Gurbani is considered a treasure trove of wisdom and guidance. Many believe that it holds the answers to life's questions and offers profound insights into living a meaningful and ethical life. However, when it comes to a financial crisis which the whole world is facing at present, we often wonder why the holy scripture ,Guru Granth Sahib Ji ,would have answers to mundane matters like finance. Well, Gurbani is not just about managing our emotional and spiritual aspects but it also guides us on the financial aspects. It has some practical guidelines on managing finance for the long as well as short-term for individuals and organisations.
Core tenets of Gurbani
Gurbani talks about three important criteria for a successful life. First, it's about 'Arth,' which means having enough money and resources. Second, it's 'Dharam,' which means doing your duties sincerely. And the third is 'Kaam,' which means fulfilling your desires and dreams. There's also a fourth thing, 'Mokh' or 'Mukti,' which means being free from evil and ultimately from the cycles of reincarnation by way of the soul merging with God.
But here’s the important part:Individuals should meet these criteria as members of society, not solely in pursuit of self-interest. So, when you work on your economic well-being, it's not just about you. It's also about making society better.
One can achieve economic well-being by either getting a job or starting one’s own business or trade in fields like farming, industry, or commerce. In all cases, people are encouraged to work with integrity.
Verses of Gurbani guiding us on financial matters
Many teachings use everyday examples to explain spiritual concepts. For instance, when a farmer is told to use good, unsplit seeds at the right time for a good crop, it also means that one must let go of duality and have the right mindset for spiritual success. Similarly, when a dyer is advised to bleach raw fabric before dyeing it, it implies that to be spiritually enriched, one must remove negative thoughts and have faith. Guru Nanak says:
ਜੇ ਇਕੁ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਉਗਵੈ ਰੁਤੀ ਹੂ ਰੁਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਪਾਹੈ ਬਾਹਰਾ ਕੋਰੈ ਰੰਗੁ ਨ ਸੋਇ ॥
ਭੈ ਵਿਚਿ ਖੁੰਬਿ ਚੜਾਈਐ ਸਰਮੁ ਪਾਹੁ ਤਨਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਗਤੀ ਜੇ ਰਪੈ ਕੂੜੈ ਸੋਇ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥੧॥ ੧ ੪੬੮
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 colour will be lasting (M: 1, SGGS, p 468).
If the farmer and the dyer don't do things right, their hard work and money won't turn into profits.
It's also crucial to obey the laws of the land to avoid getting in trouble and facing penalties. Guru Nanak believes that those who are fair and honest in their business dealings won't suffer losses.
ਲਾਹਾ ਸਾਚੁ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਤੋਟਾ ॥ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮੁ ਮੋਟਾ ॥੨੮॥ ੧ ੯੩੩
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).
To explain this more clearly, when someone is honest in their actions, they don't have to worry about losing or trying to avoid anything.
ਸਚਾ ਸਉਦਾ ਸਚੁ ਵਾਪਾਰਾ ॥ ਨ ਤਿਥੈ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਪਸਾਰਾ ॥
ਸਚਾ ਧਨੁ ਖਟਿਆ ਕਦੇ ਤੋਟਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਬੂਝੈ ਕੋ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ਹੇ ॥੨॥ ੩ ੧੦੫੦
Have genuine merchandise and clean dealings; there will then be no doubt or extraneous considerations; a discerning person knows that there can be no loss when money is earned honestly (M: 3, SGGS, p 1050).
Gurbani says: Buyer is the king
The true measure of whether a product is good is whether customers like it. In business, people often say that the customer is like a king.
ਵਣਜੁ ਕਰਹੁ ਵਣਜਾਰਿਹੋ ਵਖਰੁ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥ ਤੈਸੀ ਵਸਤੁ ਵਿਸਾਹੀਐ ਜੈਸੀ ਨਿਬਹੈ ਨਾਲਿ ॥
ਅਗੈ ਸਾਹੁ ਸੁਜਾਣੁ ਹੈ ਲੈਸੀ ਵਸਤੁ ਸਮਾਲਿ ॥੧॥ ੧ ੨੨
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).
