3.30.11 – 17

Here Bhagavatham describes the pathetic state of old age. When all the deeds in the youth become futile, desires increase and physical strength decreases and the old man starts aspiring others’ wealth or money. In old age he becomes helpless to take care of the family, all his efforts become fruitless, and thus he becomes unlucky, moneyless and ugly. Then his face will reflect that misery. Even then mind will be thinking with sighs, about how to become prosperous.

As he becomes useless, his spouse and others will start dishonouring him. Bhagavatham says, it is like farmers neglecting and starving the old bulls.

The same children who were ruled so far by him, now begin to insult him and he has to survive with what they give to him. He stays at home like an old and sick dog, awaiting his own death. Always with diseases, he can not digest food, and with severe cough, he can not even speak.

Relatives gather around the death bed of the old man, calling him, but he can not even reply to them.