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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Divine grace, man's enduring wealth

 

CHENNAI, MARCH 8. There cannot be two opinions about the

necessity of material comforts to lead a contented life in the

world. Human beings spend almost their entire lifetime to acquire

wealth with the belief that it will give them happiness. If one

ponders over this phenomenon it will become evident that even

those who are wealthy do not seem to stop hankering for more and

hence they do not seem to be satisfied at any stage.

 

A saint used to give the analogy of selecting footwear to

illustrate how much wealth is ideal. If the size of the sandals

is too small it hurts, whereas if it too big one stumbles and

falls down. Likewise, one should have just enough money to lead a

comfortable life; extremes like poverty and luxury bring only

problems with them. As wealth is only relative it will be

worthwhile considering how much is ideal for each individual.

 

Kumaraguruparar indicates that it is in the right management of

the money at one's disposal that is the key to resolving how much

is enough for one. Even if a person earns a small amount of

money, if he is able to manage his finances properly then he can

find happiness in worldly life. Further, it should always be kept

in mind that wealth is only a means to lead a comfortable life

and not the end because it cannot give happiness by itself. If

this fact is not remembered pursuit of wealth will become an

obsession at the cost of missing out on other interests which

make life meaningful.

 

In his discourse, Sri Sukhi Sivam said another common feature

that can be observed was that a wealthy person commanded respect

but in truth he suffered alienation because it was difficult to

trust others. If one pauses to consider what is true wealth there

are various definitions available in tradition.

 

Tiruvalluvar has observed that the hearing faculty is wealth as

it is obvious that we learn a lot by listening. Knowledge is also

considered wealth as it enables a person to earn by applying it

and he commands respect also. Unlike material wealth knowledge

will never forsake a person. One's children are also considered

as wealth in traditional societies as they care for their parents

in old age.

 

An entirely different view is held by those who keep the ultimate

well being of mankind in mind. According to them, it is spiritual

knowledge which is man's true wealth. Andal in her hymn

Tiruppavai refers to the Lord as the enduring wealth. If one has

merited God's grace then He blesses him with all necessities of

life; without His grace even if one commands luxuries there will

not be true happiness.

 

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