The global financial system is currently in turmoil. Some one overwhelmed by the situation asked a question:
“What are down-to-earth answers drawn from Gurbani to help people tackling this world financial crisis; in pragmatic terms is it possible to create a counseling service based on Gurbani, the Guruโs words”?
Another person who heard this question thought the questioner was being humorous because Gurbani cannot be dealing with such mundane matters. The fact however is that while Gurbani is not a study of management practices specifically it is a complete guide on almost all aspects of life. It gives some practical guidelines to mange finances both on long term and short term basis for individuals as well as for organizations.
Gurbani identifies โArthโ, which means โeconomic well-beingโ as one the three fundamental criteria for a successful life. The other two are โDharamโ or โdutifulnessโ which means doing oneโs duties sincerely, and โKaamโ or fulfillment of desires and aspirations. There is also the fourth criterion of โMokhโ or โMuktiโ i.e. release from bondage of evil and ultimately from the cycles of reincarnation by way of the soul merging in God. All these criteria are to be satisfied being a part of the society and not in self-interest alone. Efforts for personal economic well-being are therefore to form part of oneโs contribution towards development for the benefit of the society.
One can work towards economic well-being either by taking a job or being self employed in a profession of oneโs choice. Self employment avenues are identified in agriculture, industry and business or trade. In all cases man (or woman) is motivated to work in righteousness.
As may be expected many of the teachings are through metaphorswhereby mundane ideas understood in every day life are applied to spirituality. For example telling the farmer that to get a good crop, he must ensure that the seed is good (whole, not split) and is sowed in the right season, also means that for spiritual success one must shed duality and have the right state of mind. Similarly when the dyer is advised that a raw fabric must be bleached before it is dyed it also implies that without getting rid of the evil thoughts and having faith one cannot expect to be imbued with spirituality. Guru Nanak says:
เจเฉ เจเจเฉ เจนเฉเจ เจค เจเจเจตเฉ เจฐเฉเจคเฉ เจนเฉ เจฐเฉเจคเจฟ เจนเฉเจ เฅฅ เจจเจพเจจเจ เจชเจพเจนเฉ เจฌเจพเจนเจฐเจพ เจเฉเจฐเฉ เจฐเฉฐเจเฉ เจจ เจธเฉเจ เฅฅ เจญเฉ เจตเจฟเจเจฟ เจเฉเฉฐเจฌเจฟ เจเฉเจพเจเจ เจธเจฐเจฎเฉ เจชเจพเจนเฉ เจคเจจเจฟ เจนเฉเจ เฅฅ เจจเจพเจจเจ เจญเจเจคเฉ เจเฉ เจฐเจชเฉ เจเฉเฉเฉ เจธเฉเจ เจจ เจเฉเจ เฅฅเฉงเฅฅเฉงเฉชเฉฌเฉฎ
A seed can blossom when it is whole and is sowed in the right season; a raw fabric cannot be dyed without being bleached; condition the mind with obedience to laws of nature and hard work; now dye the mind with devotion and the color will be lasting (M: 1, SGGS, p 468).
Unless the farmer and the dyer follow the correct procedures their investments and efforts will not be profitable.
Another very important teaching is to follow the laws of the land in order not to be found guilty of misdemeanor resulting in loss or punishment. Guru Nanak says that one who is honest and clean in business dealings never suffers loss.
เจฒเจพเจนเจพ เจธเจพเจเฉ เจจ เจเจตเฉ เจคเฉเจเจพ เฅฅ เจคเฉเจฐเจฟเจญเจตเจฃ เจ เจพเจเฉเจฐเฉ เจชเฉเจฐเฉเจคเจฎเฉ เจฎเฉเจเจพ เฅฅเฉจเฉฎเฅฅ เฉง เฉฏเฉฉเฉฉ
If we aim at honest profits there will never be loss;
the laws of the master of the universe (and the land) are powerful (M: 1, SGGS, p 933).
