In today's world, what do you believe, is knowledge more powerful than wealth or wealth is more powerful than knowledge?
We all are jostling to earn fast money. We like a world filled with instant food, instant money, and instantly luxurious lifestyle. We all respect people who have wealth, power, and a position in their life. However, do you think a crash- course can help you gain the right knowledge and a stable lifestyle? We see many people who become rich overnight, but they are unable to handle themselves when the coin flips and the days change. There are many cases in our lives when we choose wealth over knowledge, or when we don't even value the knowledge which we are getting.
You might have even seen children who don't pay attention when the teacher is taking efforts to explain in class, and they prefer last minute studying or taking the help of YouTube. A serious problem which is occurring nowadays is copying during examinations. The main tendency is to achieve easy marks without working hard. Moreover, we see disrespectfulness, ungratefulness, and insolent behavior at a very young age. Hence it is necessary to understand how to have the right knowledge and wealth which will lead one on the right path.
According to our shastras knowledge and wealth must be acquired in a steady manner. ("शनैर् विद्या शनैर् वित्तम्") We all worship Goddess Laxmi for wealth and Goddess Saraswati for knowledge, but we forget Lord Narayan who is the one balancing both the aspects of life. It is rightly referred in this shloka "कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मी करमुले सरस्वती कर्मधे तु गोविन्द प्रभाते कर दर्शनम्" Which means in our palm all three powerful GODS reside and that is why we should take darshan of our palm as soon as we get up in the morning. This will help us to work hard in our life and overcome all the laziness. This will also help us to stay away from BEG, BORROW, OR STEAL ATTITUDE. One will never feel WEAK, HELPLESS OR DEPRESSED in the tough situations in his life.
When one has a firm belief in these thoughts, he will have the power to see, I AM POSSIBLE IN THE WORD IMPOSSIBLE. It is also rightly said in Bhagvad Gita "उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्" Which means that we ourselves are responsible for own elevation, and we must put our best efforts to become successful in our life. We must uplift ourselves by building up qualities of TRUST, LOVE, RESPECT AND GRATITUDE towards GOD, Parents and Teachers. We can also refer to "Shri shukutam" which says that not just money but also "धनं अग्निर् , धनं वायुर् धनं सूर्योर् धनं वसु :" Fire, Sun , Moon, Air, are also considered as Goddess Laxmi. We need to broaden our approach and have gratitude for all of these.
Knowledge sharpens our skills and Wealth gives us Strength. And when these two powers come together and are used for the right purpose, we will move forward in the right direction. For example, Ravana had worshipped both Laxmi and Saraswati, but he did not have the right thoughts, right values and his actions were self - centered. However, he was tied up with bad qualities like Lust, Greed, Anger, Pride and Delusion. And hence ultimately, he was considered a demon and killed by Lord Rama. Whereas his brother Vibhishana believed in GOD and followed Lord Rama and he became the King of Lanka.
Similarly, in our life when we use knowledge and wealth for the right purpose and consider Lord Rama as our role model, we can be a good son/daughter/brother/sister and ultimately a good human being.
Arya K.
X-B (2024-25)
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