Celebrating of ages 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100
Someone once asked me:
“Why do we celebrate ages like 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 so grandly?
Are these numbers spiritual, or are they just cultural traditions?”
The answer lies in a powerful story from the Mahabharata—the story of King Yayati.
Yayati lived life to the fullest—power, pleasures, success, everything. But when old age suddenly arrived, it shook him deeply. After deep reflection, he realized a profound truth:
“Pleasure has limits, but desire never ends.”
This single realization transformed his life. He accepted old age and explained that life has five inner turning points—not based on age, but on understanding.
Remarkably, these five turning points align with the traditional Indian milestones of 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 years. Let us understand them in simple terms.
60 – Shashti
The mind shifts from accumulation to understanding
Around 60, something changes—not in the body, but in priorities.
The question “How much more can I get?” slowly fades, and
“What truly matters now?” takes its place.
Introspection begins.
Noise, applause, and external validation are no longer needed.
Clarity is what one seeks.
This is not decline—it is maturity catching up with ambition.
70 – Bheemaratha Shanthi
Peace feels more powerful than proving a point
In the 40s and 50s, we explained ourselves to the world.
At 70, a quiet shift occurs.
You no longer react instantly.
Arguments lose their attraction.
Preserving relationships matters more than winning debates.
One realizes:
Being peaceful is more valuable than being right.
That is why the 70th year is celebrated.
80 – Sathabhishekam
Your presence itself becomes healing
At 80, people don’t come seeking advice.
They come seeking something deeper—
the reassurance that life can be lived, processed, and understood.
At this age, your presence becomes a blessing.
Words are no longer necessary.
Your very being says:
“Everything was okay. Life finds its way.”
That is why 80 is considered sacred.
90 – Navathi
The ego quietly retires
At 90, something rare happens.
You no longer feel the urge to correct people.
You don’t cling to opinions.
Things are not taken personally.
You are not easily hurt.
Not because of weakness—
but because life has already shown you enough.
Petty matters no longer deserve your energy.
A gentle stillness settles in.
This humility is true spirituality.
100 – Shatamanam
Life moves beyond personal stories
Reaching 100 is not just about the number of years.
It is a state where the larger picture becomes visible.
You realize that many of the worries you carried were unnecessary.
The love you gave was what truly mattered.
And life was always being held by a mysterious, compassionate force.
At 100, a person becomes less of an individual
and more of a presence.
Essence
Our sages did not celebrate age.
They celebrated the inner transformation that comes with age.
* 60 – Priorities shift
* 70 – Peace becomes strength
* 80 – Presence becomes healing
* 90 – Ego dissolves quietly
* 100 – Life reaches completion
Age is not deterioration.
Age is a filtration process—
through which wisdom, gentleness, and grace remain.
Thought for the Day
Growing older does not mean life is reducing;
It means life is becoming purer, wiser, and gentler.
(Courtesy - Unknown, WhatsApp forwarded message)
