hippocampal (ST)

This is an extremely morose approach to life, for just languishing, often in seclusion, is definitely not what nature expects from man. Ageing is a natural phenomenon and must be embraced rather than treated like an ailment. As a person ages, his body weakens physically but usually, not his mind. Even the argument of lack of physical strength does not hold good in today’s tech-savvy world. An old person may, of course, be unable to run up and down a flight of steps but he can still use a lift or an escalator /elevator to reach his destination. Similarly, a person may lose his vision but, with the support of technology, he can still continue to enjoy his favourite books. Physical limitation is no longer a disabling aspect of life – all one needs is a developed mind and the capacity to think and learn anew.

In old age, a man’s experience, knowledge and maturity increase, offering him multifaceted ways to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. This view was endorsed in a study that found that in old age, the mind continues to produce as many neurons as it did at an earlier age. Says a report in The Times of India of April 7, 2018, “The findings suggest that many senior citizens remain more cognitively and emotionally intact than commonly believed, said Maura Boldrini, an associate professor at Columbia University in the US. ‘We found that older people have a similar ability to make thousands of hippocampal new neurons from progenitor cells as younger people do.’”

In other words, as one ages, one’s mind becomes more competent as a result of the production of brain cells coupled with years of wisdom and experience.

Ageing is not the beginning of a countdown, but is rather, the time for a count-up. The world can benefit greatly from the planning skills and wisdom of the aged. This is, in fact, nature’s way of enabling man to pass on his wisdom to succeeding generations.

Longevity and old age are often spoken of in the same breath. But here the emphasis is misplaced. The key aspect of old age is maturity, not longevity. An old person develops mature thinking by experiencing the vicissitudes of life. This not only enhances his knowledge but makes him a prolific source of guidance and advice. Succeeding generations are always in need of this unique gift from nature so that they may plan a way forward. All major developments have taken place in the world by people ‘standing on the shoulders of their predecessors’. It is time to actively acknowledge the contribution that senior citizens can make to society at large and to bring them into the mainstream so that they may uphold the veracity of the old adage – ‘old is gold.’

It is widely held that once individuals become old, it is time to spend their remaining years in withdrawal or retirement, as their overall capabilities diminish and they are no longer capable of discharging their former responsibilities. It is for this reason that as people age, they begin to lose hope and then so many elderly people are relegated to lead lives of despair and helplessness, sometimes in old age homes. The best-selling Colombian author, Gabriel García Márquez observed in his book, One Hundred Years of Solitude, “The secret of a good old age is simply an honorable pact with solitude.”
A massive study in America found that the *most productive age in a man's life is 60 - 70* and from 70 - 80 is the 2nd most productive season. The 3rd most productive season is 50 - 60.

The average age of a Nobel Prize winner is 62. The average age of a CEO in a Fortune 500 company is 62. The average age of the pastors of the 100 biggest churches in America is 60. 

This tells us somehow *God has designed that the best years of your life are between 60 - 70!* It is when you do your best work.  A university study found that at 60 you reach your peak of potential. 

*So, if you are between 60 - 70, these are the best years of your life!*

Hiranyavarineem.

हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम् ।
चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह ॥१॥Hirannya-Varnnaam Harinniim Suvarnna-Rajata-Srajaam |
Candraam Hirannmayiim Lakssmiim Jaatavedo Ma Aavaha ||1||

तां म आवह जातवेदो लक्ष्मीमनपगामिनीम् ।
यस्यां हिरण्यं विन्देयं गामश्वं पुरुषानहम् ॥२॥ Taam Ma Aavaha Jaatavedo Lakssmiim-Anapagaaminiim |
Yasyaam Hirannyam Vindeyam Gaam-Ashvam Purussaan-Aham ||2||

अश्वपूर्वां रथमध्यां हस्तिनादप्रबोधिनीम् ।
श्रियं देवीमुपह्वये श्रीर्मा देवी जुषताम् ॥३॥Ashva-Puurvaam Ratha-Madhyaam Hastinaada-Prabodhiniim |
Shriyam Deviim-Upahvaye Shriirmaa Devii Jussataam ||3||

