The Right Opportunity: The retirement age during my time was 58 years. I took another job after that and worked there for two years before I underwent an open heart surgery. I decided thereafter based on a very sane advice from a doctor to lead a retired life. Though allured on number of occasions, I didn’t take any job. But as usual my personal weaknesses-lust, anger,greed,ego (काम, क्रोध, लोभ, अहंकार) remained with me. As the ageing advanced and I got nearer to the teachings of Bhagawad Gita, I, like many started thinking about practising some of the desired qualities in a good human being to make myself happier. Perhaps once we are above 65-70 years of age,it should be easier, though really in right sense it is not. One will have to work hard. As most of us have done away with our material responsibilities of our life, perhaps we can try to develop ourselves spiritually and live as per scripture. While Ashram concept of Vanprasth and then Snayas living philosophy can be practised to have detached peaceful living, we can try to change ourselves from Rajshik to Satvik approaches in living as advised in at least three chapters of Bhagawad Gita.According to Gita, everything including human beings in the universe is a combination of the three Gunas-Sattva (law), Rajas(energy), and Tamas(inertia)-in varying proportions. One can transform Tamas to Rajas to sattva with constant concentration.One can try to increase the proportion of Sattva. Each of us can choose to move on the upward path that leads to abiding joy and will be divine.It will be time taking but with no other better work for self improvement, why should not we try that.

I quote from Bhagawad Gita Chapter 16 that is called दैवासुरसंपद्विभागयोगो:

‘Be fearless and pure;never waver in your

determination or your dedication to the spiritual

life. Give freely. Be self-controlled, sincere, truthful,

loving, and full of the desire to serve.Realize the

Truth of the scriptures;learn to be detached and

to take joy in renunciation.1.

Do not get angry or harm any living creature, but compassionate and gentle;show good will to all.2

Cultivate vigorous,patience,will,purity;avoid malice and pride..Then, Arjuna, you will achieve your divine destiny.3 (Translation by Eknath Easwaran)

अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः।

दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम्‌॥१॥

अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम्‌।

दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम्‌॥२॥

तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहोनातिमानिता।

भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत॥३॥

With still years to go before the last breath, we can try to concentrate to be a better human being, a Satvik and if possible help to improve the conditions around us.