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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

Wealth of the rich is best spent on the poor

 

CHENNAI, NOV. 17. While prosperity comes to a person who

understands about social needs and who knows his duty towards

fellow human beings, it is often compared to a tank in the middle

of a village. When the tank gets filled in rain, it is an

occasion of joy for all residents. The tank conserves water and

quenches the thirst of people. So too is the wealth of a man who

spent on noble causes. But we invariably find the good people

desiring to help others poor, while the envious rich; wise men

ponder over this irony.

 

While instances prove that the jealous will never thrive and

fortune never forsake those who are free from envy, why this

strange scene in society, asks saint Thiruvalluvar in his

Thirukkural, an ethical code.Can the term ``wealth'' refer only

to the material gains one enjoys! First, in days of yore,

learning was believed to be man's best possession, other types of

riches were no wealth at all. Second, even listening to the words

of the wise was considered the richest treasure. Third, good and

obedient children were also the wealth of men. An investment in

knowledge always pays the best interests.

 

The Thirukkural says that the three factors mentioned above

describe a man as ``wealthy''. Those who have these in abundance

will easily obtain fame and attain peak. The saint adds that

wealth in terms of money has to be acquired by fair, legitimate,

just and righteous methods, and not by adopting short-cut steps

or by deceit. Charity to noble causes serves as a fixed deposit.

The seeming prosperity of the extravagant is bound to perish and

hence a person, who earns less than what he expects, should cut

down his expenditure. ``One's expenses should not outrun his

income,'' adds the poet.

 

Kinsmen will crowd around those who are generous and who will

receive them with kindness. Like the crows which call and eat

with others of their group, prosperity will abide with such

large-hearts.In his lecture on how the saint has dealt with the

topic of ``wealth'', Sri M. K. Ramanan said the possessions of a

man may be in the form of cash, lands, houses, jewellery and

dress material but if they are used for nefarious activities,

soon he will regret seeing them vanishing. Bloating over guilty

ill-gotten wealth can be compared to pouring water in an unbaked

clay pot. It is said that the Goddess of Wealth will kill ill-

gotten fortune and drag those people into evil path. The best

examples in this regard are those of Duryodhana and Sakuni. The

saint finally warns men that wealth in the hands of fool is worse

than the poverty of the learned and that the genuinely wealth

should never display arrogance but be humble.

 

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