6. Acquire Family Management Skills

Purpose of family

The Hindu religion believes in four orders of life. These orders are Brahmacharya, Grahastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyas. The The Family man is the Grahastha who is of great support to the other three orders.

Bramhacharis lead a student life learning. Vanaprasth stay in forests and lead life of teachers. Sanyasis do not stay any where and keep moving from place to place giving discourses and giving spiritual guidance to people.

By sending Bramhacharis to the Guru in Vanaprastha and by paying Guru Dakshina to the Guru, the family man ably supports both the Bramhacharis and the Vanaprastha. And then the Sanyasis, visit houses of family men seeking bare minimum food. And at that time, the Family man provides the food to the Sanyasis. This way, the family man supports the other three orders.
41

The family man provides food to the Sanyasis. The family man who also leads a Dharmic life, supports the needy. In addition the family man also supports the dead.

Hindu religion believes that one’s ancestors, after their death continue to live in a world called Pithru Loka. The religion prescribes that the family man should make his offerings to his ancestors on every New Moon day, i.e. once a month. One day in the Pithru Loka is equal to one month on the earth. Thus the offerings made to the dead once a month, effectively works out to offering food to them every day. By making these offerings, the family man also supports the dead. By making these prescriptions, the religion ensures that the ancestors, both men and women, are remembered by their names, by the family man and one’s link with his elders is maintained even after their death. 42


Each one of us are blessed with many organs and limbs in our body. They represent Gods, Forefathers, Relatives, Guests and self.

The man’s soul or the conscience represents God. God sets values in life and those divine values stored in one’s conscience are meant to guide the man to lead a value based life.

The man’s mind represents his forefathers. The man is supposed to keep the traditions set by the forefathers in his mind and to draw inspiration by thinking about how they led by example.

The man’s heart represents his relatives whom he is expected to love and cherish from his heart.

The man’s head represents his guests. He is supposed bow before the guests coming to his house, extend hospitality.

The man’s entire physical body represents self. The man is supposed to apply each of his limbs to proper use and upgrade himself to earn wealth, name and fame.

The family man is expected to display proper conduct and honor all the above. The Hindu way of life seeks to promote holistic personality in people which it thought is the only way to protect the society as a whole. As per the Hindu philosophy,

Divinity in the society is preserved by respecting the Gods.
Heritage in the society is preserved by respecting the ancestors.
Relationships in the society are preserved by respecting people.
Hospitality in the society is preserved by respecting the Guests; and
Dignity in the society is preserved by respecting the codes prescribed for self conduct.
43

Every family man must lead his life with a Mission. The Mission is to adhere to the above codes of offerings and sharing his food with guests and relatives and lead a life avoiding blemishes. This way, order will be maintained in the society and descendants will stand protected. 44


Displaying love for others and virtue in self is both the purpose of life and duty of every family man. When these are fulfilled, life will ensure he reaps all the rewards of life. 45

Ascetics move around spreading the message of spirituality. But the family man, by following his Dharma as above, spreads the message of spirituality practicing at home. In fact, a dignified family life accomplishes much more than what saints might accomplish. 46

By correct observance of prescriptions made for family life, the family man keeps ahead of those in the other three orders. 47

For the family man adoption of the path prescribed for him is supreme duty. By observing this supreme duty in a righteous manner, he does greater penance than the saints. 48

In sum and substance, family life is the embodiment of righteousness. If the family man observes the above and comes out without blame, he is said to have observed his Dharma well.
49

He who lives successfully as a family man on earth gets placed among Gods in heaven. 50

Be a Life Partner to your spouse

In a virtuous family, both the husband and wife are partners in life. They should possess all virtues expected by the other partner and live within their means. 51

However pompous one’s life style may be, it is presence of virtues in the partners that makes family life happy. A partner without virtues makes family life unhappy. 52

A noble partner ensures all the happiness in the family. On the contrary, if virtues are lacking in a partner, the family lacks in everything. 53

What more happiness is needed in a family if both the partners are devoted to each other? 54

When a wife worships her husband, all the blessings are showered in that house by the God 55

The first duty of a wife is to attend to her husband. To enable effective attendance to her husband, she has to first take care of her own self. The next duty of a wife is to protect the family honor. 56

Faithfulness to the partner ensures love and happiness in the family. 57

When partners provide right companionship to each other, they attract all the wealth of the heaven. 58

When the husband is joined by a faithful partner, his mind is peaceful and he walks with his head erect like the lion. 59

A wonderful family is one that is composed of a virtuous husband, a loving wife and gifted children. 60

Practice Love and kindness

No lock can withhold love. Love cannot tolerate the sufferings of the loved. 71

The loveless are full of themselves. Whereas the loving, live for the others 72

Our connection with love is eternal. We are all born through love and the purpose of birth and rebirth is to love others. 73

Love generates kindness. Then it grows into great friendship 74

Righteous love brings joys of heaven and enlivens humanity. 75

Love not only generates kindness. It also provides courage to protect the loved from evils. 76

Virtue demands we display love to others. One with no love is one with no virtue. The sun burns up a worm. Similarly the God of Virtue destroys people with no love. 77

Living life without love is the same as a dry tree standing on a barren land 78

One can never find happiness from a person so beautiful outward but without love from the insides. Without love, the limbs of our body are meaningless. 79

The essence of life is a body with love within. Without love within, the body is nothing but skin and bones. 80

Practice Good Eating Habits

Men of medical profession say that deficiency in or excess of three things, viz. the pulse, the bile and the phlegm in your body could cause illnesses in you. 941

Understand your digestive system. Eat only after you feel the hunger, i.e. after you know that what you had already eaten is already digested. If you do that, you will never need any medicine.
942

Observe measure and moderation in your eating. That is the way to live a long life without medicines. 943

Eat food that is agreeable to you, that which is not allergic to you. Eat after feeling the hunger. Eat to the level of appetite and not to the full stomach. 944

Eating non-allergic food in moderation ensures prevention of illnesses. 945

Persons eating moderately avoiding the bad food will lead a happy life. Persons eating voraciously will make their bodies a store house of illnesses. 946

Persons eating food without hunger and those eating immoderately will be afflicted by number of illnesses. 947

Any medical treatment must be started only after diagnosing the illness, finding the cause and identifying the means of cure. 948

Before starting the treatment, the physician must know the history of the patient, his condition, the gravity of the illness and the duration of the ailment. 949

