Dangers of wealth

At different times different things have been thought of as constituting wealth. There was a time when wealth was measured in the number of cows a man possessed. There was a time when only those with an abundance of gold or land were considered rich. The danger with wealth is that we get too attached to it, and then we are reluctant to let go of it. It becomes the most important thing in our lives, and we cannot have enough of it. We even think of relatives and friends as less important than money. That is why Adi Sankara, in his Bhaja Govindam warned of the dangers inherent in wealth. It is often wealth that makes children turn against parents and friends turn into enemies, Goda Venkateswara Sastrigal said, explaining Bhartrhari's Neeti Satakam.

When we earn money, we think it will bring us happiness. But does it? After we have earned money, we begin to think of ways of saving it. And then when we have thought of varying ways of saving it, we begin to worry if our investments are good ones. We wonder if we have saved enough. So it is not merely the earning of money that keeps us preoccupied and therefore keeps us from acquiring spiritual knowledge, it is also the saving of money that keeps us from spiritual pursuits. If in the past, when people did not have options for investment, they worried about keeping their gold or silver safe from thieves, the modern-day investor has worries relating to his investments. So wealth brings with it worry, and this has been true at all times.

But the problem with wealth is not only for those who want to save; the problem is equally one of knowing how to spend and how much. Our attachment to money being great, often, after we have given in to an urge to spend, we begin to worry whether that was such a wise expenditure after all. We feel guilty about the money we have spent and lose sleep over an expense we now think we must have avoided. And yet, in spite of all this, we think wealth is what gives us happiness!

We do not understand, in spite of the words of warning of great seers, that the acquisition of spiritual knowledge is more important than the acquisition of wealth.

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Greatness of Vedas - Unfathomable Vedas

Sage Bharadwaja spent his life studying the Vedas, and yet he felt he had more to study and know. Once he did penance, and when asked what boon he wanted, he replied that he wanted his lifespan extended by hundred years.

When asked why he wanted his lifespan extended for so long, Bharadwaja replied that he wanted to study the Vedas more thoroughly, and for that another hundred years were necessary. At the end of the extra hundred years, when Bharadwaja was asked what boon he wanted, he again asked for a further extension of his life by hundred years. And at the end of the second hundred years, he again asked for another hundred years. And at the end of the three hundredth year of his life, he asked for yet another extension. The Lord of the celestials then created three hills. From each of them, he picked up a fist of mud. He then said to Bharadwaja: “This is the extent to which you have studied the Vedas.” Thus even three hundred years of diligent study by a sage of the calibre of Bharadwaja was insufficient to master the Vedas. There is so much to learn and understand from the Vedas, said M.V. Anantapadmanabha chariar.

The greatness of Bharadwaja is seen in many respects. And to understand his greatness, one has to begin with the story with Valmiki. Valmiki was himself so great a rishi that Sage Narada came in search of him. Bharadwaja was Valmiki's disciple. One day, when Valmiki had to go out for his daily rituals, he took Bharadwaja along. When they came to the Tamasa river, Valmiki said to Bharadwaja: “This river is clear and pure like the heart of great men.” Hearing the call of birds, he looked up and saw a pair of birds, happily chirping to each other. But just then a hunter's arrow struck the male bird, and it dropped down dead. Seeing the agony of the female bird, Valmiki cursed the hunter. Upon their return to the ashram, Bharadwaja told all the other disciples of Valmiki what had happened in the forest. Thus, he was the one to kindle their curiosity and make popular the first verse of Valmiki's. And if even such a great sage could not comprehend the Vedas fully in three hundred years, it shows the greatness of the Vedas.

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Lord Rama's commitment to truth

The Ramayana teaches the values of life and also demonstrates the ways to uphold them. Excellent conduct has been emphasised right from the inception of this epic when the sages Narada and Valmiki discuss the qualities that ennoble human nature. Was it not a cruel fate that left Dasaratha in a situation from which he could not escape? What could be more painful for him than to banish his beloved Lord Rama to the forest at the moment when he had planned His coronation with so much enthusiasm and joy?

The upheavals in the king's emotional state become manifest when he has to bid farewell to his beloved Rama, said Sri B. Sundarkumar in a lecture.When Lord Rama comes to see Dasaratha to take leave and also to get his permission to take Sita and Lakshmana along with Him, Dasaratha breaks down. In the presence of his wives, the distressed king told Rama that he was bound by a boon to Kaikeyi and that now Rama could win the kingdom from Dasaratha and become the ruler of Ayodhya. But Lord Rama promptly replied that truth should not be compromised and that He will fulfil the order and stay in the forest for fourteen years and come back to seek Dasaratha's blessings. Though Dasaratha died shortly after Rama's departure, he comes with the celestials to bless Rama after the defeat of Ravana.

Dasaratha then bid a tearful farewell with many auspicious blessings to Lord Rama. He wished that this journey would bring honour and fame to Him. Knowing Rama's truthful nature, he had to reconcile himself to the impending separation.

He felt very much for the fact that Rama would have to leave all the comforts and live an austere life in the forest. At the same time he appreciated the fact that Rama would never allow Dasaratha's name to be tarnished at any cost. He wished Rama would stay one night at least with them.

Rama reiterated that His only desire was to fulfil the banishment order. He had already relinquished this earth. He did not desire the kingdom or the happiness it brings. He reassured His father and asked him not to shed tears. Righteousness is the watchword in the Ramayana.

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