Wealth is a blessing of God

Having wealth is a blessing from God. There are definitely karmic punya associated with such blessings. But I have different opinions on how one should project their wealth in society. Showing off wealth is definitely a projection of one's power and status. Such a projection is a result of worldly attachment and strengthens the ahamkara. This further creates the falling of Atma and tightens the bondage of Bhu Loka. It makes it challenging to come out of the cycle of birth and death.

One who has all the wealth yet remains unattached is called a Jivan-Mukta. Raja Janak was such an excellent example of jivan mukta, a higher soul, the greatest of great sages. Janaka is revered as an ideal example of non-attachment to material possessions. He was intensely interested in spiritual discourse and considered himself free from worldly illusions. His interactions with sages and seekers, such as Ashtavakra and Sulabha, are recorded in ancient texts. He was the guru of the great son of Vyasdev ji, called Sukdeva ji. He initiated him in the sadhakshri "हरे राम कृष्ण" (six-syllable mantra) “Hare Ram Krishna,” known as the Janak Sadhakshri mantra.

Raja Janak In Meditation

The same mantra was given by Shri Chaitantya mahaprabhu in form 16 Syllable Mala mantra as "हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे, हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे" to crossover the kalyuga.

In the fabric of spiritual traditions, the perception and management of wealth transcend mere material accumulation and align closely with profound existential concepts. Wealth, regarded as a divine blessing, carries with it responsibilities and spiritual implications. The notion of flaunting wealth, though often seen as a demonstration of power and status, is fundamentally a manifestation of worldly attachment. This behaviour not only amplifies one's ego (ahamkar) but also ensnares the soul (atma) further into the material realm (bhu loka), hindering the liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

The essence of true spiritual enlightenment lies in the delicate balance between possessing wealth and remaining unattached to it. A 'Jivan-Mukta', an individual who, despite being amidst wealth, remains detached from the materialistic bindings, embodies the pinnacle of spiritual achievement. King Janaka, revered in ancient scriptures, stands as a quintessential example of such enlightened detachment. His life was a testament to the possibility of living in opulence while being free from the illusions of the material world. His engagements with sages and philosophers underscored his profound interest in spiritual discourse, not as a monarch, but as a seeker of truth.

Janaka's legacy, including his initiation of Sukdeva into the spiritual mantra “Hare Ram Krishna”, illustrates the power of spiritual wisdom in transcending worldly attachments. This mantra, further popularised by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as a sixteen-syllable chant, offers a path to navigate through the challenges of the material age (Kalyuga), emphasising the timeless relevance of spiritual values over material possession.

Reflecting on wealth and its place in society, the narrative of Janaka and the philosophy of detachment offer invaluable insights. They teach that true liberation and fulfilment lie not in the display of wealth, but in the cultivation of a spirit unencumbered by material attachments, a journey towards becoming a 'Jivan-Mukta'.

Om Tat Sat