This lesson is an essay (गद्यपाठ) on the importance of physical exercise. The word शारीरिकव्यायामः means "physical exercise" - शारीरिकः (relating to the body) + व्यायामः (exercise). Our body is a gift given by God, and like a machine it needs daily care and use to remain strong. The lesson explains that just as food and sleep are necessary for the body, exercise is equally necessary. It teaches us the many benefits of exercise - good health (स्वास्थ्यम्), strength (बलम्), a sharp mind, protection from diseases and a happy mood. It also gives us the rules of healthy exercise: exercise in the morning, in open air, regularly and in the right amount. The lesson inspires us to make exercise a part of our daily routine so that we can live a long, strong and happy life.
The lesson begins by saying that a sound mind lives in a sound body (स्वस्थ शरीरे एव स्वस्थ मनः). A person who is healthy can study well, work well and enjoy life fully. The essay then explains that exercise (व्यायामः) means moving the body through activities like running, playing, swimming, yogasana and sports. It tells us that exercise makes our muscles strong, our blood flow properly, our digestion good and our heart strong.
The lesson lists the benefits of exercise: it protects us from many diseases, keeps our weight right, makes us energetic throughout the day, improves our concentration and fills us with joy. Exercise in the morning in fresh air is the best, because the morning air is pure. The lesson also advises moderation - too much exercise is as bad as no exercise. It says we must choose the exercise according to our age and strength, and do it regularly (नित्यम्).
The essay also tells us that exercise is not only for the body but also for the mind. A person who exercises regularly feels fresh and happy, sleeps well and works with full energy. Games like kho-kho, kabaddi, football and swimming are excellent forms of exercise. The lesson ends by advising us to fix a time for exercise every day and follow it like a duty, because good health is the foundation of all success.
The essay teaches us that the body and the mind are not separate; they work together as one. A person who is healthy can concentrate better on studies, face problems with courage and enjoy the small pleasures of life, while a person who neglects the body often feels tired, dull and irritable. The Sanskrit saying स्वस्थ शरीरे एव स्वस्थ मनः, meaning "a sound mind lives only in a sound body," captures this idea perfectly. Exercise, the lesson tells us, is not an optional hobby for those who like sports; it is a daily duty for everyone, just like eating and sleeping. The rules it gives are practical and easy to follow - exercise in the morning, choose open and fresh air, keep the amount moderate, and be regular without fail.
There is also a wise warning in the lesson: too much exercise is as harmful as no exercise. A student who exercises for hours beyond his strength will feel exhausted and may injure himself, so the amount must suit one's age and physical capacity. The essay also reminds us that exercise is not limited to the gymnasium; running, swimming, playing kabaddi or kho-kho, and practising yogasanas or the sun salutation are all excellent forms of exercise. By fixing a regular time for exercise and following it like a duty, a student builds the discipline that leads to success in every field. In this way, the lesson connects physical health with mental growth and moral discipline, teaching us that caring for the body is one of the highest responsibilities of life.
| Sanskrit Word | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| शारीरिकः | relating to the body |
| व्यायामः | exercise |
| शरीरम् | body |
| स्वास्थ्यम् | health |
| बलम् | strength |
| रक्तम् | blood |
| पाचनम् | digestion |
| रोगः | disease |
| मनः | mind |
| प्रातः | in the morning |
| नित्यम् | daily, always |
| परिमितम् | limited, moderate |
| आहारः | food |
| क्रीडा | play, sports |
| योगासनम् | yogic posture |
| सूर्यनमस्कारः | sun salutation |
| ऊर्जा | energy |
| एकाग्रता | concentration |
| आनन्दः | joy, happiness |
| नियमः | rule, regularity |
| Vibhakti | Singular | Dual | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| प्रथमा | व्यायामः | व्यायामौ | व्यायामाः |
| द्वितीया | व्यायामम् | व्यायामौ | व्यायामान् |
| तृतीया | व्यायामेन | व्यायामाभ्याम् | व्यायामैः |
| षष्ठी | व्यायामस्य | व्यायामयोः | व्यायामानाम् |
| सप्तमी | व्यायामे | व्यायामयोः | व्यायामेषु |
| Vibhakti | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| प्रथमा | शरीरम् | शरीराणि |
| द्वितीया | शरीरम् | शरीराणि |
| तृतीया | शरीरेण | शरीरैः |
| षष्ठी | शरीरस्य | शरीराणाम् |
| सप्तमी | शरीरे | शरीरेषु |
शारीरिकव्यायामः is a compound of शारीरिकः (bodily) + व्यायामः (exercise), meaning physical exercise. Similarly, योगासनम् = योग + आसनम्, and सूर्यनमस्कारः = सूर्य + नमस्कारः.
Simple sentences help us use the vocabulary of this lesson correctly. छात्राः प्रातः व्यायामं कुर्वन्ति means "the students do exercise in the morning." वायुशुद्धे स्थाने व्यायामः कर्तव्यः means "exercise should be done in a place with pure air." व्यायामेन शरीरं बलवत्तरं भवति means "by exercise the body becomes stronger." नियमितेन व्यायामेन रोगाः दूरे तिष्ठन्ति means "with regular exercise, diseases stay away." परिमितं व्यायामं कुरु, अधिकं मा कुरु means "do moderate exercise, do not do too much." The motto of the whole lesson can be expressed as स्वास्थ्यं सर्वसिद्धीनां मूलम्, which means "health is the root of all achievements." Reading these sentences aloud, identifying the verb forms and matching each word with its meaning in the word list above will greatly improve the student's command of simple Sanskrit, and it will make the moral of the lesson easy to remember in examination answers.
| Benefit | Effect |
|---|---|
| बलम् | Strong muscles and heart |
| रक्तसंचारः | Better blood circulation |
| पाचनम् | Better digestion |
| रोगनिवारणम् | Protection from diseases |
| मनः | Fresh, happy and focused mind |
| निद्रा | Sound sleep |
| Rule | Advice |
|---|---|
| समयः | Exercise in the morning |
| स्थानम् | In fresh, open air |
| परिमाणम् | In the right amount - not too much |
| नियमितता | Regularly, every day |
| आहारः | Eat a balanced diet |
शारीरिकव्यायामः is an important lesson that reminds us of a truth we often forget - our body needs daily exercise. Exercise strengthens our muscles, improves our blood circulation and digestion, protects us from diseases, and keeps our mind fresh and happy. The lesson gives us simple rules: exercise in the morning in open air, do it regularly, and keep the amount moderate. Games like kabaddi and kho-kho, yogasanas and swimming are all wonderful forms of exercise. Grammar-wise, the chapter teaches the masculine noun व्यायामः and the neuter noun शरीरम्, along with compounds like शारीरिकव्यायामः. The greatest lesson of this chapter is that good health is the foundation of all success, so we must exercise every day and take care of the body that God has given us.