Does Hinduism preach poverty?

Modern people have a tendency to see wealth as a product of corruption or wickedness.  There are several reason for this, but there are two major ones.  The first reason is experience.  We are now in (or exiting) the age of Kali Yuga (age of vice), and so the traditional roles of society have often times been reversed, with unscrupulous persons having all the wealth while noble and virtuous people live in squalor. The second major reason is that according to the philosophy of many modern ideologies, wealth is inherently tainted with evil, whether on a spiritual or social level. But what does Hinduism have to say about wealth and how should we look at this very important aspect of human existence? According to traditional interpretations of Hinduism, there are four main purposes in life, Artha (wealth), Kama (pleasure), Dharma (virtue/duty) and Moksha (liberation). Now it should suffice to say that Artha, wealth, is not just material riches, but also includes wealth of knowledge, wealth of spirit, wealth of friends and family, wealth of intelligence and emotion. While most do not include these kinds of wealth in their negative view of riches, many have a tendency to see material wealth and the desire for it to be destructive and a sign of spiritual weakness. While again, these sentiments can be true during the age of Kali Yuga, Hindu scriptures do teach us that wealth and the desire for it is far from sinful but is indeed supposed to be a blessing for righteous people.

It would be impossible to quote each instance for the praise of wealth and its connection to the divine powers in Hinduism, but below I have collected a few verses I believe get the point across. According to the Vedas, wealth is not the domain of ignorant or demonic forces, wealth is the rightful property and domain of the devas and it is these benevolent forces which make it possible for humans to obtain wealth in the first place. Because wealth is viewed as a divine gift in the Vedas, true worshipers have no shame of asking for wealth in their prayers and even craving it… why should we be ashamed to crave what is good and sent from the higher powers of heaven? Indeed, according to the Vedas the gods are wealth itself! The Vedas also mention that we should desire to gain great wealth with “light labor” meaning it is not the intention of the gods for us to struggle for wealth, but for us to be able to obtain it easily. In opposition to today’s thinking about “earning your own way” in Vedic morality it is actually viewed as a good thing for wealth to be inherited from ancestors, there is no reason not to send good things into the future for your children, and that includes wealth. However, it should me mentioned that the gods do not hand wealth out indiscriminately, they do not show favor on those who “sleep” (are lazy) or who give up cheap and half-harted prayers; you do need to earn your comforts. And finally, under ideal circumstances, wealth is supposed to be taken from the malignant and greedy; people without virtue do not deserve such pleasures.

Wealth belongs to the gods and they give it in ample
O Loving God! This whole world with its wealth belongs to you. You are the One who has given us life. You give us the love and protection of a father. You are our friend. You make us strong and brave. You defend the doers of virtuous deeds. You make it possible for men to acquire hundreds and thousands of material possessions. Good men flock to you. – Rig Veda 1.31.10

The celestial races give wealth
FOR the Celestial Race this song of praise which gives wealth lavishly. Was made by singers with their lips. – Rig Veda 1.20.1

Devotees light fires to obtain wealth
The Gods, adored with brilliant fires. have granted precious wealth to us. So, with bright fires, we pray to thee. – Rig Veda 1.26.7

Devotees are not ashamed to crave for wealth
O Mighty Ones, ye gave Sudas abundant food, brought on your treasure-laden car; So now vouchsafe to us the wealth which many crave, either from heaven or from the sea. – Rig Veda 1.47.6

The devotees find no sin in invoking the gods for wealth
By thoughtful invocation this may we obtain, obtain great wealth, O Wealthy One, with Hero sons, wealth that is sweet with hero sons. – Rig Veda 1.129.7

The gods are wealth itselfThou, Agni, cherished well, art highest vital power; in thy delightful hue are glories visible. Thou art the lofty might that furthers each design: thou art wealth manifold, diffused on every side. – Rig Veda 2.1.12

Wealth should be obtained easilyMay Usas whose auspicious rays are seen resplendent round about, Grant us great riches, fair in form, of all good things, wealth which light labour may attain – Rig Veda 1.48.13

It is good to inherit wealth
Aided by thee, O Agni, may we conquer steeds with steeds, men with men, heroes with heroes, Lords of the wealth transmitted by our fathers: and may our princes live a hundred winters. – Rig Veda 1.73.9

Wealth is not bestowed upon the lazyWE will present fair praise unto the Mighty One, our hymns to Indra in Vivasvdn’s dwelling-place; For he hath ne’er found wealth in those who seem to sleep: those who give wealth to men accept no paltry praise. Rig Veda 1.53.1

