In the previous episode we had witnessed few more instances from the modern-day scenario to illustrate how we people in the Kali Yuga just go behind money, by compromising anything and everything in our life. At every instance all along the Vidura Neeti, we’re witnessing how Vidura’s words are coming to be so true and valid in this Kali Yuga and how he was an expert in accurately predicting the situation that we would be going through, 5000 years from then, and appropriately advising us. Eventually in yesterday’s episode we had witnessed how modern-day sportspersons (many of them), although they might be extremely talented in their corresponding sport, but during their sporting career, succumb to the desire of earning some “quick bucks” of money by offering themselves into the hands of illegal elements, thereby involving themselves in unwanted and illegal activities that bring disgrace not only for them, but also to the entire sport!
Thus the point here is that, whatever situation that we are in, we must not get tempted towards making “easy money” and if we’re giving into this dangerous temptation, our life is completely going to be screwed up big time in the near future! This is exactly what Duryodhana has done in the “Tretha Yuga” and all of us know how he got screwed up later on for all what he had done! He along with his uncle Sahuni, conspired the illegal and infamous game of gambling against the Paandavas, tricked them into the game, made them play more and more of it, turn the game illegally into Duryodhana’s favor and ultimately ripped off every single piece of property that the Paandavas had under their possession. Moreover not withstanding, Duryodhana had the audacity to insult Draupati, the wife of Paandavas in the public courtroom. This is what happens when wealth comes to us in abundance and in an illegal way! When we suddenly see so much of wealth in front of our eyes, we would not know how to react and what to do! Our desire towards wealth would directly or indirectly start motivating us to do whatever action that is prescribed under “Adharma” and ultimately we would be committing sins after sins. This is what we can understand from the chain of events that happened in the Mahabharata story, which ultimately led to the destructive war between the two camps of brothers!
Thus in today’s life too, we would be able to see the reactions of people who become “suddenly rich”. There is always a difference in the behavioral aspects between those people who are traditionally rich and those who are getting rich all of a sudden. A person who is traditionally rich and who is blessed upfront with abundant wealth, owing to his / her hard work and efforts, would never show to the world that he is rich and eventually would maintain himself / herself as a modest person. However, the person who has got rich by luck or by chance, would not know what to do with so much of money! Thus, all the excitement of having so much of money would be shown out to the world in the form of arrogance, unlawful activities, harassing and torturing others, etc. One perfect example of this Duryodhana-like behavior can be seen in today’s politicians across India. Basically, in India, politicians become rich not by legitimately earning money with the talent or skill. They become rich by chance or by luck! Moreover, since most of the politicains in India are third-rated (Barring a few of course), they are not educated enough on how to use the money that they get, in a wise manner. Rather, they use this money in an arrogant way by torturing others, harassing people around them, etc. that only adds to their “Adharma”. This is where we see the difference between genuinely rich people and “Suddenly rich” people.
Thus the extended point of discussion from this important topic is that, if we’re having a considerably good inflow of money or any sort of wealth by Bhagawan’s grace, we should respect the wealth as Goddess Lakshmi and try to channelize it in a good way. This is where our Sanaathana Dharma teaches us the importance of doing service to others and donating wealth to the cause of the needy and poor people! If we’re able to develop that maturity of channelizing our wealth in the right direction, that would benefit other people who are poor and needy, this would be the greatest service that we’re rendering to Bhagawan himself! Ultimately we should realize that if Bhagawan is giving us something, He gives it to us for a cause. We should understand that cause and act accordingly.
So for today, let us ponder over this important extension of channelizing our wealth in the right direction. All of us should take a vow from today that we would use our money and wealth to serve the needy and make people around us happy! This would contribute to the growth of “Dharma” and thus would become beneficial to the entire world. We shall wait till tomorrow’s episode to witness Vidura’s next important point! Stay tuned! 😊
The Indian Dharma 