Knowledge is True Wealth
There are three important elements of life. They are righteousness, comfort, and wealth. Wealth is essential and of these three elements, wealth is important. Without it, comfort disappears and it is hard to practice and spread righteousness. Furthermore, wealth brings respect from family members, spouse, children, and parents. However, beyond a certain limit, wealth brings trouble.
With wealth, we can buy a mattress but we cannot buy sleep; we can buy books but not knowledge, and we can pay for the best doctors and medicine but not all illnesses can be cured. Wealth, although essential for a comfortable life, does not work in certain situations.
Through desire for wealth, and by possessing wealth we should not develop animalistic tendencies. There are people who kill and maim others to acquire wealth. It also becomes a source of enmity between people.
Those who are blessed with wealth should not be egotistic, and should not harm others. Our way of living, culture, and how we were in childhood should also not change. Wealth should be used only for the essentials of a comfortable life, and should not be wasted on unnecessary possessions. The wealth that is earned, when misused will disappear very quickly.
Compared to wealth and power, education is of greater importance. With proper education and knowledge, wealth and power are easily attainable. If humans don’t understand this, they only grow in physical stature which one day will be consumed by old age. It is more essential to grow in knowledge. It cannot be touched by time or old age. Knowledge occupies the highest position in life, while wealth occupies a very low position. Knowledge is first, education is second, and wealth is third. People with the right knowledge do not cheat, harm, criticize, or underestimate others. Wealth promotes the ego which can make us adopt these negative qualities. Wealth is of the lower, while knowledge is power.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
June 12, 2019
With wealth, we can buy a mattress but we cannot buy sleep; we can buy books but not knowledge, and we can pay for the best doctors and medicine but not all illnesses can be cured. Wealth, although essential for a comfortable life, does not work in certain situations.
Through desire for wealth, and by possessing wealth we should not develop animalistic tendencies. There are people who kill and maim others to acquire wealth. It also becomes a source of enmity between people.
Those who are blessed with wealth should not be egotistic, and should not harm others. Our way of living, culture, and how we were in childhood should also not change. Wealth should be used only for the essentials of a comfortable life, and should not be wasted on unnecessary possessions. The wealth that is earned, when misused will disappear very quickly.
Compared to wealth and power, education is of greater importance. With proper education and knowledge, wealth and power are easily attainable. If humans don’t understand this, they only grow in physical stature which one day will be consumed by old age. It is more essential to grow in knowledge. It cannot be touched by time or old age. Knowledge occupies the highest position in life, while wealth occupies a very low position. Knowledge is first, education is second, and wealth is third. People with the right knowledge do not cheat, harm, criticize, or underestimate others. Wealth promotes the ego which can make us adopt these negative qualities. Wealth is of the lower, while knowledge is power.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
June 12, 2019