We must not earn
money by acts which involve the pleasures of the senses nor by forbidden methods; whether
one is in want or possessed of means, one must not try to acquire wealth from any and
every source without discrimination. Tiruvalluvar says: "That only is inbam,
which springs from Dharma, all else, though inbam, is really misery and is not worthy of
repute."
From the foregoing quotations it is clear that according to Indian thought, Dharma
regulates both the acquisition of wealth and material comforts and satisfaction of our
desires. Valmiki puts in the mouth of Rama the
ideas contained in the above verses when he gave advice to Lakshmana on the eve of his
banishment to the forest. Rama says that it is found by experience in the world that
Dharma, Artha and Kama are attained as the fruit of the pursuit of Dharma alone and those
acts which give rise to realisation of these three puruaharthas are to be followed, much
in the same manner as by marriage one is able to attain the three parusharthas on account
of a beloved and obedient wife who has given birth to a good son. But if all the
three purusharthas cannot be attained by any act, then, at least that which is conducive
to Dharma should be followed. |