The medical science recognizes fourfold approach to curing illnesses. This approach envisages consideration of the condition of the patient, the medicine to be administered, the nursing to be ensured and the life style change that the patient has to make. 950

Extend Hospitality to Guests

A guest is shattered by an indifferent look in the host. Any guest can discern your unwillingness to extend hospitality to him. 90

Righteousness is welcoming people with a pleasant look and sweet words 93

Humility and loving words are the only known ornaments. The other things that we consider as ornaments are not ornaments. 95

The purpose of acquiring wealth and a house is to extend hospitality to guests. 81

Never eat alone when the guest is waiting. Share it with the guest, even if it be nectar 82

Never believe that extending hospitality to guests will make you poor. You will never suffer poverty if you take care of your guests. On the contrary, it would greatly promote our wealth. 83

When you extend hospitality to your guests cheerfully, fortune will smile on you. 84

What is left behind after you have extended hospitality to your guests, become seeds that grow your wealth. 85

Guests are Gods. When guests come to you, it means God is coming to you. Cherish the guests coming to you and look forward to new and more guests. 86

Hospitality is a penance at home. The effects of hospitality cannot be measured precisely. In fact the effects would be unmatched. 87

If you decide to hoard your wealth and to avoid extending hospitality to your guests, you will regret it later when you long for some support. 88

Do not avoid extending hospitality feeling poor when you have plenty. That would be your greatest folly. 89

Enjoy Children

The soft embrace of young kids is a great delight to our body. And our ears get the delight when we hear the lisp of the kids. 65

Those who say that the sounds of Veena and floot are sweet, have not experienced the lisp of young children. 66

Be a Skillful Parent

The great good that a father can do to his children is to make them acquire first rank in the school. 67

Children born of well natured parents will practice modesty and equity on their own. Because of good lineage, all virtues would naturally reside in them. 951

Children born of good parents would never forsake the primary virtues of discipline, truthfulness and modesty. 952

Parenting should be such that it cultivates in children qualities such as cheerfulness, benevolence as well as courtesy in words and deeds. 953

Good parenting is that the children never think of doing anything unbecoming even if they stand to gain huge wealth. 954

Family tradition should be such that even in adverse circumstances, children shall never lose touch of being kind and benevolent. 955

Good parenting should be such that children value family traditions and family name and they do nothing unbecoming that would be detrimental to the honor of the family. 956

Children should be told that the family name and fame should continue to shine in the society and that they should not do anything unbecoming. They should be made to be aware that any blemish in people of noble families would become the talk of the town just as the dark spots on the moon 957

Children should know that lack of courtesy and good manners in them would bring bad name to the family. 958

Parents should tell their children that they should guard their tongue since the kind of words we use denote the kind of family we belong. Just like the health of the plants indicates the quality of the soil, the healthiness of the tongue indicates the quality of family. 959

The biggest message that the parents can give to their children is that if one wants to protect the good name of himself he should be modest. And if one wants to protect the good name of family, one should be humble and submissive. 960

No evil will dare to visit a family for seven births where children grow up with good disposition and are free from any vice. 62

Poverty in the family does not matter when the children are loving, caring and respecting. When given by loving children even the porridge tastes sweeter than the Nectar, to the parents. 64

Children of good upbringing will stand to face all difficulties. Only the absence of a good son will bring distress to a family. 1030

Assets of the Family

Among all the assets of a family, the biggest one is that of having intelligent and knowledgeable children. 61

The wise men say that the wealth of a family man is his children. It is because, the wealth flows into the family through virtuous deeds of children. 63

Intelligent children not only delight the parents but also the entire world. 68

The mother no doubt gets her joy at the birth of a child. But she gets greater joy when she hears others praise for her child. 69

The greatest service that a son can do to his father is to make the society to come and congratulate the Father for the good deeds of the son. 70

Support your Relatives

Have good words for your relatives. Only those who speak with love are capable of speaking sweet words without there being any deceit. 91

Sweet words not only help you attain fame while you are alive, but your fame remains even beyond your death. 98

If you want to give and help your relatives, give with a cheerful heart. Giving is incomplete if you can’t give with a pleasant look and with sweet words 92

Water stored in a tank are meant for the welfare of the society. The wealth available in a family is meant for the welfare of the kith and kin. Wealth in the hands of a person without kith and kin is like the water stored in a tank without any bounds. The entire wealth would go waste. 523

Poverty will never visit those who have a good word for all. 94

The real happiness from wealth is derived when you are surrounded by your kith and kin.
524

Sharing of wealth accompanied with kind words enriches and enlivens our relationships with our kith and kin. 525

No happiness is superior to sharing our wealth with our kith and kin with all the kindness in our hearts. 526

Crows teach us as to how to cherish kith and kin. A crow when getting access to food will, without concealing it, caw and call his brothers to come and share the wealth. The crow that shared the food with the others does not get deprived as fortune smiles on it and he gets food again from another source. 527

The king is surrounded by many and he assists each of them by their merit and needs. 528

We should be attached to our Kith and kin and not attached to their wealth. Changing fortunes of a relative should not affect our old attachments to each other. 521

Unchanging love towards kith and kin despite changing fortunes in one, is a great wealth. 522

Do not discriminate your kith and kith who had gone away from you because of their disagreements with you. Once you remain virtuous, they would return of their own accord.
529

And when they return, let us welcome them, embrace them and remove their grievances still remaining if any. 530

Beware of the Enemy Within

Shade and water are there to enliven you and protect you. But sometimes both turn unwholesome when water causes disease and shade prevents growth. In the same way your near and dear who are expected to support you, turn murky and indulge in disagreeable activities.
881

When your enemy comes before you with an open sword, you sure would take care of yourself. But more dangerous are those who are close to you but intend to do harm. You will be extra cautious before turbulent waters. But what you should be more careful about is calm waters.
882

Beware and guard yourself against enemies within. They you’re your weaknesses and could cut you as easily as the potter’s knife. 883

The enemies within are the reasons for all the dissentions and it is because of them families, societies and the Nation are put to distress and grief. 884

All crimes, distress and pain that surface before the Government are due to internal dissentions.
885

The hitherto unified families suddenly face internal discords making reunion very difficult and untimely deaths certain. 886