As further elaboration of this, if oneโs dealings are clean, there is no fear of loss or need to ciecumvent any thing:
เจธเจเจพ เจธเจเจฆเจพ เจธเจเฉ เจตเจพเจชเจพเจฐเจพ เฅฅ เจจ เจคเจฟเจฅเฉ เจญเจฐเจฎเฉ เจจ เจฆเฉเจเจพ เจชเจธเจพเจฐเจพ เฅฅ
เจธเจเจพ เจงเจจเฉ เจเจเจฟเจ เจเจฆเฉ เจคเฉเจเจฟ เจจ เจเจตเฉ เจฌเฉเจเฉ เจเฉ เจตเฉเจเจพเจฐเฉ เจนเฉ เฅฅเฉจเฅฅเฉฉเฉงเฉฆเฉซเฉฆ
Have genuine merchandise and clean dealings; there will then be no doubt or extraneous considerations;
a discerning person knows that there can be no los when money is earned honestly (M: 3, SGGS, p 1050).
The ultimate test of merchandise being acceptable is the liking of the customers. They say in business buyer is the king:
เจตเจฃเจเฉ เจเจฐเจนเฉ เจตเจฃเจเจพเจฐเจฟเจนเฉ เจตเจเจฐเฉ เจฒเฉเจนเฉ เจธเจฎเจพเจฒเจฟเฅฅเจคเฉเจธเฉ เจตเจธเจคเฉ เจตเจฟเจธเจพเจนเฉเจ เจเฉเจธเฉ เจจเจฟเจฌเจนเฉ เจจเจพเจฒเจฟเฅฅ
เจ เจเฉ เจธเจพเจนเฉ เจธเฉเจเจพเจฃเฉ เจนเฉ เจฒเฉเจธเฉ เจตเจธเจคเฉ เจธเจฎเจพเจฒเจฟเฅฅเฉงเฅฅเฉงเฉจเฉจ
A business man should ensure the quality of the merchandise; choose only such merchandise that will last (be in demand for long); the king (buyer) is wise, he will then accept the merchandise (M: 1, SGS, p 22).
All merchandise is not accepted by all; expensive items like jewels or high quality goods will fetch the correct value only from those who understand them and have the resources to purchase them:
เจฐเจคเจจเจพ เจชเจพเจฐเจเฉ เจเฉ เจนเฉเจตเฉ เจธเฉ เจฐเจคเจจเจพ เจเจฐเฉ เจตเฉเจเจพเจฐเฉ เฅฅ เจฐเจคเจจเจพ เจธเจพเจฐ เจจ เจเจพเจฃเจ เจ เจเจฟเจเจจเฉ เจ เฉฐเจงเฉ เจ เฉฐเจงเจพเจฐเฉเฅฅ เฉฉเฉซเฉฎเฉฏ
Only one who understands jewels can evaluate them; an ignorant person does not know their value (M: 3, SGGS, p 589).
This envisages that demand evaluation should determine the type of merchandise to be marketed.
There is water under and on the earth but the plants and crops wither if not watered. Similarly God abides within us but if the soul does not refresh itself through remembering and emulating Divine virtues it also withers. Using this metaphor Gurbani says that a miser hoards money but by not putting it to use himself lives in a wretched state. Money should therefore be put to use and not just kept stashed somewhere:
เจเฉเจฌเจฟเจฆ เจญเจเจจ เจฌเจฟเจจเฉ เจฌเฉเจฐเจฟเจฅเฉ เจธเจญ เจเจพเจฎ เฅฅ เจเจฟเจ เจเจฟเจฐเจชเจจ เจเฉ เจจเจฟเจฐเจพเจฐเจฅ เจฆเจพเจฎ เฅฅ เฉซเฉจเฉฌเฉฏ
The soul achieves nothing without remembering the Master, the way nothing is achieved by a miserโs money (M: 5, SGGS, p 269).
Too little or too much money is a cause for worry. One should work to earn enough for now and the future but not hoard it. Running after money creates more craving and one is never satiated:
เจเจฟเจธเฉ เจเฉเจฐเจฟเจนเจฟ เจฌเจนเฉเจคเฉ เจคเจฟเจธเฉ เจเฉเจฐเจฟเจนเจฟ เจเจฟเฉฐเจคเจพ เฅฅ เจเจฟเจธเฉ เจเฉเจฐเจฟเจนเจฟ เจฅเฉเจฐเฉ เจธเฉ เจซเจฟเจฐเฉ เจญเฉเจฐเจฎเฉฐเจคเจพ เฅฅ
เจฆเฉเจนเฉ เจฌเจฟเจตเจธเจฅเจพ เจคเฉ เจเฉ เจฎเฉเจเจคเจพ เจธเฉเจ เจธเฉเจนเฉเจฒเจพ เจญเจพเจฒเฉเจ เฅฅเฉงเฅฅเฉซเฉงเฉฆเฉงเฉฏ
One who has excessive wealth worries about its security; one who is short of money runs around to get it; one who is outside these two states is happy (M: 3, SGGS, p 1019).
