Santhana Gruhe sthitha Vrudha Ashtakam

Santhana Gruhe sthitha  Vrudha  Ashtakam

(The octet on oldies  living in their children’s home)

By

P.R.Ramachander

(Based on the tamil write up by  my face book friend  Padmanabhan Subramanian, Thanks   to him)

1.Being  always there  in the  home  doing nothing at home,

They   try  to be critical of all activities of  all people of the home,

And this  is not only  not liked  but also  hated by younger ones,

And so it would be better  that they tell their opinion  only when requested.

2.Most of the youngsters  feel that  the old people  are a  burden,

Because  though , they are able to do,  they do not   do even  small help in their homes,

In spite of most of them being  pay bills, go to the bank , baby sit for some time and cut vegetables,

But they say , “I have done lot of work  earlier and so I keep quiet” making  youngsters hate  them.

3.Most of the elders  simply relax , ordering others   about , most of the time in a harsh tone,

And they become agitated  if their orders are not obeyed   expeditiously  every  time

It would be better that they do not think that they are  the bosses  in the house,

But  think about how   they would  be  able to   cooperate  and contribute  to joy in the house.

4.All the senior people   should remember   that  , their  daughter in law   has parents ,

And it is her right   to love as well as  help them and their son  should also be civil  with them,

And  they should not at any time  in their speech compare   their daughter  and daughter in law,

For  this would animosity in their daughter in law  and never increase their daughter’s love .

5.All the senior citizens would have   very close   friends   as well  as dear  relations,

But if they want  to invite them to the home  of their  children , it is expected,

That they should  inform them  early and get their   consent and also choose a proper time,

Especially   when they expect  to join them for tea, lunch or dinner.

6.They due to  their experience would be  in a position  to give  proper  advice   to give to youngsters,

But times have changed  and so if they have   any opinion  ,

It would be better , if they tell it in a soft tone , detailing   the possible,

Positive and negative results .and leave it to  the youngsters to decide.

7.After  they become old  , under no circumstance   should they,

Give all that they have   to the younger generation  , under the impression,

That  it is the duty of the   young to look after  them and they would do it,

But  keep sufficient money of their earnings  with them for medical and other emergencies.

8.The grandpa and Grandma   should under no circumstance ,

Interfere in the strict upbringing of their grand children by their children,

They should  not give money to the grand children  without the parents knowledge ,

Nor should they advice  the children to tell lies nor bear false  witness to them.

Phala sruthi

If the  old  parents living in their children’s home,

Read this great octet and follow  its principles,

They would spend  their old age  as if in heaven,

And their children  would   treat them like gods.