Pandit Sudhakar Chaturvedi, aged 118 years old at the time of writing, says that his secret of longevity is laughter, a vegetarian diet, a passion for the Vedas, and vitamin tablets. The centenarian is enthusiastic, fun-loving, active, lively, and sprightly. He walks with the help of a walking stick and has a zest for life that can inspire even the worst of pessimists.
Born in 1897 in Bangalore, Panditji’s parents sent him to a gurukul at Kangadi in Haridwar when he was only eight years old. Later, Panditji became a freedom fighter and scholar. Since he was closely associated with Gandhiji, he earned the nickname “Postman to Gandhi.” He was an active participant in the Jallianwallah Bagh protests, went to jail more than 31 times during the freedom struggle, and later joined the Arya Samaj.
Today, he is devoted to spreading the light of the Vedas all over the world. He conducts weekly Veda classes and writes for magazines. He enjoys solving problems, socializing, and the Vedas. In fact, his love for the Vedas has earned him the title of “Chaturvedi.”
Panditji works eight hours a day. His day commences at 3:30 a.m. with the reading of the Darshans and the Upanishads. He meditates for two hours daily. He reads magazines and newspapers in English, Kannada, and Hindi and discusses the latest news with visitors.
Although Panditji never got married, he adopted a son. He now lives in Jayanagar with his grand children. He gets a regular health check up, but has never gotten admitted into a hospital. He practices Yoga regularly and eats lesser than he desires.
Panditji, who has witnessed the events of the 19th, 20th, and 21st century, feels hat each century has its own advantages and disadvantages.
0 comments:
Post a Comment