Sir,
Prasad1's reply is abruptly krisp and a hit on the head of the nail. It is absolutely clear as per our sashtras and culture.
The question rose on my mind not only because of one single incident or one person's present day condition, but this is the overall prevailing situation in our country. People are yet to realise or open up their eyes to this fact. We as parents spend our 2/3rd of our life in bringing up, feeding and growing and grooming our children for their better career and future. It is ofcourse natural that we expect that our children take care of our remaining 1/3rd of our life, mercifully. But once, they finish their education and settle in their family life, particularly abroad, they start totally neglecting us and argue and claim that they have 2/3rd of their life before them while we only have 1/3rd left. Naturally, they have to look after their 2/3rd life, so they have to neglect our 1/3rd remaining life i.e. practically dumping their elders and leave them to their destiny. They are passionate and ready to send and spend money on medical expenses and last rites, but can not come and see their elders or perform the last rites as it has no meaning for them. This is the gospel truth in todays' world.
The elders inspite of having everything like money (pension+ bank balance) have no one to look after them and every one of their relatives too face the same grim fact.
So, when one is married, having children, but could not foresee their final rites being conducted or one who is unmarried and single and have no one to perform the final rites, even after volunteering money, which and what is the solution ?
This solution once known in our present generation, will become popular and will be carried out by all as a regular ritual, when one is hale and healthy.
Meare consoling and uttering soothing sweat words, will not gain. Everyone has to introspect. As a Brahmin, we have created this fiasco ourselves. The brahmin is still engrossed into ego and self esteem, very very narrow minded. Cannot think or look beyond his own self and can not even analyse and accept the reality. So, the brahmin today is diminishing in culture and numbers. In this YUG, no rishi or muni or avatar is going to take birth and resurrect the brahminism. Only timely awareness may held slowdown the destruction. Hope never fails.
