Many prayers are for selfish reasons so that itself does not make a prayer meaningless. But this prayer for someone’s departure at the person’s presumed suffering is an ignorant prayer which may not be granted, especially if it is for someone else. It is ignorant because we presume suffering is necessarily bad and bodily condition is the only thing that matters. In most people the body tends to have some problem or the other as it grows old. That does not mean one should die. Rather it means that instead of being focused on the body, one should focus more on the spiritual side that is often ignored and neglected.
Best thing to do when there is an old person in the house is to talk to them, give them the love and care they deserve and, even if one cannot do this, read out or play some beautiful spiritual writings, thoughts, music, mantras so that they are surrounded by a spiritual atmosphere. Rest is in God’s hands and their destiny which compels us to go through many things we may not like which, yet serve their purpose.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
