looking after the wife, if need be,
are to be handed over to the sons.
There are other aspects of life
during this stage which are very
much valid even today:
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lastly, to renounce all the worldly
activities, take sayaas and spend
the remaining life in pursuit of
Self-Realization.
Each of the aashrams has its own
dharma or duties to be followed.
According to Manu Smriti,
interestingly, besides raising
and looking after the family, the
house-holder is expected to
perform great sacrifices such as:
During the Vaanprastha
(the retired life) stage of life,
according to the Manu Smriti,
the above five sacrifices are
to be continued. Most of the
responsibilities, even that of
All these and others, slowly but
steadily, would develop towards
righteousness and other humane
qualities which should become
natural as the years pass by.
Though it is generally true
that one has to pass from one
aashram to the other, it is further
said that the moment a person
acquires complete detachment,
he should leave his home and
all belongings at once and walk
out towards the forests and take
sanyasa. However, a married
person is not allowed to take
sanyasa without taking proper
consent of his wife. Moreover,
one should not take sanyasa due
to annoyance from the worldly
botheration. All cannot attain
perfection. Therefore, one should
live a devout and non-attached
life and work according to his
capacity for spiritual progress.
Changes Associated With
Ageing
There is often a general physical
decline, and people become
less active. Old age can cause,
amongst other things:
• wrinkles and liver spots on the
skin
What worries doctors about senior
citizens is not so much falls as
inactivity. Senior citizens who
do not get any physical exercise,
slowly but steadily lose their
muscle strength. Sometimes they
become bed-ridden because they
did not exercise their limbs.
It is crystal clear that the body
does become weak. Small or
large ailments will remain. If you
continuously complain about
them, then the ones who are
looking after you will eventually
get tired, and, at times, even
your genuine complaint will get
disregarded. However, it does
not mean that you don’t speak
about your illness or difficulty,
but the time and situation of
the other person have also to
be considered – and to take
care of not giving an overdose of
complaints.
For the safety in old age, make
an organised plan of your life-
time savings and property.
Consult a financial advisor for
appropriate investment so that
there is a regular income and
you do not have to be dependant,
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(a) to learn and teach Holy
Scriptures, (b) to satisfy the
ancestors, (c) to perform Vedic
sacrifices, (d) to offer eatables
to animals, birds and other
creatures and (e) to perform
devout service to mankind
– especially to guests. In the
service to mankind (e), the
seeds of samaj sewa have been
planted!
To live on simple food or fruit
To wear simple clothes
To live a simple life
To keep control over mind and
senses at all costs
To keep balance of mind in all
conditions
To practice friendly behaviour
towards all
To meditate on God
To offer daily things easily
available in charity
To avoid taking charities for
oneself
To be kind to all living beings
To be particular about the
sacrifices, penances and other
Vrats
To strictly observe the rules of
chastity
• changes to hair colour to grey or
white
• hair loss
• reduced circulatory system
functions and blood flow
• reduced lung capacity and
immune system function
• changes in the vocal cords
producing the typical “old
person” voice
• heightened risk for injury from
falls
• hearing loss
• diminished eyesight
• reduced mental and cognitive
ability
• depressed mood
• memory loss is common
• behavioural changes
(wandering, physical
aggression, verbal outburst)
• lessening or cessation of sex
• changes in sleeping patterns
It must be noted that each
individual is different, and health
issues that affect one elderly
person may not affect another.