People in divided homes, though act as one, are really not in unity. A lid could have been welded on to a box to give the impression as one. But in reality, they are two different things.
887

The family affected by internal discord, will wear out like the gold being handled with a file by a goldsmith. 888

A family with internal discord is like a seed holding a tree within. 889

Living with people who have hostility is like leading life in a house which has a snake in it.
890

When the sweet words produce pleasures alround, why should we use the harsh words at all?
99

Indulging in offensive words and avoiding sweet words is like preferring raw to ripe fruit.
100

7. Have Right Attitudes towads Money

Paradoxes of human life

This world is a strange place. There are many who are knowledgeable who but remain poor. And there also those who are low in education. But then they are rich. Very rarely knowledge appears to co-exists with material wealth. Why? 374

We may embark on an endeavor believing we have all the advantages but might still fail. And there are also people who sailed against the wind and reached the shore. Why? 375

Howsoever you may guard your wealth, you could still lose it. And howsoever one may be spending his wealth, he may still be bestowed with unending inflow. Why? 376

You may have amassed and hoarded lots of money. But you could still be deprived of enjoying them. Why? 377

The poor people with no resources on their hands could have easily renounced this world and attained all the happiness. But they don’t. Why? 378

When people pass through good time, they consider them as very fortunate. But when bad days come, they start complaining. Why? 379

Wealth is the only one important thing in this world. Only wealth makes insignificant men to become prominent. 751

No one in this world respects people who are poor. Only rich men bag all honors. 752

Wealthy people are respected in all countries. They are even considered the enlightened people. 753

What is that potent force that acts strangely as above? Even when we act cleverly, we are taken for a ride. Many call it fate. Is that true? 380

Nevertheless do not tolerate poverty

Among all the pains, the greatest pain is of poverty. The day to day deprivation and suffering in poverty is untold. 1041

Lack of wealth deprives the poor of enjoying the pleasures of both the present and the future. 1042

Poverty spoils the name and fame of the whole ancestry. It affects family bonds and traditions. 1043

When afflicted by poverty, even people of noble origin lose their niceties and dignity of speech. In effect not only they lose externally but internally also. 1044

Poverty is the mother of all evils and brings in all kinds of difficulties. 1045

The poor have gone through a lot and have lots of experience in life. They have lots of advice to give to others. But just because they are poor, no one would listen to them.
1046

If one is reduced to abject poverty, even his own mother would despise him. And more so when he also lives devoid of virtues. 1047

I went through the pain of hunger and deprivation in the past. Are they going to be my companions even in the future making me miserable? I really dread this poverty. 1048

It may perhaps be possible to sleep even amidst fire around. But when the fire is within you in the name of poverty, you can never have even a wink of sleep. 1049

The more the people continue to live in poverty, the more they would be living on other’s food and wealth. They should find their strengths and work to come out of poverty. 1050

Work to remove your poverty

Not seeking assistance from those who can help and practicing self reliance is a greatest wealth. 1061

Poor people should never even think of resorting to begging. Begging might earn some money but the poverty would continue to exist. 1063

The dignity of poor people who refuse to beg even in the midst of adversities cannot be adequately appreciated even by the whole world. 1064

Even the smallest meal one can get by one’s own labor is much better a feast offered as alms. 1065

Begging is just a mean activity. Even in the name of holy, no begging should be resorted to. 1066

Begging itself is to be avoided. No one should beg especially before people who either hide their wealth or before people who give unwillingly. 1067

Earn wealth honestly

But then realize that material wealth is generally temporary. If you want it to remain permanently with you, do two things. Firstly, earn it by proper means. Then the second is put the wealth to proper use. 333

Honestly earned wealth does not leave you. If you are upright, your wealth will never dwindle. It would even pass on to the next generation happily. 112

Wealth should be earned with love of work and grace in dealing with people. If earned otherwise, it would not stay. 755

Ultimately those who become wealthy are those who do not desire for the wealth of others. The Goddess of wealth stays only in those homes who work for creation of wealth. 179

Have no desire for unearned wealth

Those who care for justice, will not indulge in disgraceful acts of acquiring wealth by unjust means. 172

Wanting to possess the wealth of others and departing from justice will destroy one’s family and keep him in regret through out his life. 171

What is the use of one’s education and intellect if he were to indulge in non-virtuous acts foolishly? 175

Even the very thought of wrongdoings would take one to ruin. Take to the righteous path of compassion and never fall from grace. 176

Avoid the temporary gains coming out of taking other’s wealth. Its fruits are bitter and would ruin your entire family. 177

The way to protect your existing happiness is to avoid longing for other’s wealth. 178

Long term prosperity never visits the envious and never forsakes the virtuous. 170

History tells us that only those who had been devoid of virtues and kindness and been cruel to people had lost all their wealth. 246

Practice no Corruption

If you are in a position of service to people, be impartial. Assess the strengths of each and give each one his due. Do every thing with a sense of equity. Sense of equity is a great virtue. 111

Never adopt wrongful means to earn wealth. Give up ill gotten wealth even it promises prosperity. 113

Crores of enemies are no match to Managers who move with sinister designs for causing harm. Managers with evil designs are the enemies within. 639

A Manager who demands money and practices extortion and corruption is like an armed highway robber demanding money. 552

Truly learned persons will always practice and uphold equity in thought and action. Therefore, whether you go through adversity or prosperity, hold your balance. Then alone you can be considered a person of wisdom. 115

The men of integrity always treat people fairly. Acting as the fine balance, it is they who uphold justice in this world. 118

People who practice integrity do not adopt obliquity in their speech. They are free of any bias in their minds and hence in actions as well. Be unbiased and ensure impartial treatment to all. 119

Even the traders who work for personal profit keep the customer interest in their minds. Why the others cannot do so? 120

Those who want to be respected should keep off from fraud, deceit, bribe and such 281

If you believe you would have no place in this world without money, please also know that people without kindness cannot lead a happy life. 247

People without material wealth could still become prosperous at some time in their life. But there is no hope of prosperity to those who possess no kindness. They will always be experiencing one or the other trouble. 248

They should avoid even the very thought of accessing another’s wealth. 282

Adopt the path of virtue and be content with lawful earning and not even dream of making unearned wealth. 287

Adopt Values. Virtues dwell only in the mind tempered by Values. 288

Consequences of taking bribes

Covetousness brings ruin to one’s family. One achieves real success only when he is free of corrupt mind. 180

