Dharma in work

Dharma in work

Thanks to western influence we have associated work with only returns and benefit or profit. It’s not that we didn’t have wage concept in Indian Civilization. It was there. But that was the byproduct of the work, not the be-all of the work! And that’s how money earned became ‘artha’ understood loosely as ‘finance or money’. But it is not so! The actual meaning of ‘artha’ in Sanskrit is ‘that which is born of buddhi (intellect) and dharma. It also means ‘purpose, that is helpful to others and humans, that is of good service to the society’.

In short the money earned via means that generates some good to the society becomes ‘artha’ otherwise it becomes ‘anartha’ – meaning that which causes bad to the one who owns it, earns it or work for it.

Let’s move ahead of this meaning now. Now what does working as per ‘dharma’ mean? How to know and how to earn one’s livelihood via ‘dharma’?

Whenever a person works without expecting anything in return then know him to be working in line with ‘dharma’.

Working without returns doesn’t mean giving out ‘sub-par’ performance or treatment to your job. Every work that a man undertakes should be his ‘best’ at that point of time. 

Let’s suppose a man is one making screws. Another man comes along and ask him “so you make screws for a living?” our man replies with a sense of pride “NO! I make the best screws in town!” (With the extra stress on the ‘the best’). 

Every man should be the best version of him in the field and job that he is assigned. He should’ve known everything about his job there is to know. He should’ve read, understood and applied everything about his job. His job should become finer and finer over time. 

He should make it look effortless to the on looker as he performs his job. Imagine a gymnast performing in Olympics. He makes it look so effortless that the onlooker thinks it is very simple and easy. Some even assume it is so easy that even they can do it. The years of training and hard work is not visible when you see ‘the champion’ perform. That is perfection at its best! 

Contd.......

# financial abundance, wealth, dharma, arthashashtra, freedom in and through wealth creation, creation of wealth, skill and ability, perfection, 

also read : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=legacy 

questions addressed : 

• How is 'Dharma' connected to earnings?
• How can ones job become his means of redemption?
• What is the quality to be developed that will make a man priceless? 
• How to increase your self worth




Points to be understood :

• Know the difference between being the best and being excellent?
• One takes you to hell and the other towards heaven. Know the difference.
• Dharma in work

Today's miracle :

I saw sunset.