The wealth of wicked persons should be consumed
FOR Jatavedas let us press the Soma: may he consume the wealth of the malignant. May Agni carry us through all our troubles, through grief as in a boat across the river. Rig Veda 1.99.1

The Mahabarata is an epic story which teaches Hindus the way a proper society should run and provides us with vital lessons about why civilizations fail or flourish. The lessons in the Mahabarata on wealth are literally endless, below are just a few gems of wisdom on the subject.  According to these scriptures, wealth is harmless as long as it is obtained through exertion, meaning you actually have to do something useful to get it.  Only when wealth is obtained idly does it become a source of evil. However, don’t forget, just because you have to work for it does not mean the work has to be difficult or unpleasant. While wealth itself is not evil, people can become evil and view wealth in unhealthy ways.  According to the Mahabarata, a young prince named Vibhavasu was foolish and became blinded by his love for wealth.  His folly was that he began wanting to divide his wealth away from that of his family, desiring to make extreme separation between what was his and what belonged to others.  He took his cravings for property too far and became selfish and began arguments and quarrels, losing his friends and family.  While there is nothing wrong with looking out for your pocketbook, you should not allow wealth to destroy your relationships with other people or let it define who you are. Further, the stories of the Mahabarata state it is better to live in poverty than to become the slave of another for nothing more than wealth, because this practice will turn you into a hateful person. To end on a positive note, while Hinduism focus a great deal on obtaining wealth, it also lauds the virtue of giving a charity.  Great kings are beseeched to donate their wealth in charity and to give to priestly persons who have forgone the comforts of life.

Wealth is only evil when it is obtained without exertion
‘Tapa is innocent, study is harmless, the ordinance of the Vedas prescribed for all the tribes are harmless, the acquisition of wealth by exertion is harmless; but when they are abused in their practices it is then that they become sources of evil.’” – The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Section I

A young prince becomes consumed by wealth
“There was of old a great Rishi of the name of Vibhavasu. He was exceedingly wrathful. He had a younger brother of the name of Supritika. The latter was averse to keeping his wealth jointly with his brother’s. And Supritika would always speak of partition. After some time his brother Vibhavasu told Supritika, ‘It is from great foolishness that persons blinded by love of wealth always desire to make a partition of their patrimony. After effecting a partition they fight with each other, deluded by wealth. Then again, enemies in the guise of friends cause estrangements between ignorant and selfish men alter they become separated in wealth, and pointing out faults confirm their quarrels, so that the latter soon fall one by one. Absolute ruin very soon overtakes the separated. For these reasons the wise never speak approvingly of partition amongst brothers who, when divided, do not regard the most authoritative Sastras and live always in fear of each other. But as thou, Supritika, without regarding my advice impelled by desire of separation, always wishest to make an arrangement about your property, thou shall become an elephant.’ Supritika, thus cursed, then spake unto Vibhavasu, ‘Thou also shall become a tortoise moving in the midst of the waters.’- The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Astika Parva: Section XXIX

Slaving yourself for nothing but wealth will make you hateful
I was quite beside myself. Reproaching myself much, I at last resolved that even if I should have to live cast off and censured by Brahmanas, I would not yet, from desire of wealth, be anybody’s servant, which is ever hateful. – The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXXXIII

Kings always give charity and hospitality
It hath been said in the oldest Upanishad that a grihastha, acquiring wealth by honest means, should perform sacrifices; he should always give something in charity, should perform the rites of hospitality unto all arriving at his abode, and should never use anything without giving a portion thereof to others. – The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section XCI

Kings donate wealth to priestly persons (Brahmanas)
“O king, it was about this time that Drona heard that the illustrious Brahmana Jamadagnya, that slayer of foes, that foremost one among all wielders of weapons, versed in all kinds of knowledge, had expressed a desire of giving away all his wealth to Brahmanas. – The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXXXI

It is understandable why some today might have a negative opinion of wealth and the desire for it.  When society loses much of its dharma (virtue) as it has today, wealth falls into the hands of the wicked and becomes associated with them almost entirely.  But if we fall into the trap of thinking that wealth is evil, then only the evil will have wealth, and it becomes a vicious cycle. It may be difficult these days to come across great wealth through good and honest means, but it is certainly not impossible, especially when Hindus with right intentions work together to achieve it.  Rather than discourage our friends and family from pursuing wealth, we should encourage them to find wealth through righteous and sound means and to help others to do the same.  It is up to us to return the wealth of this world to the hands of the righteous, indeed it is one of our greatest duties. Vedic principles can help us achieve this.