Not everyone likes all things. Fancy stuff like jewellery and top-notch items will only be worth their true value to folks who know and can afford them. This means that deciding what to sell should depend on what people want to buy.
Water is found beneath the ground and on its surface, yet plants and crops dry up if they aren't given water. Likewise, God resides within each person, but unless the soul rejuvenates itself by recalling and practising Divine virtues, it too weakens. In this comparison, Gurbani explains that a person who hoards money and doesn't use it ,lives miserably. Therefore, money should be used rather than just stored away.
ਗੋਬਿਦ ਭਜਨ ਬਿਨੁ ਬ੍ਰਿਥੇ ਸਭ ਕਾਮ ॥ ਜਿਉ ਕਿਰਪਨ ਕੇ ਨਿਰਾਰਥ ਦਾਮ ॥ ੫ ੨੬੯
The soul achieves nothing without remembering the Master, the way nothing is achieved by a miser’s money (M: 5, SGGS, p 269).
Having the right mindset and attitude is the key .Some people believe that having this attitude won't lead to much progress. However, that's not accurate because development isn't just for now, it's also for the future. People should understand that what they have today is because of the hard work of those who came before them, and they should work for the generations that will follow. It's also important to recognize that wealth is created through the efforts of many people at different levels.
So, it wouldn't be fair if the workers weren't paid fairly while the owners kept most of the money. This can lead to protests, strikes, or business shutdowns, which have negative consequences. It's also true that you can't take your wealth with you when you die; it stays behind. The fifth Guru emphasizes this point. When a person makes money and passes it on to his/her children, it's a good thing. But if people are treated unfairly and denied their rights, they might put curses on those who inherit the money. In the end, even those who receive the money might not benefit, and they will also leave this world with nothing.
One of the big issues the world faces today is trying to live with not enough resources. This leads to governments and people borrowing lots of money, which causes a lot of worry and stress. So, it's important for everyone to make sure their budgets stay balanced. Gurbani suggests this too.
ਜੇ ਕੋਊ ਅਪੁਨੀ ਓਟ ਸਮਾਰੈ ॥ ਜੈਸਾ ਬਿਤੁ ਤੈਸਾ ਹੋਇ ਵਰਤੈ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਬਲੁ ਨਹ ਹਾਰੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ੫ ੬੭੯
One who knows his financial strength, and uses the resources according to availability, does not suffer :Pause: (M: 5, SGGS, p 679).
When one hopes for money or a job from another person, one should check if that person has enough money to fulfil those hopes. Asking for more than the person can give might make both people feel awkward.
The last suggestion
When one starts a job, one should remember that, while at work, personal choices need to be put aside and respect the employer's authority. If this is done, the boss is likely to appreciate and even provide financial rewards. If not, he might face negative consequences.
Gurbani warns against trying to make money through speculation or gambling. The best way is to assess investment options carefully, considering their worth. Someone who speculates or gambles usually ends up with nothing. Bhagat Kabir says this.
ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਕਿਛੁ ਗੁਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥ ਚਲੇ ਜੁਆਰੀ ਦੁਇ ਹਥ ਝਾਰਿ ॥੪॥੨॥ ਕਬੀਰ ੧੧੫੮/੩
Always go by merit; the gambler leaves with both hands empty (Kabir, SGGS, p 1158).
Gurbani encourages individuals to engage in fair and transparent financial practices by promoting integrity and ethical conduct. The holy scripture emphasizes the importance of hard work and diligence, advocating for responsible financial planning and the avoidance of excessive greed or extravagance. The teachings also highlight the value of sharing wealth with those in need, fostering a sense of community and social responsibility. Ultimately, by adhering to the values and principles espoused in Gurbani, individuals can make informed and ethical financial choices that not only benefit themselves but also contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.
*Based on an article by Rawel Singh, published in sadhsangat.com on 19th July 2009