In BBC Earth's "South Korea with Alexander Armstrong", the host points out that the nation has a rapidly aging population that's down to having the lowest birth rate in the world with almost half the country expected to be over 65 by 2050. Watching with my family, my daughter who was back from South Korea a year ago tells me that young Korean adults chose not to have children as they do not want them to go through life as it is.
I cannot imagine that I too have aged with my wife and my children growing up into wonderful adults and one having three lovely kids of her own. Much as I have aged I feel young at heart. Agathiyar too had attested to it watching me join hands with the youths he sent over to AVM to carry out puja and charity and many other activities. While we easily tire out doing our daily chores, in instances where we host and carry out the events and activities that Agathiyar dictated, I believe the Siddhas give us the strength to complete them to their satisfaction. We used to wonder with our jaws wide open as to how the loving couple Sri Krishna and Sri Devy go about shopping, preparing, cooking, and delivering the food packets and yet have time to entertain all those who go over to give a helping hand. I always tell them jokingly that it is no wonder and surprise as the 18 stand by them and give a hand. By 18 I meant the Siddhas. Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar who hosted the recent Agathiyar Jayanthi fests at her Kallar Ashram too agrees that there was madness to it wanting to accomplish the task to the best of her ability. Today the Siddhas have me sit back and lay on the couch doing nothing for I believe we have listened and carried out all their instructions and directive to their utmost joy and satisfaction.
To the householders who are also on the path of the Siddhas, this blog is for you for never did Tavayogi or Agathiyar ask us to leave the family and responsibilities behind and take the plunge into monkhood. When I saw Tavayogi alone for the very first time he asked me to bring my wife that evening. He told me to bring her to the path too. When she had frequent dreams of seeing saints and sages Tavayogi told her that they wanted her to come to the path too. The youths who came in droves to AVM sent by Agathiyar, who were single and bachelors, were given time off to pursue their individual lives first and join up in later years. One devotee who was strongly attached to Agathiyar too was told to pay attention to his family first and come back to him with his wife's approval in his fifties. Contrary to popular talk the Siddhas never disrupt the lives of their devotees. There is time allocated for each phase of life. We are to go through all the phases of life and gain experiences and lessons becoming wiser.
As many of us age with time, many fall a victim to it, when it immobilizes us and brings on senility, conditions associated with the physical and mental decline that comes with old age. But the Siddhas found ways of overcoming the deterioration of cognitive functioning and immobility associated with old age. They are keen to pass on this knowledge to us provided we give an ear to them. Initially, they tasks us to care for the body in numerous ways. Finally, through their grace, the magic happens within. The body is rejuvenated and a transformation takes place within and without that is noticeable to one and others. This is their gift to humanity. They help us deter or defer at least old age. We just saw our mother pass away peacefully at the very ripe old age of 95. We see many others waiting in line to go or leave us. While the wait begins the immediate family members have a responsibility to take care of these elders. One cannot possibly shun their responsibilities and leave them to care for themselves. How are the young having a career and datelines to meet coping with the old? The age of technology and wonder may have an answer. My nephew has written a wonderful piece on it "Robots to the Rescue of Ageing Population" at https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2023/01/18/kugans-column-robots-to-the-rescue-of-ageing-population/
He writes "One of the most promising areas of elder-care technology is the use of robots, which can help with a wide range of tasks, including mobility, communication, and daily living activities"
He adds "Additionally, robots can provide a level of assistance that humans simply cannot match. They are available 24/7, never tire, and can perform tasks such as lifting and transferring patients that would otherwise put human caregivers at risk of injury. They can also be programmed with specific medical knowledge to assist with tasks such as administering medication and monitoring vital signs."
Being an inventor and innovator himself, he has high hopes: "As inventors and innovators continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, I am confident we’ll see even more versatile and nifty robots being developed to help older adults live more independently and comfortably."