From the Archives of Yoga and Total Health Can You Learn From Him

Published in ‘Yoga and Total Health’ September 2001

- Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra

A stranger visited The Yoga Institute on one Saturday evening. In a casual conversation in the garden, he happened to mention that he regularly worked 18 hours even after retirement at the age of 61. The fact that he looked very healthy with no visible signs of work strain, prompted me to inquire about this past life which could have probably induced such a disciplined schedule today. At the end of our conversation, the seemingly healthy man revealed that he managed the 18 hours work schedule despite being a cancer patient.

The interesting man was Mr. P. C. Singhvi, who has his origin in Rajasthan. The father had squandered his wealth with no sustained income to support the family. Under such circumstances, the mother often went to sleep without food. While sitting on her lap he had tasted his mother’s tears falling on his lips as she uttered, three rules of conduct, which became the guiding principles of his life. These were:

1. not living on other people’s money

2. eating whatever one got naturally were