Whether you had earned your wealth rightfully or wrongfully would always get reflected in the character of your children. 114

Ups and downs in one’s life always happen with a reason. If one leads a non-virtuous life, he is sure to face a downward movement in life. 115

It is the law of psychology that the thoughts that reside in our minds always come true. The righteous always think that the Dharma would not let them down. And it would not. The wrong doers would always be afraid that they could get caught. And they would. Thus wrongful thinking always takes people to ruin. 116

Well, even in the life of virtuous mishaps may take place. But in their period of adversity, the world comes to the help of people who had been just. The despair visits only the wrong doers. 117

Wealth earned by wrongful means will not stay with the offender. The money thus stored would be like the water stored in pot of un-burnt clay. 660

Wealth that is acquired by deceitful means will appear to grow for some time, but would vanish totally. They would go away the way they came. 283

Love for another’s money would lead to endless grief and pain. 284

Those who have their focus on others’ money would never be able to observe virtues of any kind. 286

Thoughts of deceit will be in the mind who are in the habit of committing frauds. 288

Those who are deep in fraud cannot stop defrauding others. One cannot fool all the people all the time. He would get caught while in the act soon and that would be his end.
289

While the Gods would protect those who are virtuous, those who are fraudulent will be caught by their own act. 290

Have no wrongful desire for money

Do not have wrongful desire for money 361

The greatest wealth one can aspire for is freedom from wrongful desires. 363

Free your mind of desire for money. Pursue what is of permanent value in this world, i.e. truth. You are presently pursuing what is of temporary value. 364

When you have a wrongful desire, you endeavor to achieve it. And when it could not be achieved, you get upset and tend to achieve it by sinful means. And where you achieve it, you become a slave to it. Thus the very presence of a wrongful desire in your mind blocks you and prevent you from living a virtuous life. 366

When you eye for the others’ wealth or prosperity with envy, you become possessed of wrong desires and you are sure to move away from the path of virtue. That would make you do wrong things and you would lose the wealth and prosperity you already have. Thus acting with envy means you neither desire virtue nor wealth for you. 163

Banish the wrongful desire for money in you and come over to the path of virtue. 367

Those who are free from desires do not experience any difficulties in life. Whereas, those who run after their desires allow pain and grief to visit them. 368

Desire is an evil power. True happiness in life is reserved for those who banish their desires. 369

Desires which are possible to be lawfully satisfied are not bad enough. But all of us should shed desires which are not satiable. If we can do that, we shall live in a perpetual state of happiness. 370

When you have the money, don’t be a miser

Attachment to money makes a person a miser. A miserly person simply stores his wealth and does not use it. He neither helps others nor enjoys the wealth himself. He is as good as dead. 1001

A miser generally thinks that all his gain lies in storing his wealth. This thinking in him will haunt him in days to come. 1002

The Mission of every one born on this birth is to make a meaningful difference in this world and leave it a better place than when he came in. But the miserly people who just do not do anything but only accumulate wealth are a simple burden on this earth. 1003

Misers do not help any one and are therefore despised by the people on earth. They thus can’t earn the affection of any one. What life is it when one lives without the love and affection from and to any one. 1004

What is the use of crores of rupees if that is neither enjoyed by oneself nor given away to others in their difficult times? 1005

The wealth of the miser is like the fruit of a poisonous tree in the village. People cannot use either that fruit or the wealth of the miser. 1008

Ultimately what happens to the wealth of the miser remaining unused and undistributed? It is finally taken over by some strangers, either through theft or inheritance. 1009

Impermanence of life

Intelligence means the ability to distinguish between what is of lasting value and what is temporary. The unintelligent people always commit the folly of treating the unstable as stable. 331

One’s fortune may flow temporarily. It is like gathering of the crowd at the theatre. As soon as the show is over, all people would leave. 332

Material wealth is generally temporary. 333

The next thing that is unstable is time. Time is like a saw. It keeps cutting our life bit by bit as the days pass one by one. 334

People who were alive and kicking yesterday had suddenly vanished today. This world is famous for taking away people all of a sudden. 336

People who keep planning and scheduling do not know what is in store for them the next moment. 337

The eggs believe that the life contained by it within will be therefore ever. But suddenly, it finds that it is broke and the chick goes out. Our body is like that shell wishing that the life be contained within for ever. 338

Oh Man! Don’t be asleep believing nothing can happen to you. Awake. Be born again and lead your second life shedding your wrong beliefs held so far. 339

You are only a visitor to this world. Your soul which is permanent has just taken a temporary shelter in your body. It can leave any time. Be come aware and do good in this life of yours. 340

Before you experience the final moments of tongue blabbering and hiccough arising, do something good. 335

Make Right use of Wealth

The wealth is a blessing when it is used to help the needy people. It is also a blessing when one uses it for one’s own enjoyment. But the wealth that remains unused either way is simply a curse. 1006

God gives us wealth to use it. The wealth that remains unused for the welfare of the needy is similar to the withering beauty of a woman who remains single through her life.
1007

Society generally has two kinds of people. One, who are misers who have lots of money but would not spare it for helping the needy. The second kind consists of those who have a large heart but who possess no wealth and who are like clouds which do not bear the rains. But the nature would soon bless such good hearted people and their poverty is only short lived. 1010

Help those in need

There are people who falsely assure help but take undue advantage of the confidence reposed in them. Do not be one of those people who speak kindly only to exploit the unwary. 285

Seeking the help of others in need is no sin. People come to you for help because they think you can help. And if you can help, but still you don’t, you deserve blame. 1051

Assistance to the needy is always welcome. But you are not under obligation to help if it would put you in pain in the process. The beneficiary would be happy if the help comes out of love and grace. 1052

The beneficiaries would be highly thankful if the help is rendered with grace and beauty.
1053

Never entertain the thoughts of holding back your resources. All the resources are given to you only for being shared with the needy. 1054

Giving and taking are complementary. Both need to exist. When they give, the Haves signify that there are good people around in this world. And when they receive, the Have-nots signify that there are still people in this world on whom we have the great opportunity to shower benevolence. 1055

When a person goes for begging believe he is caught in the sea of difficulties. And when he faces refusal of the giver, his boat crashes on a rock in the high seas. 1068

No one goes out to beg willingly. No one likes to beg. If at all one goes out to beg, he does so with pains in his heart. But when he faces the refusal, it just breaks him. 1069

