We want purity—pure food, pure water, pure air. We long for pure surroundings. We yearn for pure heart and pure love. We prefer pure environment and pure society. We are fond of purity because purity promotes health. Impurities are injurious to health. Purity provides peace of mind. Impurities impair the mind. Both for bodily health and mental health, we need purity. We do require environmental purity for overall health.Purity of body is physical health. Purity of speech is unsullied truth. Purity of heart is unselfish love. Purity of thought is righteous reason. Purity of mind is wholesome peace. Purity of action is sincere and unselfish service. Purity of society is harmonious unity. Purity of environment is soul-elevating serenity.In the Mahabharata, there is an interesting episode to illustrate the nature of purity. The Pandavas and Kauravas were Drona’s disciples. They were once summoned by the preceptor Drona for a test. The eldest of the Pandavas, Yudhishthira was asked to bring one bad person from society. The eldest of the Kauravas, Duryodhana, was asked to fetch one good person from the same society in Hastinapura. After a thorough search, both the cousins returned empty-handed. The pure-minded Yudhishthira found everyone to be pious and pure. The impure mind of Duryodhana found everyone to be evil and impure. As in the mind, so is the vision.Purity of mind makes our vision, words and deeds pure. It has also the power to purify people. Evil has no place in the presence of purity. Nor can it face purity, as darkness cannot face the sun. It only gets changed into purity. Fools who come to scoff remain to pray in the presence of purity. Villains who come to harm stand in adoration in the presence of purity. Murderers become votaries of peace in the presence of purity.1. Why are we fond of purities?2. What is the purity of body, speech and heart?3. What is the purity of thought, mind and action?4. Why did both the cousins return empty-handed?5. Who was Drona?6. What changes are noticed in villains and murderers in the presence of purity?7. How can you say that the author is thoughtful about the environment?8. Write from the passage the words that have the following meanings :(i) long for something(ii) persons who worship or love something.