There is a shloka in the Atharva Veda (XIX.63) which prays for longevity in the following poetic way. Note the rhythmic repetition of sharadah shatam which means autumns hundred. Autumn is the best season in India. Note also how the prayer asks not only for seeing (understanding) and living, but also for learning (acquiring knowledge), rising (being up and above an easy posture), thriving (doing well materially), and growing (advancing).
pashyema sharadah shatam
jivema sharadah shatam
budhyema sharadah shatam
rohema sharadah shatam
pushema sharadah shatam
bhavema sharadah shatam
bhuyema sharadah shatam
bhuyasi sharadah shatam
May we see for a hundred autumns!
May we live for a hundred autumns!
May we learn for a hundred autumns!
May we rise up for a hundred autumns!
May we thrive for a hundred autumns!
May we stay for a hundred autumns!
May we grow for a hundred autumns!
May it be for more than a hundred
autumns!
April 18, 2014
Spurts of Thought 