Manava Dharma

Author(s): Bhurmal Shastri, Nihalchandra Jain
Publisher: Aacharya Gyansagar Vagartha Vimarsha Kendra

Page 24

2 / MANAV DHARMA
and comforts, proved to be a challenge to the very existence of life itself. This is the condition of all such people who possess riches. Now take an example of a Bhil, for whom a diamond has no value but at the same time, for him, a GHANGUCHI, so called CHIRMI*, is valuable. He joyfully makes a necklace of the same and after wearing it, he derives a great pleasure Now let us just think as to wha should be termed as 'Lakshmi'. A thing is valuable to a person as per the knowledge at his command; it is his knowledge that makes him feel that only that has value which is valuable for him and hence for him the same is precious. When we think that iron is not precious we throw it on the road and put gold, silver and diamonds in the safes. But on the other hand a warrior carefully preserves his sword, which is made of iron. A person, who realises and feels the value of time, purchases a wrist watch even after sacrificing money for the same, say Rs. 150 - Rs.200.
Once a wood-cutter, during the course of collecting woods in jungle, found a shiny round pebble known as “CHINTAMANI”. Seeing that he valued it as nothing but merely as a very attractive round piece of stone. He picked it up , brought home, and gave his child to play with it. He was totally unaware about the miraculous properties of that stone. He was not aware that this stone is capable of removing all his poverty. At night the need to light the earthen lamp - 'deepak' was not felt as the fast glow of that stone "CHINTAMANI” lighted up his whole hut. He was much pleased to see the monetary gain which was to be spent for oil. Though overjoyed, he was still unaware of the hidden secrets in the stone, which could cause miracles and as such, he continues to go to jungle, as usual, cutting and picking up the woods and there by earning his bread.
One day a jeweller happens to pass nearby the house of the wood-cutter. He explained to wood-cutter as to why he was going to jungle, when the miraculous, lustrous stone in his house is capable of getting every thing desired. Picking up the hint of the jeweller the wood-cutter demanded the delicious food (like KHIR) and he got it at once. Again for covering his body, a good blanket was desired and he immediatly got it. Further a constructed house/room was demanded or desired and that too was made available. Thus the woodcutter was now a wealthy person..
Pausing for a moment when we think about "What is wealth"“Lakshmi'? The answer would be knowledge,” Gyan" is wealth. Without
* Chirmi is a small black dotted red seed used as a 'Ratti' to weigh all precious metals.