Srimad Bhagavatam – day 611
Poverty is the eye ointment which bestows wisdom upon the arrogant, who is blinded due to opulence
Narayana Krishna
Poverty is the eye ointment which bestows wisdom upon the arrogant, who is blinded due to opulence enjoyed by this gross body. Poverty puts him back on the right track. It reinstates him as a human being. Don’t we often come across rich people, who upon suddenly losing all their wealth, rush to temples to perform pujas or rituals of every type? Their concentration on their wealth had earlier prevented them from reaching out to God. Blinded due to wealth, they would have disregarded elders, seniors and every other person in the society. They would have had no respect for those who explain spiritual subjects. They would have paid a deaf ear to spiritual subject and in fact would have ridiculed them. An unbelievable transformation is undergone by such persons when, all of a sudden, their wealth is eroded.
Likewise, there are many who instead of enjoying the wealth, invest the same in some business. When this business runs into loss, a sudden awakening takes place. They desperately search for Swamijis or Gurus and God who can rescue them. They chase astrologers. They use the remaining money for Yagnas and other rituals with the intent of regaining the lost wealth. They strive to return back to their original glory. This is arrogance caused by wealth.
It is the same with those who are conceited due to authority or power. They fail to lead contented lives after losing power. They find it difficult to sleep peacefully without the band of followers who eternally butter them. If there is none to flatter them on any day, they feel depressed, so much so that they can neither eat properly nor sleep peacefully. This arises from the arrogance of power. If without warning, one fine morning, power is snatched away from them, then what is to be their fate? Can you imagine? They become miserable.
Therefore, even when we are opulent, even when we are extremely learned, and even when we hold most-distinguished positions, we should lead simple, sattvik lives devoid of arrogance. The person who eats pure food, who mingles with the pious and who uses his wealth or power to help others, will be able to lead contented life with meagre resources even if unexpectedly wealth or power is snatched away or even if his learning fails to bring in money. The beauty of knowledge is that it cannot be stolen. Using that knowledge, we can at least try to associate with a Sadguru and serve Him.
Here it is said that poverty shows the right path to the person who is blinded due to opulence. I have seen many people go through this. Therefore, right now when you are opulent, be vigilant. Take the right steps. What is so special if you are wealthy? What is so remarkable in holding a distinguished, powerful position? So what if you are learned? Knowledge should lead to humility not arrogance. Wealth should be accompanied by charitable activities. Authority and power should lead to increased compassion. Hence cultivate these noble qualities. Compassion, charitable attitude, humility and such noble qualities direct us to the right path.
“Dire poverty is the right medication for the person who is self-conceited due to opulence. This is because only a poor man has feelings of equal-mindedness towards everyone, including animals, birds, and other humans. Poverty fills the person with feelings of friendliness towards one and all!
Yathā kaṇṭaka-viddhāṅgo jantor necchati tāṁ vyathām
Jīva-sāmyaṁ gato liṅgair na tathāviddha-kaṇṭakaḥ”
What a wonderful lesson is contained in this hymn! Maharishi Vedavyasa has compassionately passed on such valuable teachings to us through this sacred Bhagavatam. Although every verse is filled with meaning, I am selecting only a few. Bhagavatam has been compared to a fruit in which there is no residue. We are advised to eat the fruit completely. What is the fruit that Bhagavatam showers upon us? Nigama-kalpa-taror galitaṁ phalaṁ -It showers that ultimate liberation which takes us away from this endless cycle of re-births. Śuka-mukhād amṛta-drava-saṁyutam pibata bhāgavataṁ rasam ālayaṁ – drink this fruit called Bhagavatam which was thrown by the bird called Maharishi Śuka.
Here we are asked to drink the fruit, not eat it. Bhagavatam is nectar that should be drunk.
Let us now understand the meaning of the hymn:
“Yathā kaṇṭaka-viddhāṅgo jantor necchati tāṁ vyathām
Jīva-sāmyaṁ gato liṅgair na tathāviddha-kaṇṭakaḥ
Only when a thorn pierces the body, the person experiences pain, not otherwise. How can a person, who has never been pricked by a thorn, understand the pain of one who has been pricked?”
When the person who is suffering states, ‘I am unable to walk’, the friend who is unaffected by the pain will say “It’s ok. Just walk. Nothing will go wrong. Let’s continue to walk”.
Narayana