Needy people die every day by meeting refusal. They do not know how to save themselves. Help them. 1070

When the Haves become generous, the Have-nots lose their indignity. 1056

When the poor see people who simply give without maligning the receiver, the poor derive true happiness and thank God for the presence of those good people in this world.
1057

If there are no poor in this world and every one has in abundance, would the world be ever interesting? Then every one would go his own way unmindful of the others like the dolls. Inequities have been created in this world so that people would venture to bring equity and in the process derive self satisfaction. 1058

If there are no Have-nots in this world, what would the Haves do to attain glory? 1059

The Have-nots should not get upset when they do not get help. And the Haves should not look at the Have-nots with scorn. 1060

Achieve whatever you want, rightly

All your difficulties stem from the foolish acts you might commit. And all your gains come from acting in wisdom. 372

If you are determined and persevere in your endeavors, you are sure to achieve whatever you wanted. If on the other hand you suffer from idleness and procrastination, you are bound to face ruin. 371

Beyond all formal education, what is really important is innate wisdom. 373

Acquire wealth by fair means. The wealth acquired by fair means builds our name and fame. 754

We beget children by practicing love. Similarly we should acquire wealth by nursing love. Not otherwise. 757

Do not hoard money. If you had amassed wealth through illegal means, you will have to encounter lots of enemies. On the contrary, work hard and earn enough of wealth and store it. You will have no enemies at all. Your mere honest example will affect the pride of enemies of virtue. 759

When you accumulate wealth through lawful means, you will be truly virtuous and happy. 760

Be pure in action

Are you interested to earn the respect in the society? Then don’t do anything that would affect your reputation. 653

Have clarity of purpose in whatever you do and have unwavering strength of mind to follow virtues. They will save you from doing anything demeaning. 654

Never ever do any act which you would regret later. And where you had already done such an act, take precautions and avoid their repetition. 655

Righteous people, even in adverse situations, do not do things which are condemnable. Even in the face of one’s mother being hungry, they would not indulge in wrongful acts.
656

Righteous men prefer suffering in poverty over wealth earned from sinful acts. 657

Those who knowingly commit forbidden acts may succeed temporarily, but in the end their lives would be one of lasting regrets. 658

Gains extracted from the tears of others will go down the drain taking along with them the tears from your own eyes. The cry of others caused by you will not leave you unpunished. Be fair, do good deeds and earn good for yourself. 659

8. Have Right Attitudes towards Work

Let Work be your priority

The human race spent many years roaming around hunting. Finally they came to pastoral age and settled down to do agriculture. It finally dawned on man that he has to work and toil to improve his lot. 1031

The most important thing that every one should devote himself to is to do all that is necessary to improve the condition of his family. 1021

Only two things can improve conditions of one’s family. They are acquisition of knowledge and hard work. 1022

Those who are willing to acquire knowledge and to do hard work to improve conditions of his life will always find help ready at hand. 1023

Success comes chasing to one who wants to improve the condition of self and family and work in that direction untiringly. 1024

The whole world is waiting to befriend one who work hard to improve his conditions without adopting wrongful means. 1025

Courage and confidence in one’s endeavors automatically bring improvement to one’s family conditions. 1026

Battles are won by soldiers who fight with confidence and conviction. Similarly family fortunes are won by those who work with confidence and competence. 1027

Seasons may change. But they are of no excuse to those who work for family prosperity and honor. One should not resort to any excuse for not working including on pretexts of false dignity. 1028

A soldier going to the war should not be afraid of wounds on his body. Similarly one who is working for his family upliftment, should not be afraid of difficulties he may encounter. 1029

Avoid Laziness and complacency

Laziness, inactivity, apathy and the mad joy are different forms of thoughtlessness and are more harmful than uncontrolled wrath. 531

Thoughtless people lose fame and this is seen world over. 533

Lazy people suffer from lack of ability to see the future. They are unwary of their folly. In times to come, they will be left with only feelings of regret. 535

Laziness and complacency ensures you do not acquire more knowledge. And freezing of knowledge kills your renown and drives you to poverty. 532

Forts cannot do any good to people who are gripped with fear. Similarly, no good can come to those who are complacent and indifferent. 534

One needs to be awake at all times. All the good can come only to those who keep vigil at all times. 536

Keep alert and be on readiness at all times. Persist towards your goals with all the zeal. If one so lives, nothing is impossible for him. 537

Action and ceaseless efforts are most important. Any neglect and indifference in this regard will deprive you of any command in life. 538

People who are willfully negligent and revel in drinks and delight have always perished.
539

Be diligent and thoughtful. That is the way to reach the goal and achieve the objectives.
540

Know the Perils of laziness

Your family may be a great one who may have achieved prosperity. All this prosperity can vanish if laziness and inactivity pervades your life. 601

Those who want to preserve the name and fame of family will never allow sloth to enter the minds of any family member. 602

If you suffer from laziness and inactivity, you will see the downfall of your family in front of your own eyes, soon to be followed by your own regretful expiry. 603

If you allow laziness and inactivity in your family members, the drying up of family resources will encourage the members to commit crimes and take the family to ruin. People who enter crimes are those who had wasted their past life in laziness and inactivity. 604

Those who go to ruin take the four routes. The routes are procrastination, indifference, inactivity and sleep. 605

Even if there are people to extend financial support, lazy families cannot derive much benefit therefrom. 606

Families suffering from indifference and inactivity will ultimately face disgrace in the society. 607

A once thriving family, due to damages caused by laziness, will be forced to work as slaves of their enemies. 608

The only way to bring back the prosperity into your family is to banish laziness in members of the family. 609

All the prosperity of a kingdom is due to banishing laziness in people and making them productively employed. 610

Have Self Motivation

Your real possession is your self Motivation. If you are self motivated you possess everything. And if you are not self motivated, you can not possess anything else. 591

Self Motivation alone is wealth. If this wealth is not there in you, all other wealth would fly away from you. 592

Your strength lies in making constant efforts. If you fail to make efforts, be ready to grieve losing the opportunities that knock your doors. 593

You don’t need to go after wealth. Wealth and prosperity will find their way to you if you are a person of tireless efforts and undaunted will. 594

Howsoever deep the water may be, by their self efforts, the Lily and Lotus rise above the waters. Have that mental strength to rise in your life. 595

