The teaching from Hinduism that highlights the importance of wealth in maintaining a healthy and prosperous life speaks to a universal truth that transcends time and culture. This idea suggests that wealth is necessary for material security, societal respect, and personal relationships, emphasizing how people tend to value material success. It also acknowledges a harsh reality: without wealth, even the most qualified or virtuous individuals may be disregarded, sometimes even by those closest to them.
Additional Information & Meaning
Wealth, in this context, doesn't just refer to money or material assets but also includes prosperity in health, family, and spiritual well-being. In Hinduism, wealth (referred to as Artha) is one of the four Purusharthas or goals of human life, the others being Dharma (righteousness), Kama (pleasure), and Moksha (liberation). Artha is considered essential because it enables a person to fulfill responsibilities (such as supporting family), practice charity, and lead a stable, dignified life.
This teaching also underscores a social truth: wealth often acts as a marker of social standing and influence. Wealthy individuals are often more respected, sought after, and regarded as successful, whereas those without wealth may struggle to be acknowledged for their talents, virtues, or hard work. This unfortunate reality is an age-old human tendency that still persists in modern society.
Symbolism in Hinduism
In Hinduism, the goddess Lakshmi embodies wealth, fortune, and prosperity. She is worshipped in hopes of attracting material abundance and success, but also spiritual wealth, emphasizing the balanced pursuit of material gains with virtuous living. Wealth is thus seen as a blessing but is also meant to be used responsibly in accordance with Dharma. A life that centers purely on wealth without righteousness is seen as hollow and unsustainable.
Importance & Modern-Day Relevance
In today’s world, wealth continues to play a significant role in shaping one's life experiences. Financial stability is crucial for basic needs like food, shelter, healthcare, and education. In addition, wealth often determines access to opportunities, social circles, and even personal happiness to some extent. The modern capitalist society places great importance on financial success, making wealth a measure of personal achievement. This truth reinforces the idea from the teaching: a person with wealth is often more respected, while financial struggles can lead to isolation or disregard, even if the individual is morally upright or intellectually capable.
However, the teaching also offers a subtle critique of societal values that equate worth solely with wealth. In reality, wealth should not overshadow the importance of virtues like wisdom, compassion, and integrity.
Practicality in Today’s Life
Financial Independence: In today’s world, financial independence is closely tied to self-respect and self-worth. This aligns with the teaching's emphasis on wealth as a foundation for personal stability and societal respect. It is essential to earn enough not just for basic survival but also for a secure and fulfilling life.
Balance of Wealth and Morality: While the pursuit of wealth is necessary, modern thinkers also stress the importance of balancing financial goals with ethical living. Many successful people today, despite their financial gains, aim to give back to society through charity and philanthropy, recognizing that true prosperity lies in benefiting others.
Relationships: In modern families, financial strain can lead to friction or even dissolution, just as the teaching suggests. Financial planning, transparency, and mutual respect in handling finances are key to maintaining healthy relationships.
Symbolism Across Cultures
The idea that wealth brings respect and recognition while poverty leads to neglect is not unique to Hinduism. Many other cultures and religious traditions emphasize similar themes:
Christianity: While the Bible teaches that "the love of money is the root of all evil," it also acknowledges the importance of providing for one's family (1 Timothy 5:8), and many biblical figures, like King Solomon, were blessed with both wisdom and wealth.
Buddhism: Buddhism teaches that wealth, when used wisely, can lead to happiness, but attachment to wealth causes suffering. Like Hinduism, Buddhism stresses the importance of moderation and ethical use of wealth.
Confucianism: Confucius taught that wealth is important for fulfilling societal roles and responsibilities but should not come at the cost of virtue. Wealth gained through improper means is regarded as dishonorable.
Islam: In Islam, wealth is seen as a blessing from Allah, but one is expected to use it for charitable purposes. The concept of Zakat (obligatory charity) reflects the belief that wealth should be shared with those less fortunate.
Similar Thoughts in Hinduism
Hindu scriptures also emphasize the impermanence of wealth, highlighting that material prosperity can be fleeting. The Bhagavad Gita teaches that attachment to wealth or material success alone leads to spiritual imbalance. Yet, it also acknowledges that wealth, when aligned with Dharma, contributes to a well-rounded and prosperous life.
The Mahabharata further explores this through various characters, like King Yudhishthira, who recognized the importance of wealth but stressed that it must be acquired and used with righteousness. In Hinduism, wealth is seen as beneficial, but it should not lead to greed or moral compromise.
Practical Benefits of Wealth
Security: Wealth provides safety and security, protecting individuals and families from financial crises and allowing access to health care, quality education, and retirement.
Opportunities: Wealth opens up opportunities for personal growth, professional advancement, travel, and enriching experiences that can lead to a more fulfilling life.
Social Influence: Wealth can be a means of creating social change through philanthropy, business ventures, and community leadership. Individuals with financial power can have a positive impact by supporting causes they believe in.
Charity and Dharma: In keeping with Hinduism's teachings, wealth allows for the practice of charity (Dana), one of the highest virtues, where one can support others and contribute to the welfare of society.
Final Thoughts
The Hindu teaching about wealth’s necessity for respect and prosperity remains relevant in modern society, reflecting both the value of financial security and the pitfalls of a society overly focused on material success. While wealth is important for survival and comfort, it should be pursued and used in a way that aligns with moral values, personal fulfillment, and the greater good. The balance between wealth and virtue is essential in living a prosperous, respected, and meaningful life.
A dramatic ballad singer studied under a strict teacher who insisted that he rehearse day after day, month after month the same passage from the same song, without being permitted to go any further. Finally, overwhelmed by frustration and despair, the young man ran off to find another profession.
One night, stopping at an inn, he stumbled upon a recitation contest. Having nothing to lose, he entered the competition and, of course, sang the one passage that he knew so well. When he had finished, the sponsor of the contest highly praised his performance.
Despite the student's embarrassed objections, the sponsor refused to believe that he had just heard a beginner perform. "Tell me," the sponsor said, "who is your instructor? He must be a great master." The student later became known as the great performer Koshiji.