Observations Of An Octogenarian Poem by Bashyam Narayanan

Observations of an octogenarian

An octogenarian, aged eighty seven
Physically in some discomfort, but mentally strong and even
Has been striving to keep his living space a heaven
Has a number of things to say,
Which, when practiced, will our living soften
He is none other than uncle R Mahadevan

Listen to him in his own words

All your intensions good or bad, are subject to criticism, objection and observation.

Your attitude determines the altitude.

Ignorance is pardonable, negligence is negotiable, but deliberation is punishable.

Doctors are supposed to treat the ill, but not to extend ill treatment.

Your destiny will lead you to your destination.

When you do not understand, you always misunderstand.

You cannot quench your thirst by thinking of water, but only by drinking water.

Too much of thinking may result in confusion and indecisiveness.

You cannot judge one’s sincerity from his words, but from his deeds.

Worship, relationship, friendship and hardship.

Be free, fair, frank and fearless.

If you can be a lamp, you can throw light on others.

Do not deprive your desires to please others.

Service to humanity is greater than service to God.

You cannot escape from your faults and sin by shouting or protesting.

Always be courteous to others.

You can observe many formalities and courtesies without any cost, but many fail to do that.

Your determination and hard work lead you to peace, success and happiness.

Satisfaction is stepping stone for happiness. Be happy with what you possess.

See God within yourself, if you could not find, go in search of Him.

Good and bad are the results of companionship. Associate with people of qualities not of quantities.

If you want to be always clean, keep away from the flirt.

A seed sown today fetches a lot tomorrow (yield) .

Never think or say “I do not care what others think of me”.

Do not lie, steal, borrow or be greedy of others.

Do not conceal facts for petty benefits.

Since body is controlled by mind, keep it clean, steady and strong.

Beauty concealed is more attractive than what and when exposed.

Always keep mind, body, words and deeds clean.

Before you polish or clean anything, remove the stain first (applicable to anything you say or do) .

Nobody should wish to be a father, who cannot protect the prestige of fatherhood.

To save or protect a sinner, do not abuse the innocent.

When you cannot regain what you have lost, you should retain what is left.

When you do not have anything, you do not wish for anything.

One’s creations are good, but preservations and results are not satisfactory.

We have done our duty, but in many cases, it is a hidden or unknown beauty.

Try to observe, serve, reserve, preserve.

In this modern world, no human being deserves to be worshipped or flattered.

Collected from the voice of a bitterly grieved person, who has attained old age. He had every thing in life, now, he says, he is left with his life only (feeling) . He has lost his son, but has not lost the sun from his life (practical) .