A Jain Folk Tale

There was a prince who was besotted with his own beauty. If any traveler came to the palace he would ask him:"Have you ever seen anyone as handsome as me?" No one ever had. One day an obsequious traveler said to him: "I don't think there could be anyone in the whole world as good-looking as you. I don't think even a god could be as handsome."
This made the prince very happy and he went around telling everyone that he was more handsome than any god.
One day he had two visitors who identified themselves as gods.
"We have come to see if you are as handsome as you claim," they explained.
"Aren't I?" he asked.
"We visited you earlier in the day when you were asleep," said one of the gods. "You were more handsome then."
"How could my looks decline within a few hours?" said the prince. He turned to his servants.
"Did I look better in the morning?" he inquired.
"You looked the same," said his servants.
"We are gods," said one of the visitors. "We can see what your servants cannot. Their vision is imperfect and we'll prove it to you. Bring a bowl of water."
A bowl of water was brought. The god asked the servants to study it closely and then leave the room. When they were gone, he removed half a spoonful of water from the bowl. Then the servants were called back in.
"Is there any change in the bowl of water?" asked the god.
"None," said the servants.
"They cannot see that the water has diminished," said the god, "just as they cannot see that your beauty has deteriorated."
The prince was shaken. He thought : "My beauty is diminishing by the day. It is short-lived. Why am I besotted by something so fleeting? I should concern myself with that which is eternal."
He never again looked into a mirror and in course of time renounced his throne and became a monk.

Dadi Maa Cures Cold, Cough and Flu

Cold & Flu

• Have chicken or any other mildly spiced soup.
• Have some Tulsi (basil) leaves with honey at bedtime, but without water.

Common Cold (for adults)

• Mix 2 teaspoons of garlic oil (lasan ka tel) with 1 teaspoon onion juice, dilute it with water and have it 2-3 times a day.
• Make a cup of tea with ginger (adrak), clove (lavang), bay leaves (tej-patta), black pepper (kali mirch), sweeten with honey and have it 2-3 times a day.

Common Cold (for children)

• For dry and stuffy nose, mix 1/4 teaspoon table salt with 4ml lukewarm water and instill 1-2 drops of this nasal solution 3-4 times a day.
  DO NOT USE MEDICATED NASAL DROPS WITHOUT A PHYSICIAN'S CONSENT AS EXCESSIVE USE CAN CAUSE CHEMICAL RHINITIS WITH REBOUND BLOCK.

Cough (for adults)

• Mix 1 teaspoon of honey and garlic juice with a few drops of brandy and have it 3-4 times a day.
• Put 3-4 peeled and chopped buds of garlic in 1 bottle brandy and keep aside in a closet for 2 weeks and have several drops at the time of severe cough.
• Chew cardamom, close and whole black pepper for a long time.
  

Cough (for children)

• Mix 1 cup of black grape juice with 1 tablespoon of honey and have it twice a day.
• Mix 1 teaspoon of sugar with 1 teaspoon of butter and have the mixture.
• Sprinkle few drops of camphor water on a cloth and place it near the mouth of the child. This provides uninterrupted and pleasant sleep at night.
• Roast 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder (haldi) and mix it with 1/2 teaspoon of raw turmeric powder (haldi) and 1 teaspoon of honey. Have this mixture before going to bed. Avoid drinking or eating after it. DO NOT EVER HAVE THIS MIXTURE WITH MILK.

WARNING: This information should not be used as a substitute for sound medical advice from a doctor. These remedies must not be practiced by patients, suffering from diseases as diabetes, cancer etc. or during certain body-stages as pregnancy etc. The results may vary from person to person. Radio Brisvaani or any of its sister concerns will not be responsible for any type of side effects of these remedies. The users need not contact the owners regarding any type of side effects. Consult the doctor before using these tips in case the person is infected from the problem since a long time. Do NOT use these remedies on a person already infected from any other ailment.