เจธเจนเจธ เจเจเฉ เจฒเจ เจเจ เจเจ เจฟ เจงเจพเจตเฉ เฅฅ เจคเฉเจฐเจฟเจชเจคเจฟ เจจ เจเจตเฉ เจฎเจพเจเจ เจชเจพเจเฉ เจชเจพเจตเฉ เฅฅ
เจ เจจเจฟเจ เจญเฉเจ เจฌเจฟเจเจฟเจ เจเฉ เจเจฐเฉ เฅฅ เจจเจน เจคเฉเจฐเจฟเจชเจคเจพเจตเฉ เจเจชเจฟ เจเจชเจฟ เจฎเจฐเฉ เฅฅ
เจฌเจฟเจจเจพ เจธเฉฐเจคเฉเจ เจจเจนเฉ เจเฉเจ เจฐเจพเจเฉ เฅฅ เจธเฉเจชเจจ เจฎเจจเฉเจฐเจฅ เจฌเฉเจฐเจฟเจฅเฉ เจธเจญ เจเจพเจเฉ เฅฅ เฉซเฉจเฉญเฉฎ
When man has earned thousands he runs after millions;
there is no satisfaction when one chases wealth;
with money man indulges in vices but gets no satisfaction and wears himself out;
because no one who lacks contentment can be satisfied;
(one must not keep running after money because)
life is transitory like the experience in a dream (M: 5, SGS, p 278).
Some people will say that with this attitude there will hardly be any development. That is not true because development is not only for the present but also for the future. Man should realize that what he inherited was due to the efforts of his predecessors and he should work for the generations to come. It should also be noted that wealth is created with the efforts of a lot of people at different levels. It would therefore be unjust if the work force is not appropriately compensated and the owners keep pocketing most of the wealth. This results in agitations, strikes or shut downs with adverse effects. It is also a fact that wealth does not accompany one on death but is left behind. The fifth Guru says:
เจเจฐเจฟ เจ เจจเจฐเจฅ เจฆเจฐเจฌเฉ เจธเฉฐเจเจฟเจ เจธเฉ เจเจพเจฐเจเจฟ เจเฉเจคเฉ เฅฅ เจเฉเจธเจพ เจฌเฉเจเฉ เจธเฉ เจฒเฉเจฃเฉ เจเจฐเจฎ เจเจนเฉ เจเฉเจคเฉ เฅฅเฉซเฉญเฉฆเฉฌ
What good is wealth earned through unfair actions;
remember life is the field of deeds, one reaps as one sows (M:5, SGGS, p 706).
It may be argued that man earns money and leaves for his progeny. That is right but the curses by those unjustly deprived of their rights will also affect those who receive this money and ultimately those mortals also will depart empty handed:
เจฒเฉเจฆเจพ เจฌเจฆ เจฆเฉเจเจ เจคเฉเฉฐ เจฎเจพเจเจ เจเจฐเจนเจฟ เจเจเจค เฅฅ เจเจฟเจธ เจจเฉ เจคเฉเฉฐ เจชเจคเฉเจเจเจฆเจพ เจธเฉ เจธเจฃเฉ เจคเฉเจเฉ เจ เจจเจฟเจค เฅฅ เฉซเฉชเฉจ
You receive curses when you gather wealth unjustly; your family members for whose benefit you do this will, like you, also not last for ever (M: 5, SGGS, p 42).
One of the major problems being faced in the world today is trying to live beyond available resources. This has resulted in huge deficit financing by governments and individual debts. These cause unnecessary worries and stress. It is therefore important that budgets are kept balanced at all levels; Gurbani advises:
เจเฉ เจเฉเจ เจ เจชเฉเจจเฉ เจเจ เจธเจฎเจพเจฐเฉ เฅฅ
เจเฉเจธเจพ เจฌเจฟเจคเฉ เจคเฉเจธเจพ เจนเฉเจ เจตเจฐเจคเฉ เจ เจชเฉเจจเจพ เจฌเจฒเฉ เจจเจน เจนเจพเจฐเฉ เฅฅเฉงเฅฅ เจฐเจนเจพเจ เฅฅ เฉซ เฉฌเฉญเฉฏ
One who knowss his financial strength, and uses the resources according to availability, does not suffer :Pause: (M: 5, SGGS, p 679).