कां सोस्मितां हिरण्यप्राकारामार्द्रां ज्वलन्तीं तृप्तां तर्पयन्तीम् ।
पद्मे स्थितां पद्मवर्णां तामिहोपह्वये श्रियम् ॥४॥Kaam So-Smitaam Hirannya-Praakaaraam-Aardraam Jvalantiim Trptaam Tarpayantiim |
Padme Sthitaam Padma-Varnnaam Taam-Iho[a-u]pahvaye Shriyam ||4|

चन्द्रां प्रभासां यशसा ज्वलन्तीं श्रियं लोके देवजुष्टामुदाराम् ।
तां पद्मिनीमीं शरणमहं प्रपद्येऽलक्ष्मीर्मे नश्यतां त्वां वृणे ॥५॥Candraam Prabhaasaam Yashasaa Jvalantiim Shriyam Loke Deva-Jussttaam-Udaaraam |
Taam Padminiim-Iim Sharannam-Aham Prapadye-[A]lakssmiir-Me Nashyataam Tvaam Vrnne ||5|

आदित्यवर्णे तपसोऽधिजातो वनस्पतिस्तव वृक्षोऽथ बिल्वः ।
तस्य फलानि तपसानुदन्तु मायान्तरायाश्च बाह्या अलक्ष्मीः ॥६॥Aaditya-Varnne Tapaso[a-A]dhi-Jaato Vanaspatis-Tava Vrksso[ah-A]tha Bilvah |
Tasya Phalaani Tapasaa-Nudantu Maaya-Antaraayaashca Baahyaa Alakssmiih ||6||

उपैतु मां देवसखः कीर्तिश्च मणिना सह ।
प्रादुर्भूतोऽस्मि राष्ट्रेऽस्मिन् कीर्तिमृद्धिं ददातु मे ॥७॥Upaitu Maam Deva-Sakhah Kiirtish-Ca Manninaa Saha |
Praadurbhuuto[ah-A]smi Raassttre-[A]smin Kiirtim-Rddhim Dadaatu Me ||7|

क्षुत्पिपासामलां ज्येष्ठामलक्ष्मीं नाशयाम्यहम् ।
अभूतिमसमृद्धिं च सर्वां निर्णुद मे गृहात् ॥८॥Kssut-Pipaasaa-Malaam Jyesstthaam-Alakssmiim Naashayaamy-Aham |
Abhuutim-Asamrddhim Ca Sarvaam Nirnnuda Me Grhaat ||8||

गन्धद्वारां दुराधर्षां नित्यपुष्टां करीषिणीम् ।
ईश्वरींग् सर्वभूतानां तामिहोपह्वये श्रियम् ॥९॥Gandha-Dvaaraam Duraadharssaam Nitya-Pussttaam Kariissinniim |
Iishvariing Sarva-Bhuutaanaam Taam-Iho[a-u]pahvaye Shriyam ||9||

मनसः काममाकूतिं वाचः सत्यमशीमहि ।
पशूनां रूपमन्नस्य मयि श्रीः श्रयतां यशः ॥१०॥ Manasah Kaamam-Aakuutim Vaacah Satyam-Ashiimahi |
Pashuunaam Ruupam-Annasya Mayi Shriih Shrayataam Yashah ||10||

कर्दमेन प्रजाभूता मयि सम्भव कर्दम ।
श्रियं वासय मे कुले मातरं पद्ममालिनीम् ॥११॥Kardamena Prajaa-Bhuutaa Mayi Sambhava Kardama |
Shriyam Vaasaya Me Kule Maataram Padma-Maaliniim ||11||

आपः सृजन्तु स्निग्धानि चिक्लीत वस मे गृहे ।
नि च देवीं मातरं श्रियं वासय मे कुले ॥१२॥Aapah Srjantu Snigdhaani Cikliita Vasa Me Grhe |
Ni Ca Deviim Maataram Shriyam Vaasaya Me Kule ||12||

आर्द्रां पुष्करिणीं पुष्टिं पिङ्गलां पद्ममालिनीम् ।
चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह ॥१३॥Aardraam Pusskarinniim Pussttim Pinggalaam Padma-Maaliniim |
Candraam Hirannmayiim Lakssmiim Jaatavedo Ma Aavaha ||13||

