Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Sookti – April 4, 2020 – Mysore
Compiled by Parimala Eshwarla
Athamāḥ dhana micchanti, dhanamānou tu madhyamāḥ
Uttamā māna micchanti, mānōu hi mahatāṃ dhanam ǁ
In this world, the lowly people chase only wealth. The mediocre seek both wealth and good character. Good character includes self-respect and noble behaviour. Supreme are those who, setting aside even wealth, seek only good character. Isn’t it true that, these virtuous people, hold good character, virtuous nature, good behaviour and good culture as more important than wealth?
Having studied human way of life and mental behaviour, experts in mental sciences (psychologists?) have classified human beings into 3- worst, mediocre and supreme.
To some, earning wealth is the sole goal of life! Among them, some freely spend the wealth thus earned, while some others, hoard the wealth leading a miserly miserable life. They count the coins every day and store them back in the cupboard, but refrain from spending even a penny from it. Such people will not desist from stooping to very low levels for earning wealth. They are willing to cheat, loot and even murder for money. They are the worst among humans.
Now let us discuss about the mediocre. Even these people have unending love for money. They chase comforts and long for a very comfortable life. They aspire to obtain recognition as affluent. They strive for a chance to rule others and to obtain the recognition as a powerful person. However, along with these desires, these people also want self-respect and reverence from society. They cannot tolerate even the slightest insult. Such people hide their wrong deeds. As they give as much weightage to self-respect as they give to earning money, even the slightest insult or stigma drives them to the extent of taking away their lives. Those who commit suicide when faced with difficulties and insults belong to this category.
How do the supreme people behave? Although we are discussing about them last, in aspect of supremacy they are the first. To these people, self-respect and good name is the only thing that is important. They cannot tolerate infamy. They will never commit a wrongful deed nor will they allow others to engage in wrongful deeds. To them, protecting self-respect is far more important than protecting wealth. They are ready to give up wealth in the process of protecting their self-respect. They will never use abusive words that hurt others.
The presence of such supreme people is responsible for the sustenance of dharma in this universe. Through their deeds, works and talk they become the role-model for the universe. Such people are devoid of ego. Feelings of I-ness does not exist in them. They eternally abide by truthfulness. Due to their focus on God, they ensure their life is fruitful. Wealth comes and seeks shelter in them. They use such wealth only for meritorious purposes. They obtain joy seeing the joyful faces of those around them. To them, self-respect is as valuable as wealth.