Every obstacle can be overcome and even unattainable results can be achieved by one’s constant efforts. Be always willing to exert yourself. 596

Why are the elephants chosen to participate in a war? Elephants have the capacity to carry on the fight despite piercing arrows. Similarly, be a person of strong willpower and even in adversities, carry on your fight to achieve your goals without losing your self motivation. 597

A person of no strong will can never achieve reputation in this world. 598

If you have the courage, you can win even the strongest. If you attack like a tiger, even an elephant, though big in size and possessing strong and sharp tusks, will fear you and run away from you. 599

Your strength lies in Motivation, courage and willingness to exert yourself in pursuit of goals. Without this mind set, you are as good as a piece of wood. 600

Think and Act

Think and do. Don’t do and think. Any mission is to be undertaken after due thinking. Starting the mission in haste and thinking about it subsequently is a blunder. 467

Doing a thing that should not be done and not doing a thing that needs to be done, both are ruinous. 466

Do not risk your capital with mere hopes of profit. Wise men would not risk their capital in anticipation of unsure gains. 463

Do not embark upon a thoughtless expedition. Acting without forethought and deliberated plans, would make your enemies more strong. 465

When you think in advance, you are able to organize your strategy. Ill organized working, though backed up by others, is bound to fail. Not plans, but planning alone would help you succeed. 468

Do not do anything that the others would consider unwise. The world would not take kindly to unbecoming ventures. 470

Deliberate before Action

Think well of your costs, yields and profits, before deciding to take any action. 461

First consult with your own people of probity and weigh the pros and cons of what you are going to do. Now after due deliberations, a considered action is taken, you can always achieve what you wanted. 462

Do you want to proceed with an act? Consider certain elements before start doing the job. The things to be considered are the nature of the deed to be undertaken, the resources needed, the details of work to be done, the time element and the place of performance. 675

Do not venture to do anything the implications of which have not been fully deliberated and understood. If done in haste, you could get disgraced. 464

Who are all with you in execution of your plans? Have you identified their dispositions and allotted them jobs to suit their demeanor? If people’s dispositions are not taken into account, the achievement of the goal could fail even if the tasks are otherwise well executed. 469

Well, in addition to the above, also deeply consider what the finished product should look like, the possible obstacles that you could encounter and the ultimate benefit you have in mind. 676

It is also better to consult the experts on the job and to know the intricacies involved and be aware of the methods to follow to take the activity to fruition. 677

You would no doubt need to take the help of your friends in achieving the task. But more than that befriend your enemies to avoid obstacles they could otherwise put on your path.
679

When you consider yourself needing help for goal achievement, meet and establish an alliance with those who are superior in the field. 680

Make a Plan of Action

Telling what you are going to do is easy. But the difficulty always arises in implementation. 664

Divide your goal into sub-goals and make achievement each sub-goal as the preparatory action for achieving the next. You know we catch an elephant by using another elephant.
678

Do not believe in luck or ill luck. Absence of luck does not handicap one who works hard and proceeds towards his goal. 618

Do not announce what you are going to do earlier than doing it to people unconnected with the job execution. Achieve your goals and then make it known to others. Sometimes announcing what you are going to do put your goal achievement in jeopardy. 663

Take Prompt action

Friends can at best support you and encourage you in your endeavors. But the efforts to achieve your desired goals have to come only from you. 651

Make due deliberations and consultations before resolving to carry out an act. But once resolved, delaying taking action is inadvisable. 671

When all is clear, take prompt action. When there is ambiguity, subject it to more deliberations and thinking. 673

After due consideration, once you have resolved to do a particular thing, carry it out firmly without any hesitation and delay. 668

Delay in taking action is acceptable where caution is needed. But where the need is for quick results, you need to act faster. Do not delay those which need not be delayed. 672

Be pure in action

Any thing you do must fulfill two conditions. Either it must promote virtue or bring you fame. All other actions are worth being discarded. 652

Are you interested to earn the respect in the society? Then don’t do anything that would affect your reputation. 653

Have clarity of purpose in whatever you do and have unwavering strength of mind to follow virtues. They will save you from doing anything demeaning even in your adversity. 654

Never ever do any act which you would regret later. And where you had already done such an act, take precautions and avoid their repetition. 655

Righteous people, even in adverse situations, do not do things which are condemnable. Even in the face of one’s mother being hungry, they would not indulge in wrongful acts.
656

Those who knowingly commit forbidden acts may succeed temporarily, but in the end their lives would be one of lasting regrets. 658

Do not fear Problems

At the beginning you may encounter teething troubles. But when carried out with courage, you can achieve the goal and attain enduring gains. 669

Laugh at your at adversities. Tell them that you are bigger than they and order them to get lost. And take action to drive them away. This attitude of yours will keep them away. 621

Even flood of difficulties would not stand before the person who has the determination to face them. 622

Do not be afraid of the pains one has to undergo in goal achievement. Let your courage drive away the pains to come back as pleasures. 623

The path may be rough and uneven. But the bullock cart ceaselessly negotiates the tract and makes progress towards its destination. In the same way, continue with your efforts with perseverance and you would overcome all difficulties. 624

Even if you face series of difficulties, make them all disappear and perish with your overwhelming resolution. 625

People who do not run after wealth would not lose their peace when they lose their affluence. They would neither exult in riches nor would feel disparate in adversity. 626

The wise men know that one has to take pains in life. They know pain is inevitable in life, but misery is optional. Hence they don’t consider pain as pain and are not unduly worried about it. 627

Pain and Pleasure are a life philosophy. Wise men know that when one takes pains, the pleasures are waiting to bless him and when one goes after pleasures, the pain is waiting to grab him. Therefore wise men do not run after pleasures but opt for taking pains. 628

Persons of balance do neither seek joy in pleasures nor grieve in sorrows. 629

Persons of maturity take pain and pleasure evenly and earn the esteem of even their adversaries. 630

Have Determination to succeed

One may have other virtues such as knowledge and skill. But more prized are the will power and determination. The world does not esteem those with no will power. 670

What really helps you to achieve your goal is your determination. Determination is a supreme power in comparison to all others. 661

Be determined to guard against adversities. And then cross all obstacles with determination. Live by these two maxims. 662

Planning to details, determination to achieve the goal and total involvement in its achievement always lead to success. 666

