Advice to the Indian Aristocracy/Chapter 4
TIME.
Though we think very little about time, yet the flight of time is bringing all things to an end. Our Earth, the Sun, the Moon, all the stars, and the planets must, in the course of countless years, come to an end. As hundreds of millions of years have rolled away since Creation began, and as it is impossible for a human being to say when it began, the Hindu Sastras say there is no beginning of creation. According to Hindu Chronology the present year is the five thousand and fifth year of Kali Yuga, the fourth and last Yuga.
Krita Yuga is said to have lasted one million seven hundred and twenty-eight thousand years; the second, Treta Yuga, one million two hundred and ninety-six thousand years; the third, Dwapara Yuga, eight hundred and sixty-four thousand years, and the present one, Kali Yuga, is to last four hundred and thirty-two thousand years, of which five thousand and five years have already passed.
Though these periods are enormous ones, yet the span of human life is very short. In this short period we cannot do much either in youth or mature age. We must always devote our time profitably for our minds and bodies, as well as advantageously and usefully for others and also for our country. Time, since for man it is so short, should be precious. Everything must come to an end in course of time. Then why should we not make the best use of the short time allotted to us? We should not only not lose it in idleness, but should turn it to the best advantage by having a fixed and determinate time for all we have to do. If any one does not have a fixed time for each of his duties, he is certain to waste the time. Whatever you do, it should have its allotted time. I know many Zamindars and other men of wealth who devote their time entirely to one or two pursuits and unconcernedly neglect the business of their estates. Some devote their time entirely to sports or to music, or to prayers. I don't in the least object to their devotion to the above recreations; but a man should attend to the several particulars of duty which he has to perform for the benefit of himself as well as for others. First of all we must consider and do all that lies in our power to keep our body in good health; because if our health fails, we cannot do anything at all. To keep our body in health, we require regular bodily exercise. For bodily exercise mornings and evenings are the proper times in India. Therefore rise early in the morning, anyhow before sunrise; take a cup of tea or coffee or some other light refreshment, and go out for exercise, walking, riding, playing, hunting, or shooting. You may be out doing one of these till 9 o'clock or so. Then take your bath, pray to God, or worship your family God if there is one in the house, and take your breakfast. After breakfast and before noon, attend to your urgent work, open your letter bag, receive visitors and spend your time in the company of Pandits, your relatives and friends. It is always a very good thing to spend some time with learned Pandits. Even when they speak on common topics, they give them a religious and moral turn.
Then retire for a while. Though Europeans object much to sleeping in the day-time, yet I think that a short nap for an hour or so does not do any harm in this country. If you do not like to sleep in the day, spend that time in the company of the members of your family. After your short retirement, attend to your office work from 2 or 2-30 p.m., to 4-30 or 5 p.m. Three hours are not quite necessary for office work every day, but at intervals you can read any books or write letters to friends. In the evening go out again riding or driving, or play at tennis, rackets, golf, or any other game. Return home before it gets dark, and take your dinner at an early hour. After meals or before, you can devote your time to music and such other pleasant pursuits and then retire. You must go to bed before 11 o'clock at the latest. A good unbroken sleep is always good for the body and the mind. You will be quite fresh again by the early morning.
Punctuality is one of the best moral and social principles that a person should acquire. If you have children, see them and enquire about them both morning and evening just before you go out.