---------- Forwarded message --------- From: N Sekar <[email protected]> Date: Tue, Nov 11, 2025, 2:27 PM Subject: Re: Fwd - On getting old To: Rangarajan T.N.C. <[email protected]>, Narayanaswamy Sekar < [email protected]>, Suryanarayana Ambadipudi <[email protected]>, Chittanandam V. R. <[email protected]>, Mathangi K. Kumar < [email protected]>, Mani APS <[email protected]>, Rama (Iyer 123 Group) <[email protected]>, Srinivasan Sridharan < [email protected]>, Surendra Varma <[email protected]>
Thank you. Excellent message. But not all old people develop detachment; some, or should i say many or most, develop even more attachment, for example, to their grand children. They develop worries and anxieties about how their wealth will be used afterwards etc. Mundane worries as compared to what is stated in your beautiful message. Wisdom and Detachment do not necessarily accompany old age. Adi Sankara gave Advaida and he did not cross 32. Vivekananda did not see 40. We see so many OLD politicians amongst us, who for the sake of power, will sell this country. While it is a beautiful message, it may not be true in all cases. In fact I will venture to say it is true only in rare cases. Another interpretation of old age is long life. But I repeat, it is a beautiful message even if I don't agree with it 100%. N Sekar Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer <https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=US_Acquisition_YMktg_315_SearchOrgConquer_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=US_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100002039&af_sub5=C01_Email_Static_&af_ios_store_cpp=0c38e4b0-a27e-40f9-a211-f4e2de32ab91&af_android_url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yahoo.mobile.client.android.mail&listing=search_organize_conquer> On Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 1:05 PM, Rangarajan T.N.C. <[email protected]> wrote: In the sacred Sri Rudram of the Yajur Veda, there is a section called Chamakam. Hidden within its rhythmic chants lies a curious prayer: “Vr̥dham cha me, vr̥dhiś cha me” — “Grant me growth, and grant me old age.” At first, it sounds strange. To ask for growth makes sense — but why ask for old age? Why invite what most people fear? The answer lies in its spiritual wisdom. The seeker, who cannot easily free himself from the web of desires and pleasures, is praying not for more life, but for liberation from it — for that sacred stage of mind where longing ends, where the restless heart finds stillness. Among countless worldly wishes, he places one rare, luminous request: “Grant me the blessing of old age — the age that brings detachment.” Perhaps, in no other faith, has any devotee asked a god for such a mature, profound gift — not wealth, not power, not youth — but the quiet grace of aging. It is as if he is saying: “O Lord, this mind of mine is a monkey — leaping, chattering, never still. You may have to satisfy its whims; there is no avoiding that. But someday, please bless me with the strength, serenity, and age to let go of every whim. Grant me old age.” Old age is not a curse; it is a destination — a station that everyone reaches, whether they wish to or not. It is the shaded rest house at life’s end, where one lays down the baggage of ambition, and gently revisits the faded memories of youth. Old age is also a gift — a time to look back and smile at past mistakes, to take pride in the obstacles once overcome, and to breathe a peaceful sigh, knowing there are no more mountains to climb. Old age walks a step behind one’s son, leans softly on a granddaughter’s shoulder, and learns to make peace with truths that life refused to bend. When the son says, “You don’t understand, Dad,” there is no anger anymore. The old man smiles — for he knows that his son, too, must someday trade his ignorance for wisdom. He does not feel hurt when the young say, “You won’t understand.” Instead, he feels proud — that a generation has grown confident enough to question him. He understands, quietly and completely. When his wife says gently, “Let him do what he thinks is right,” he bows his head in calm agreement. Criticism no longer stings; insults no longer burn. For the one who has walked the full circle of life finds peace in simply being. Old age earns respect — not for the achievements of youth, but for the grace of endurance, for the wisdom that time alone can bestow. It is not the end. It is the summit — the final, serene height from which life looks beautifully complete.. — Sri Gollapudi Maruti Rao (Translated and Adapted in English) On Sunday, 9 November 2025 at 11:08:36 pm IST, N Sekar <[email protected]> wrote: Thought for the day !! Question: I am scared about getting old . what if I become a burden to others? What we often hear : “These days, I feel like I am slowing down. I forget things, get tired easily, can’t do what I used to. Children are busy with their lives . I don’t want to trouble anyone. Sometimes I wonder what if I fall sick? Who will take care of me? I don’t want to become a burden. I get scared when I see a few of my friends of my age leaving this world after illness” How often this worry sits quietly in our minds , not spoken, but always present, especially at night. Our saints remind us gently growing old is not a fall, it is a return. When the body slows, the soul finally gets space to rest. When the outer roles fade as a parent, worker, caretaker while the inner role begins: being a child of God again. Just like the moon looks smaller after full moon, but still carries the same light, aging only removes the noise, not the worth. God doesn’t see wrinkles, He sees devotion. Once, an old devotee came to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and said tearfully, “Swami, I can no longer sit long for meditation. I forget mantras. I feel useless.” Ramakrishna smiled and said, “When a child learns to walk, the mother holds its hand. When the child grows tired, the mother carries it. So too ,when your strength fades, let God carry you.” That is the essence of spiritual aging , it is not losing control, it is learning to be carried by faith. When your hands tremble and you can’t do long pooja, just whisper His name ,that one word is enough. When your eyes can’t read the shloka, listen to bhajans . He hears your heart, not your pronunciation. When you can’t fast or climb the temple steps, offer your smile, your kindness, your forgiveness. A quiet heart is the highest offering. Think of an old veena ,maybe the strings are worn, but the music it carries is deeper, softer, full of bhava.That is how a life of prayer sounds in old age. Saint Purandara Dasa sang: “When we can’t carry life by our strength, He comes to carry us by His grace. Saint Meera said “When all have left, my Giridhari stays.”That’s the quiet faith that sustains old age , the company that never leaves. Don’t fear becoming a burden. God is quietly shifting you from doing to being. You cared for others all your life , now let Him care for you. Dependence is not weakness; it’s divine surrender. Thought for the day When your body grows weak, let your faith grow strong. The hands that once held others are now held by Him. Dhanyosmi 🙇♂️🙏 Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer <https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=US_Acquisition_YMktg_315_SearchOrgConquer_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=US_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100002039&af_sub5=C01_Email_Static_&af_ios_store_cpp=0c38e4b0-a27e-40f9-a211-f4e2de32ab91&af_android_url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yahoo.mobile.client.android.mail&listing=search_organize_conquer> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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