In achievement of the goal, the size of the man does not matter. For a big chariot to move, what help are the small linch pins in the wheel. 667

Take leadership. Be a leader. The credit for the determination with which the soldiers fought the war and won it, always goes to the King, the leader. 665

Persevere till Achievement

Don’t leave the job unfinished. It is never advisable to leave the battle half way. Anything unfinished can flare up like a fire not put out fully. 674

Don’t give up in the face of difficulties. Persevere till you attain your goals. Self motivation and willingness to work hard would ensure difficulties do not frustrate you. Only perseverance can take you to fame. 611

Be determined to take the task to the right finish. Do not give up any job unfinished in the middle. If you abandon the work unfinished, be aware that the world would abandon you and that would be your finish. 612

Perseverance is a virtue without which, you can’t achieve any goal. When you cannot help yourself, how can you be expected to render service to the society? 613

Do not run after pleasures. Be goal conscious and be persevering. Only then your family can look up to you for support and redeeming them from sufferings. 615

What makes a difference between rich and poor is industry and hard work. Industry brings in wealth and lack of it brings in poverty. 616

Person who is not industrious brings total darkness to his life. Goddess of Wealth smiles only on those who work hard and persevere to succeed. 617

Some may attribute one’s failure to fate. There is nothing called fate. No fate can stand up before the person who is working hard to achieve his goals. Sincere hard work always brings its reward. 619

Work hard with determination to overcome the difficulties. You will overcome your destiny. 620

9. Acquire Managerial Skills

Know the Expectations from you

A Manager must be one of wisdom who finds the resources, takes the right action at the right time and achieves results. 631

Every Manager should have five qualities. They must be of profound learning. They must possess firmness in dealings. They should have mastery over the task on hand. They should also have determination to succeed. And they should apply these qualities to their work with a focus on welfare of the people. 632

Managers should be able separate the grain from the chaff, i.e. distinguish between the performers and the non-performers. They should then be able to focus on making further improvement in the performance of performers and also in turning the non-performers into performers. 633

Managers should be capable of comprehending the issues before them. Then they should be able to choose the best means to execute the jobs on hand. They should also be able to convincingly explain the job, the purpose, and the means of achievement of the same to his staff. 634

Managers should be possessors of virtue and of considerate speech with ability to spot talents. 635

All the skills needed for overcoming difficulties present themselves before those who have the combination of good learning and wisdom. 636

Managers lacking in abilities will never be able to achieve results though having all the resources at their command. 640

Managers should know the virtues cherished by Superiors and observe virtues meticulously avoiding even small faults. Once detected to have faults, they are likely to lose the trust of Superiors and it would be difficult to restore the trust subsequently. 693

Managers must be thinking Managers. They should not apply rules blindly. They should think and apply rules with common sense. 637

Managers should not lust for or seek or otherwise misuse the perks available to Superiors
692

One should not believe they can do anything just because of their confirmed position in the establishment. The enlightened would never misuse their privileges and would not do the disagreeable. 699

Similarly one should not take liberties to do anything just because of their long service in the establishment. Any disagreeable act is likely land the doer in difficulties. 700

Observe Good Conduct before Superiors

Every Manager will have a superior above him. On any given issue, it is the duty of Managers to place their honest opinions before the superiors, whether or not the same would be agreed to. 638

Like the person warming him before the fire, the Managers shall neither go too close to Manager nor would keep away from the Superiors. 691

In the presence of seniors, one should avoid whispering to colleagues and laughing with them. 694

Unless otherwise told to them by the seniors, Managers must not probe, pry into, seek or show inquisitiveness to know the details not revealed by the Superiors. 695

Whenever there is need to convey any information to the seniors, the same be communicated in a positive spirit after choosing the right time and seeing the disposition of the senior. 696

What is important to be known by the senior must be conveyed, though choosing the right time and disposition. And what is only a futile and useless talk, should be avoided even if sought for by the senior. 697

Do not behave loosely with the seniors even if they are of younger age or even when they are known to you. Give them all due respect at all times. 698

Superiors are people who have risen to their position with superior qualities. Do not be a person of little mind as to lack the aptitude to respect great men and to learn from them.
976

Do not be one of little minds who get busy boasting their own glory. Do not be one to consider superiors as lacking in capacities than you and look down on them. 977

Greatness can be identified through one’s humility and modesty. Meanness can be identified through one’s arrogance, self admiration and vanity. 978

Greatness lies in shedding vanity. Meanness lies in boasting in offensive vanity. 979

Greatness ignores the faults of others. Meanness exposes the faults of others. 980

Maintain Good Customer Relations

Only those who are pleasant and concise in words, avoid inconsiderate talk and bring smile in the face of customers can bring results to the establishment. 685

Good upbringing, devotion to the establishment, courtesy in dealings and virtuous actions are the characteristics needed for having good Customer Relations. 681

Friendly disposition, good knowledge of the affairs and well developed communication ability are the three essential qualities in Customer Relations. 682

Since Managers would be interacting with learned customers, those desiring to be successful in Customer dealings should be more learned. 683

Only those who have good personality, hands on knowledge and have the ability to keep cool can succeed in Customer Relations. 684

Be courteous to those coming to you

You are considered courteous when you become easy of access to people. Once you are easy of access, you would command all respect in this world. 991

Love for others and having a good family background are the two factors that keep you virtuous. 992

What makes you acceptable is not either your personality or your dressing for the occasion. Your worth comes from your courteous behavior and humanity. 993

Your kind assistance to people making the beneficiaries feel grateful to you, would be appreciated even by others in the world. The world is always grateful to those who are courteous and do good. 994

Even in jest do not be discourteous. Be courteous even towards those who are unfriendly to you. 995

The whole world survives on the strength of good people. But for them, it would have been in ruins long ago. 996

One may have all the sharpness of intellect and knowledge. But they are as good as dead like a piece of wood if they do not possess courtesy. 997

We should be courteous even to people who are unkind. That is the trait of virtuous people. 998

Those who behave discourteously and fail to gladden the hearts of people, bring darkness even during the day time. 999

All the resources at the hands of discourteous is as good as milk kept in an unclean vessel which is bound to go sour. 1000

Be persuasive with your Customers

Only those who are knowledgeable, fearless, persuasive, impressive and expedient can sell their ideas. 686

To persuade successfully, work with duty consciousness, time consciousness and place consciousness. 687