As an extrapolation, it also means that when expecting financial support from some one or looking for a job it should be seen if the concerned benefactor will be able meet your aspirations based on his financial position. Any expectation beyond that may cause embarrassment.
Sheikh Farid puts it this way:
เจซเจฐเฉเจฆเจพ เจเฉ เจเจพเจฃเจพ เจคเจฟเจฒ เจฅเฉเฉเฉเฉ เจธเฉฐเจฎเจฒเจฟ เจฌเฉเจเฉ เจญเจฐเฉ เฅฅ เจซ เฉงเฉฉเฉญเฉฎ
When I know that the kitty is limited I should be careful when taking out (Farid, SGGS, p 1378).
This also applies when making investments. In this regard investments using borrowed money are risky because it may happen, as it some times does, that the interest keeps building and at the same time the capital goes down. Bhagat Kabir says:
เจฎเฉเจนเจฟ เจเจธเฉ เจฌเจจเจ เจธเจฟเจ เจจเจนเฉเจจ เจเจพเจเฉ เฅฅเจเจฟเจน เจเจเฉ เจฎเฉเจฒเฉ เจจเจฟเจค เจฌเจขเฉ เจฌเจฟเจเจเฉ เฅฅ เจฐเจนเจพเจ เฅฅ เจ เฉงเฉงเฉฏเฉซ
I will have nothing to do with a business in which the capital keeps reducingwhile the interest on borrowed funds keeps rising (Kabir, SGGS, p 1195).
When one takes a job it should be kept in mind that at work personal choices are to be subordinated and supremacy of the employer accepted. If this is followed the employee is liked by the boss and also rewarded financially, if not he suffers:
เจเจพเจเจฐเฉ เจฒเจเฉ เจเจพเจเจฐเฉ เจเฉ เจเจฒเฉ เจเจธเจฎเฉ เจญเจพเจเฅฅ
เจนเฉเจฐเจฎเจคเจฟ เจคเจฟเจธ เจจเฉ เจ เจเจฒเฉ เจเจนเฉ เจตเจเจนเฉ เจญเจฟ เจฆเฉเจฃเจพ เจเจพเจเฅฅ
เจเจธเจฎเฉ เจเจฐเฉ เจฌเจฐเจพเจฌเจฐเฉ เจซเจฟเจฐเจฟ เจเฉเจฐเจคเจฟ เจ เฉฐเจฆเจฐเจฟ เจชเจพเจเฅฅ
เจตเจเจนเฉ เจเจตเจพเจ เจ เจเจฒเจพ เจฎเฉเจนเฉ เจฎเฉเจนเจฟ เจชเจพเจฃเจพ เจเจพเจเฅฅ
เจเจฟเจธ เจฆเจพ เจฆเจฟเจคเจพ เจเจพเจตเจฃเจพ เจคเจฟเจธเฉ เจเจนเฉเจ เจธเจพเจฌเจพเจธเจฟ เฅฅ
เจจเจพเจจเจ เจนเฉเจเจฎเฉ เจจ เจเจฒเจ เจจเจพเจฒเจฟ เจเจธเจฎ เจเจฒเฉ เจ เจฐเจฆเจพเจธเจฟ เฅฅเฉจเฉจเฅฅ เฉจเฉชเฉญเฉช
If an employee works according to the employerโs directions,
he receives recognition and better compensation;
if he shows arrogance and shows to be equal to the boss he will be sorry;
he will lose compensation and be punished.
One who provides the source of livelihood should be acknowledged
(M: 1, SGGS, p 474).
Gurbani cautions against speculation or gambling for making money. It is best to evaluate the investment avenues based on merit. A speculator or gambler ultimately goes empty handed. Bhagat Kabir says:
เจเจนเจฟ เจเจฌเฉเจฐ เจเจฟเจเฉ เจเฉเจจเฉ เจฌเฉเจเจพเจฐเจฟ เฅฅ เจเจฒเฉ เจเฉเจเจฐเฉ เจฆเฉเจ เจนเจฅ เจเจพเจฐเจฟ เฅฅเฉชเฅฅเฉจเฅฅ เจเจฌเฉเจฐเฉงเฉงเฉซเฉฎ/เฉฉ
Always go by merit; the gambler leaves with both hands empty (Kabir, SGGS, p 1158).
All in all Gurbani asks people to play by the rules and plan business and expenses wisely.
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