Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.27.19
Nirodha· Winding upUnwanted Old Age Still Arrives
“My dear King Prācīnabarhiṣat, at this time the daughter of formidable Time was seeking her husband throughout the three worlds. Although no one agreed to accept her, she came.”
What the purport teaches
- The daughter of Time represents jarā, the suffering and invalidity of old age. Although no one welcomes her, she still comes.
- Birth, old age, disease and death are the four basic kinds of suffering. No scientist or philosopher has been able to solve these conditions.
- No one wants to become old and invalid, but this is inevitable. Disliking old age does not prevent its arrival.
Try this today
Spend one quiet minute acknowledging old age as a reality to face, rather than something to ignore.
Ask yourself
How does accepting the reality of old age change my view of present bodily strength?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.