आर्द्रां यः करिणीं यष्टिं सुवर्णां हेममालिनीम् ।
सूर्यां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह ॥१४॥Aardraam Yah Karinniim Yassttim Suvarnnaam Hema-Maaliniim |
Suuryaam Hirannmayiim Lakssmiim Jaatavedo Ma Aavaha ||14||

तां म आवह जातवेदो लक्ष्मीमनपगामिनीम् ।
यस्यां हिरण्यं प्रभूतं गावो दास्योऽश्वान् विन्देयं पूरुषानहम् ॥१५॥Taam Ma Aavaha Jaatavedo Lakssmiim-Anapagaaminiim |
Yasyaam Hirannyam Prabhuutam Gaavo Daasyo-[A]shvaan Vindeyam Puurussaan-Aham ||15||

यः शुचिः प्रयतो भूत्वा जुहुयादाज्यमन्वहम् ।
सूक्तं पञ्चदशर्चं च श्रीकामः सततं जपेत् ॥१६॥Yah Shucih Prayato Bhuutvaa Juhu-Yaad-Aajyam-Anvaham |
Suuktam Pan.cadasharcam Ca Shriikaamah Satatam Japet ||16||

पद्मानने पद्म ऊरु पद्माक्षी पद्मासम्भवे ।
त्वं मां भजस्व पद्माक्षी येन सौख्यं लभाम्यहम् ॥१७॥Padma-[A]anane Padma Uuru Padma-Akssii Padmaa-Sambhave |
Tvam Maam Bhajasva Padma-Akssii Yena Saukhyam Labhaamy[i]-Aham ||17||

अश्वदायि गोदायि धनदायि महाधने ।
धनं मे जुषतां देवि सर्वकामांश्च देहि मे ॥१८॥Ashva-Daayi Go-Daayi Dhana-Daayi Mahaa-Dhane |
Dhanam Me Jussataam Devi Sarva-Kaamaamsh-Ca Dehi Me ||18||

पुत्रपौत्र धनं धान्यं हस्त्यश्वादिगवे रथम् ।
प्रजानां भवसि माता आयुष्मन्तं करोतु माम् ॥१९॥Putra-Pautra Dhanam Dhaanyam Hasty-Ashva-[A]adi-Gave Ratham |
Prajaanaam Bhavasi Maataa Aayussmantam Karotu Maam ||19||

धनमग्निर्धनं वायुर्धनं सूर्यो धनं वसुः ।
धनमिन्द्रो बृहस्पतिर्वरुणं धनमश्नुते ॥२०॥Dhanam-Agnir-Dhanam Vaayur-Dhanam Suuryo Dhanam Vasuh |
Dhanam-Indro Brhaspatir-Varunnam Dhanam-Ashnute ||20||

वैनतेय सोमं पिब सोमं पिबतु वृत्रहा ।
सोमं धनस्य सोमिनो मह्यं ददातु सोमिनः ॥२१॥Vainateya Somam Piba Somam Pibatu Vrtrahaa |
Somam Dhanasya Somino Mahyam Dadaatu Sominah ||21||

न क्रोधो न च मात्सर्य न लोभो नाशुभा मतिः ।
भवन्ति कृतपुण्यानां भक्तानां श्रीसूक्तं जपेत्सदा ॥२२॥Na Krodho Na Ca Maatsarya Na Lobho Na-Ashubhaa Matih |
Bhavanti Krtapunnyaanaam Bhaktaanaam Shriisuuktam Japet-Sadaa ||22||

वर्षन्तु ते विभावरि दिवो अभ्रस्य विद्युतः ।
रोहन्तु सर्वबीजान्यव ब्रह्म द्विषो जहि ॥२३॥Varssantu Te Vibhaavari Divo Abhrasya Vidyutah |
Rohantu Sarva-Biija-Anyava Brahma Dvisso Jahi ||23||

