Kamdhenu The Wish Cow

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Ahimsa Research Foundation

Page 94

KAMADHENU there is feeling of possessiveness, selfishness or pride then that charity cannot be treated as accompanied by sacrifice. The sages have said that just as we do not turn to look at our excreta we should also not turn back to see our charity. The thought of termination of wealth in charity is its success.
One who uses up is better than one who accumulates. So the poet says that the clouds which shower and go away are better than the lakes and the philanthropists deserve praise over the ones who amass wealth. Millions come and millions go away from this world without a trace, Only the one that has achieved something is remembered forever.
The sage Bhartruhari has said that if wealth has been acquired by self, it should be treated as a daughter. If wealth has been acquired by one's father and passed on as a legacy, it should be treated as a sister. If wealth is acquired by someone else, it should be treated as another's wife. Howsoever one may love a daughter or a sister, one cannot hold her back in the house where she is born for a long time. Therefore, wealth acquired by any one of these three means is not worthy of accumulating. So the pious souls believe that there is welfare in sacrifice or charity rather than in developing attachment for wealth.
Wealth primarily goes out in three directions - enjoyment, theft and charity. Wealth is destroyed through overindulgence, enjoyment and addiction. It is also destroyed through theft, looting, swindling and plunder. That wealth grows which is acquired through just means