Embrace Age*– *Awaken Within*

🌿 Poetic Prelude

Seasons turn the wheel of nature,

New hues and fragrances they scatter.

At times leaves and blossoms, at times a fall,

And at times, winter’s silent call. 🌿

In childhood, the spark of zeal,

That itself is the brahmacharya ideal.

In the bustle of duties, steadfast and fast,

The trust and anchor of the grihastha past.

Gently turning to look behind,

Recalling nectar of memories in mind.

Vanaprastha lights a quiet new way,

Peaceful contentment holds its sway. 🌿

At last all turns to detachment deep,

The heart in silent dialogue keep.

The resonance of sannyasa fills the sky,

Self-awareness a gift that never will die. 🌿

“How can you call me aunty? Do I look like your uncle?” — such words are often heard. Aging is a natural law, but the mind resists accepting it. The inner spirit lingers in youth, while the body changes and identities shift. This disharmony breeds unrest. In truth, denying change is meaningless; embracing change with a smile is where life’s true beauty lies.

The law of nature is change. The sun rises and sets. Buds bloom, leaves fall, and merge with the soil again. Summer, monsoon, and winter come and go. Ganesh Chaturthi teaches the same. The Ganesha idol, born of clay, brightens homes for ten days and then returns to clay. The message is clear — celebrate arrival and companionship with joy, but embrace farewell with peace.

When age is denied, tensions rise. Words like “uncle” or “aunty” spark irritation. Wrinkles and grey hairs in the mirror cause unrest. But in denying change, one misses the unique beauty of each stage. Every age has its own charm, and its own joy.

The body is a marvelous creation of nature, yet it changes with age. Adventures of youth can become risky in later years. Adventure must continue, but at the level suited to age. Mountain climbing in youth, but walking pilgrimages, light treks or yoga in elderhood. Metabolism slows, bones and muscles weaken, sleep patterns change. Ignoring this invites diabetes, heart disease, and chronic pains. But the greatest risk is mental inactivity. Many elders think: “Now we have nothing left to do.” This mindset harms the brain, weakens memory, accelerates dementia, and creates physical ailments. The only remedy is activity — walking, yoga, light exercise, reading, writing, learning new things, social connection, and service. True wisdom is living actively while respecting age.

Our sages recognized this law of change and divided life into four stages: brahmacharya (learning and discipline), grihastha (responsibility and family), vanaprastha (gradual withdrawal and service), and sannyasa (detachment and self-realization). These are not just ancient notions, but practical even today. One need not leave home; each stage can be lived fully within family.

In this journey, the role of elders is vital. Sadguru Shri Wamanrao Pai said, “Elders in the family should live like guests.” A guest does not impose, does not demand, but brings warmth and is honored with respect. Likewise elders must be in the family. Sadguru also taught: “Insistence and expectations are the inauspicious planets in a family’s horoscope.” If elders let go of these, harmony and respect prevail. But the responsibility is not only theirs. Younger generations must also honor the changes in elders — respect their capacities, learn from their wisdom, and give them rest when they tire. True wisdom comes when the individual understands their age, and the family too understands them.

The role of elders should be like salt. Food without salt is tasteless; with too much salt, it is ruined. So too with elders. In the right measure, their presence, guidance and wisdom add flavor and strength to family life. Excess of demands or control spoils harmony. Salt is not seen, but it is always felt. Likewise, elders may not always be visible, but their presence brings stability, support and warmth to the family.

Life’s stages are like seasons. Youth bursts with energy, adulthood with responsibility, vanaprastha with reflection, and sannyasa with self-discovery. Ganesh Chaturthi symbolizes this beautifully. For ten days, Ganesha fills our homes with joy. And at visarjan, though tears brim in eyes, we bid him farewell with a smile, knowing he will return again.

🌿 Ganesh returns from clay,

Ten days of joy along the way.

Back to the soil, again he blends,

Nature’s law — to which all life bends. 🌿

As Ganesha comes and goes,

So too life’s rhythm flows.

Chant “Ganapati Bappa Morya” with cheer,

And farewell too becomes bright and clear.

🌿 Aging is nature’s law. Life becomes complete not by denying it, but by embracing it. When accepted with joy, every stage shines like a season — childhood’s curiosity, youth’s zeal, adulthood’s responsibility, elderhood’s peace.

Elders must be like guests and like salt — present with love, but without insistence or expectation. Younger generations must honor them, and families must understand each other. Ganesh Chaturthi reminds us: let arrival be joyful, togetherness vibrant, and farewell peaceful.

🌸 *Embrace Age – Awaken Within.*🌸

✍️ A reflective essay by

*Jayant Joshi*