पद्मप्रिये पद्मिनि पद्महस्ते पद्मालये पद्मदलायताक्षि ।
विश्वप्रिये विष्णु मनोऽनुकूले त्वत्पादपद्मं मयि सन्निधत्स्व ॥२४॥Padma-Priye Padmini Padma-Haste Padma-[A]alaye Padma-Dalaayata-Akssi |
Vishva-Priye Vissnnu Mano-[A]nukuule Tvat-Paada-Padmam Mayi Sannidhatsva ||24||

या सा पद्मासनस्था विपुलकटितटी पद्मपत्रायताक्षी ।
गम्भीरा वर्तनाभिः स्तनभर नमिता शुभ्र वस्त्रोत्तरीया ॥२५॥Yaa Saa Padma-[A]asana-Sthaa Vipula-Kattitattii Padma-Patraayata-Akssii |
Gambhiiraa Varta-Naabhih Stanabhara Namitaa Shubhra Vastro[a-u]ttariiyaa ||25||

लक्ष्मीर्दिव्यैर्गजेन्द्रैर्मणिगणखचितैस्स्नापिता हेमकुम्भैः ।
नित्यं सा पद्महस्ता मम वसतु गृहे सर्वमाङ्गल्ययुक्ता ॥२६॥Lakssmiir-Divyair-Gajendrair-Manni-Ganna-Khacitais-Snaapitaa Hema-Kumbhaih |
Nityam Saa Padma-Hastaa Mama Vasatu Grhe Sarva-Maanggalya-Yuktaa ||26||

लक्ष्मीं क्षीरसमुद्र राजतनयां श्रीरङ्गधामेश्वरीम् ।
दासीभूतसमस्त देव वनितां लोकैक दीपांकुराम् ॥२७॥Lakssmiim Kssiira-Samudra Raaja-Tanayaam Shriirangga-Dhaame[a-Ii]shvariim |
Daasii-Bhuuta-Samasta Deva Vanitaam Loka-i[e]ka Diipa-Amkuraam ||27||

श्रीमन्मन्दकटाक्षलब्ध विभव ब्रह्मेन्द्रगङ्गाधराम् ।
त्वां त्रैलोक्य कुटुम्बिनीं सरसिजां वन्दे मुकुन्दप्रियाम् ॥२८॥Shriiman[t]-Manda-Kattaakssa-Labdha Vibhava Brahme(a-I)ndra-Ganggaadharaam |
Tvaam Trai-Lokya Kuttumbiniim Sarasijaam Vande Mukunda-Priyaam ||28||

सिद्धलक्ष्मीर्मोक्षलक्ष्मीर्जयलक्ष्मीस्सरस्वती ।
श्रीलक्ष्मीर्वरलक्ष्मीश्च प्रसन्ना मम सर्वदा ॥२९॥Siddha-Lakssmiir-Mokssa-Lakssmiir-Jaya-Lakssmiis-Sarasvatii |
Shrii-Lakssmiir-Vara-Lakssmiishca Prasannaa Mama Sarvadaa ||29||

वरांकुशौ पाशमभीतिमुद्रां करैर्वहन्तीं कमलासनस्थाम् ।
बालार्क कोटि प्रतिभां त्रिणेत्रां भजेहमाद्यां जगदीस्वरीं त्वाम् ॥३०॥Vara-Angkushau Paasham-Abhiiti-Mudraam Karair-Vahantiim Kamala-[A]asana-Sthaam |
Baala-[A]arka Kotti Pratibhaam Tri-Netraam Bhaje-[A]ham-Aadyaam Jagad-Iisvariim Tvaam ||30||

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके ।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके देवि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥३१॥Sarva-Manggala-Maanggalye Shive Sarva-Artha Saadhike |
Sharannye Try-Ambake Devi Naaraayanni Namostu Te ||
Naaraayanni Namostu Te || Naaraayanni Namostu Te ||31||

सरसिजनिलये सरोजहस्ते धवलतरांशुक गन्धमाल्यशोभे ।
भगवति हरिवल्लभे मनोज्ञे त्रिभुवनभूतिकरि प्रसीद मह्यम् ॥३२॥Sarasija-Nilaye Saroja-Haste Dhavalatara-Amshuka Gandha-Maalya-Shobhe |
Bhagavati Hari-Vallabhe Manojnye Tri-Bhuvana-Bhuuti-Kari Prasiida Mahyam ||32||

