Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 76 : Way of Accumulating Wealth
 

Introductory Note

This chapter is the capitalist’s manifesto – an ethical capitalist of course.

Translation(s)

Nothing exists, except wealth, which can change man from zero to worthy man.

 

Translation(s)

All will despise those who have nothing; all raise the wealthy to the skies.

Explanation

Similar thoughts are graphically put in Naladiyar, 281, 283, 284:

“Though rags he wrap around his lions, a dozen coins
Or so, will gain the wretch respect ‘mid many men!
The man devoid of wealth, though born of noble race,
Is viler than the lifeless corpse!”

“When on the high hill’s crags the Kandal blooms no more,
The crimson-spotted beetle tribe seek not its boughs. –
Lord of the glades where from the crofts they parrots scare-
The pauper has no friends.”

“When wealth is there, like crows around the fallen corpse
Obsequious myriads gather round. When wealth is gone,
As wheels the beetle’s flight, - no one in all the world
Will ask, “Is’t well with you?”

"The poor is hated even by his neighbour.
But those who love rich are many."
- Solomon, Bible, Proverbs, 14:20

Translation(s)

Wealth the unfailing lamp, speeds to every land, dispersing darkness at its lord’s command.

Explanation

In simply words: ‘Money will help you in any region of the world.’ This reminds us of the favorite saying of Nero (Suet. Nero, Cap. XI)

Compare with Verse 397. It appears the learned also travelled to make money.

Translation(s)

Those who can correctly use blameless means, their wealth is source of virtue and of choice delight.

 

Translation(s)

Let man cast of from his embrace, wealth gained by loss of love and grace.

Explanation

Buddha advices us to acquire wealth thru fair means when he asks us have Right Liveli-hood:

“And what, monks, is right Livelihood? There is a case where a disciple of the noble ones having abandoned dishonest livelihood, peeps his life going with right livelihood: This, monks, is called eight livelihood.” [13]

Buddha is addressing individual monks but Thiru-valluvar is talking about kings here. Valluvar addresses the individual on this in Chapter-12 / Verse 112.

Translation(s)

These are the royal revenues: wealth that falls to him as heir, wealth from kingdom’s dues, the spoils of slaughtered foes.

Explanation

This is the only couplet in this chapter that alludes to royal revenues; the other nine are quiet general.

Translation(s)

It is love that kindliness bears us as offspring, and wealth is the bounteous nurse that rears the infant.

Explanation

Wealth helps us in rearing children. Rev. Pope remarks: ‘He who has nothing can bestow nothing on others.’

The photographer of the adjacent photo had this to say:
"Wandering the back streets of Amritser came to a small square with people sorting the rubbish. Nearby a child was trying to sleep amidst the noise of traffic and people. Her pillow a brick wall, her sheet an old sack....Makes you wonder about life doesn't it !"

Translation(s)

He who works with money in his hand, is as the one who takes his stand on the hill he has climbed, to view the strife of elephants.

Explanation

He looks down safety upon the combatants. He can, moreover, hire other, to fight his battles.

Translation(s)

Make money! To chop away foeman’s overgrown insolence, no keener steel his known.

Explanation

This verse, in clear terms and beyond all doubt, says that everyone must aspire and work towards becoming rich.

Translation(s)

Those who have gained plentiest store of glorious wealth, by them other two are easily obtained.

Explanation

Those who have enough wealth can easily obtain the other two – virtue and love

[The three topics of the book are ‘Virtue, Wealth and Enjoyment.’

It is ethical to aspire for wealth and riches. More than that, it is the primary goal as it helps in achieving the other two goals of life – viz. virtue and love or enjoyment.

Thiruvalluvar Statue - Closeup Just After a Light Rain
Kauai's Hindu Monastery, Hawaii, USA
Credit: Irfan Clickr, Flickr

References