Today is Deepavali Day! Deepavali or Diwali as it is commonly called means “an array of lamps.” It is really a most enjoyable festival of lights. It is also a day for worshipping Lakshmi – the Goddess of wealth. So, I begin this posting with prayers to Mahalakshmi.
There were times when I used to feel poor. The first time I felt it hard was at Hong Kong airport sometime in early 70s when I was checking in to fly to Kuala Lumpur. The traffic assistant insisted on weighing my briefcase – and I had to grudgingly pay some fifty and odd dollars towards excess baggage. Standing beside me was a foreigner, a first class passenger, who took out his fat wallet and flashed a wad of crisp hundred dollar bills to pay for the extra bags. By comparison, I really felt poor!
Often, we are carried by envy of the wealthy who lead luxurious lives and merrily spend big money. But as I grow older, my experience tells me that rich parents often make poor parents. I have seen it in family-owned companies, I have also seen it very rich families. After all that worldly experience, I think I am getting a better idea of where my real wealth is hidden.
When my loving parents departed from this world, they left me no property or money. Instead, they left me some hidden treasures – not buried in the ground but deeply endowed in me as parental gifts. Take a peek at my secret wealth.
1. They provided me a solid education that earned me a job even before I got my degree! I distinctly remember (and smell!) the brand new school books that my father had bought for me, wrapped each of them in brown paper and glued name labels written in his bold hand. Many years later, he did the same for his grand kids too!
2. My dear father taught me that money alone does not assure happiness. He often used to say, “You can buy the most expensive ‘dunlopillo’ mattress but it still does not guarantee you sound sleep on it.” Through years of experience, and observation of some of the richest people, I have learnt that wealth does not mean more money.
3. One of the most valuable gifts my parents presented me was abundant love and the power of bonding. They were not rich but they simply poured love on their children and grand children and on neighbours’ kids too!
4. They taught me the value of contentment. Once, I asked my father how he would like to lead his life if he were given an opportunity to start all over again. He replied with an air of supreme contentment, “Exactly the same way that I have done until now."
5. My mother taught me several things. One important thing she advised me was to avoid jealousy or ‘poramai’ as it is called in Tamil. Often, she will warn me about the impact of jealousy on the quality of life. She used to quote a saying in Tamil – “Oru Amai puhundaale Ahaatu, Por amai puhuntal vinaasam thaan." There is a belief that a tortoise (Amai) entering a house is a bad omen. If ‘PorAmai’ (jealousy) enters someone’s mind, it can create havoc.
6. They left for me the hidden wealth of demonstrated but not specifically written down practices in living -of leading a dharmic and honest life, to bear adversity with patience and perseverance, to be a responsible family member and build the bonds of affection with all fellow-members, to remember and perform the shraddam rituals to my ancestors and enjoy life in the simplest of things – like a hug with my grandchildren, watching plants grow, flowers blossom, listening to some melodious music – the list is endless.
There are more such nuggets but I am not going to expose all of them. My secret wealth is something that cannot be measured in dollars –it is in me in the form of undisclosed, intangible assets. The wealth that I have is unsaleable; it cannot be stolen or mortgaged. No law can take them off or tax them.
As years pass by, my secret wealth is worthy of envy - a worth that is fed by knowing more about myself and putting increasing importance in the way I live and interact with people around and not on materials.
Happy Deepavali!