विष्णुपत्नीं क्षमां देवीं माधवीं माधवप्रियाम् ।
विष्णोः प्रियसखीं देवीं नमाम्यच्युतवल्लभाम् ॥३३॥Vissnnu-Patniim Kssamaam Deviim Maadhaviim Maadhava-Priyaam |
Vissnnoh Priya-Sakhiim Deviim Namaamy-Acyuta-Vallabhaam ||33||

महालक्ष्मी च विद्महे विष्णुपत्नी च धीमहि ।
तन्नो लक्ष्मीः प्रचोदयात् ॥३४॥Mahaalakssmii Ca Vidmahe Vissnnu-Patnii Ca Dhiimahi |
Tan[t]-No Lakssmiih Pracodayaat ||34||

श्रीवर्चस्यमायुष्यमारोग्यमाविधात् पवमानं महियते ।
धनं धान्यं पशुं बहुपुत्रलाभं शतसंवत्सरं दीर्घमायुः ॥३५॥Shrii-Varcasyam-Aayussyam-Aarogyamaa-Vidhaat Pavamaanam Mahiyate |
Dhanam Dhaanyam Pashum Bahu-Putra-Laabham Shatasamvatsaram Diirgham-Aayuh ||35||

ऋणरोगादिदारिद्र्यपापक्षुदपमृत्यवः ।
भयशोकमनस्तापा नश्यन्तु मम सर्वदा ॥३६॥Rnna-Roga-[A]adi-Daaridrya-Paapa-Kssud-Apamrtyavah |
Bhaya-Shoka-Manastaapaa Nashyantu Mama Sarvadaa ||36||

य एवं वेद ।
ॐ महादेव्यै च विद्महे विष्णुपत्नी च धीमहि ।
तन्नो लक्ष्मीः प्रचोदयात्
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥३७॥Ya Evam Veda |
Om Mahaa-Devyai Ca Vidmahe Vissnnu-Patnii Ca Dhiimahi |
Tanno Lakssmiih Pracodayaat 
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||37||

gospel

darshanam.

fund of information all at rs 10.

Eastern Grecian and Scandinavian mythology similarities.

Nothing comes from nothing. Nothing ever could .

Socrates was in prison awaiting his execution. One day he heard afellow prisoner singing a difficult lyric by the poet, Stesichorus. Socrates begged the man to teach him the lyric. “Why?” asked the singer. “So that I can die knowing one thing more,” was Socrates’ reply.

There’s a Persian maxim, ‘There’s no end to learning.’ It’s never too late to learn a new thing and add to the repertoire of your knowledge. Thomas Arnold, professor of philosophy, and Allama Iqbal at the University of Lahore were on a voyage to England. Thomas Arnold was one of the three great Arnolds, who were contemporaries. The other two were Matthew Arnold and Edwin Arnold.

Suddenly, an overpowering tempest threatened to sink the ship in the middle of the sea. Everyone on board was terrified, except for the great philosopher.

He was reading, unfazed. The captain of the ship asked Arnold, “Aren’t you afraid of death?”

“Death has its time. Why should Iworry? I cannot afford to waste asingle moment learning something new,” calmly answered the unruffled philosopher.


The tempest eventually died down and professor Arnold learnt that the 1st-century Buddhist scholar Nagarjuna was a Brahmin, who embraced Buddhism and propounded his famous ‘Madhyam Marg’ (the middle path). Arnold also came to know that the same Nagarjuna gave the world the concept of ‘Ex Nihilo’ (nothing comes out of nothing), all during that mad scramble to save one’s life. There’re so many things to do in life.

Alas, one life ain’t enough.

Something Good

Julie Andrews, Rebecca Luker, ...

Perhaps I had a wicked childhood
Perhaps I had a miserable youth
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past
There must have been a moment of truth

For here you are, standing there, loving me
Whether or not you should
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good

Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good

For here you are standing there, loving me
Whether or…