. Practise converting present-tense sentences into the past (अकरोत्, अभवत्, अलभत) and future (करिष्यति, भविष्यति).
Compounds (समासाः): दिनान्तरे (daily), सर्वदा (always), उत्तमस्वास्थ्यम् (उत्तम + स्वास्थ्यम्). Understanding compounds helps in translation and sandhi questions.
व्यायामः सर्वदा पथ्यः teaches that health is the greatest wealth, and exercise is the best and simplest way to preserve it. Regular physical activity keeps the body strong, the mind fresh, and diseases away. The lesson connects health with duty — a student can study well only if his body and mind are fit. It also warns against laziness, which weakens both body and character. For students, the message is practical: play games, walk, run and exercise daily, eat a balanced diet, sleep well, and keep a cheerful mind. A healthy body is the foundation of a successful life.
| Benefit | Sanskrit Phrase | English |
|---|---|---|
| Strong body | बलवत् शरीरम् | The body becomes strong |
| Good digestion | सुखं पाचनम् | Food digests easily |
| Good appetite | उत्तमा क्षुधा | Appetite improves |
| Freedom from disease | रोगाः न भवन्ति | Diseases stay away |
| Fresh mind | प्रसन्नं मनः | The mind becomes cheerful |
| Peaceful sleep | सुष्ठु निद्रा | Sleep becomes peaceful |
| Working capacity | चिरं कार्यं कर्तुं शक्नोति | One can work long without fatigue |
| Rule | Meaning |
|---|---|
| नित्यं व्यायामः करणीयः | Exercise must be done daily |
| स्वबलेन अनुसारेण | According to one's own strength |
| प्रातःकाले शुचौ वायौ | In the morning, in pure air |
| व्यायामात् परं विश्रामः | Rest after exercise |
| संतुलितं भोजनम् | Balanced diet |
| Sanskrit | English |
|---|---|
| व्यायामः | exercise |
| पथ्यः | wholesome |
| स्वास्थ्यम् | health |
| आलस्यम् | laziness |
| बलम् | strength |
| रोगः | disease |
| विश्रामः | rest |
व्यायामः सर्वदा पथ्यः is a short, practical and inspiring lesson on the value of regular physical exercise. It compares the body to a machine that must be kept in use, and shows how daily exercise gives strength, appetite, good digestion, freedom from disease, a fresh mind and peaceful sleep. The lesson gives clear rules — exercise daily, according to one's own strength, in the open morning air, followed by rest and a balanced diet — and warns that laziness ruins health. The central message is that health is our greatest wealth and exercise is always wholesome for everyone. Students who learn the benefits, the rules, the word meanings, and the synonyms and opposites will easily answer both the comprehension and the grammar questions of this chapter.