The word ‘artha’ in Hindi has a dual meaning. It means ‘money’ and it also denotes ‘meaning’. Yet, all artha – money or wealth – doesn’t necessarily have artha – meaning or value. We earn money to sustain ourselves and to lead a comfortable life. This money is essentially in the form of currency, which plays out in various transactions, or prices in our daily lives. But to grow, money needs to have meaning and value. And there are some time-tested ways, money can find meaning. One, money must find flow, movement, or currency. It must find a path for broader usage, utility and growth. It is useless when hoarded without any utility to the one who possesses it. Statesman and philosopher Kautilya defined hoarded wealth as vyartha, a liability. For artha to be in shape and to prosper, it must be used in transactions – either as an investment, or as expenditure. Two, money must be given time to grow. Time affords prosperity through the power of compounding and patience. A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), for instance, demonstrates how it works wonders in mutual funds. The virtue of patience also serves us well while dealing in stocks. Business magnate and philanthropist Warren Buffett says, “The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.” Three, money is safe and grows only in good hands and good company. Apart from our healthy habits, the right advice or counselling from well-meaning friends and advisers helps us manage money well. We know how, in the Mahabharat, the counselling of Shakuni led to Duryodhan’s fall. If we are surrounded by people who have sumati, noble intent, risks of our losing money are less. Four, sources and usage of money need to be fair and auspicious. Means of earning money and ends for its use need to be transparent, fair and ethical. Any artha, wealth, gained through the path of adharma, unrighteousness, finally results in anartha, disaster. -Ram Krishna Sinha