The attributes of Sales personnel are morality, loyalty, fearlessness, and honesty. 688

If you want to be a good persuader, act with conviction and courage. 689

The ultimate persuader should be one who acts with determination against all odds to bring benefit to the establishment. 690

Handle Tasks with Forethought and Motivation

Before taking up any task for achievement, four things have to be weighed. They are, the gravity of the situation, the threat perception, the resources available for goal achievement and the commitment quotient for task completion. 471

Nothing is impossible to achieve, if you know the nature of the task and are willing to put your heart and soul into it for goal achievement. 472

Pride lies in achieving greatness in the chosen field. If you are leading a life devoid of pride, you are leading an unenlightened life. 971

Every body is born equal. Achievement lies in your growing unequal. No one is respected by birth but by one’s skills and achievements. 972

By taking birth in a great family, one does not become great. By taking birth in a low family, one does not become low. One becomes great by his own deeds and achievements. 973

Great men by their great deeds achieve great things which are difficult for the others to achieve. 975

Have Time Strategy

Between the crow and the owl, the latter is stronger. But during the day time, the owl cannot see. Hence the crow chooses the day time to conquer the owl. Thus for conquering any assignment, time is an important element. 481

Timing is one of the secrets of success. 482

True, you should have proper resources to handle a task well. But the when you use those resources at a favorable time, even tougher jobs can be achieved easily. 483

You can win any assignment when you strike at the right time and at the right place. [Think as to how the Russians defeated Hitler?] 484

People who wait for the right time to strike are great strategists. They patiently wait for the opportune moment to arrive to make their movement. 485

One of the strategies of the strong is to wait in silence to strike from a vantage point. 486

Wise men do not strike in anger. They control their feelings and smolder within waiting for the right time to strike. 487

Bear with patience the difficulties you encounter. Lie low till is opportune. Attack the task at the right time. 488

Time always provides us a golden opportunity. Be on the look out for the right time. And when it arrives, go all out to achieve the impossible. 489

Observe the stork bird. It waits in patience and attacks the prey at the favorable opportunity. And that should be the strategy. 490

Choose your Territory

Just as proper timing is important the need for a proper place can also not be overemphasized for handling a task on hand. 491

Howsoever knowledgeable and skilled one may be, a place secure enough for handling the task on hand is necessary. 492

If the place is right, even the unskilled can overcome their lack. 493

If you have ensured a locational advantage for yourself, no competitor can carry on his activities. 494

Your personal skills and ability would not be of any advantage at a wrong location. The all powerful crocodile loses its strength once out of water. 495

Every one needs a favorable territory to carry on his activities. Neither a chariot with mighty wheels can run on sea nor can a ship sail on the land. There is a place for every thing and every thing has a place. 496

For success in an endeavor, beyond courage all that you need is a proper place. 497

One in the security of his own location can win over even mighty competitors. A big army marching into the territory of a small chieftain can lose if the latter has his locational advantage. 498

To win the natives in their own lands is difficult for even a mighty army. 499

The mighty elephant might kill even big armies. But the same elephant might fall a prey to a small fox if it is caught in a marshy land. 500

Do not overload yourself

Many had taken up assignments over ambitiously without assessing all the aspects. All of them had ultimately to withdraw in the mid course. 473

Those who under estimate the risks involved and plunge into the tasks thinking too much of themselves would come to grief. 474

Do not take over more tasks on hand than you can manage. The axle of the cart can break with over load of the materials put on it. 475

Over ambition could make you move to the top of the tree. But even the green stick can bend only up to certain limit beyond which you could fall down and endangering your life. 476

You should not over stretch yourself beyond limits. Even a person doing charity needs to keep in mind the wealth he has and not expend beyond the resources available. 477

Never mind your achievements being small. You should take up more tasks only when you think you have the resources therefor. At no time, go beyond your capacity. It is similar to the need to live within one’s income. 478

When one starts taking more than what his plate can accommodate, things will start falling off. One who starts living extravagantly could perish sooner. 479

Going beyond one’s capacity, can affect even the strongest. One’s charity beyond capacity could affect even the wealthy. 480

If overloaded, create your Team

The job requirements, the capabilities needed for performing the job and the appropriate time for making the induction must all be weighed and action taken for inducting a Team Member. 516

If you decide to make inductions to your Team, check the prospective members on four basic aspects. The basic aspects to be tested are his virtues, his financial position, his integrity and his safety consciousness. 501

The next aspects to be checked on the person to be had in your team, employed are his family background, freedom from vices, and fear of sins. 502

Beyond his blemish-less character, the next thing to be checked is his knowledge and competence for the job. One may have studied well, but yet, when it comes to the question of a job, one may still be ignorant of the expectations on the job. 503

Be careful about choosing persons who have no family to support. People who have no family to support lack social instincts and cannot think through their heart. And such persons can be reckless and commit crimes. 506

No one is either fully virtuous or free of all blemishes. Every one is a mixture of both good and bad. Therefore, weigh both good and bad in the person and decide based on what predominates in his composition. 504

Examine the good and bad in the prospective team member and choose the one who is most suitable. 511

In identifying people for your team, keep off from nepotism. Your blind attachment to a particular person could result in employing a person without sufficient knowledge. 507

Similarly, do not select total strangers, untested by the above parameters. If you do, you could land in troubles. 508

Employing a person without ability to persevere and achieve goals is like giving the sword to a soldier who is a coward. 614

Communicate expectations to your team members

Any Team Member must be one who could improve revenue and avoid losses for the employer. He must be one who should be able to overcome all obstacles on the way and do the right. 512

The Team Member must possess four qualities, viz. love for work, knowledge to do the job, skill to do the job and absence of greed to make money for himself. 513

Assign Tasks

Despite all assessment, every Team Member is likely to vary in his perceptions, performance and other endowments. 514

Notwithstanding individual differences in Team Members, one’s knowledge and ability to make his job a success should be re-tested before assignment of jobs. 515

Once satisfied that the person has stood the tests and proved himself suitable for task entrustment, he could be entrusted with the tasks identified for him. 517

The task entrustment to be done only after satisfaction that he would be fit enough to do that job. 518

Trust your Team Members

All assessments must be done before the candidate is put on the tasks. And once put on the tasks with deliberate care, trust must be placed on him to enable him to perform with confidence. Mistrust will affect his performance. 509

Trusting a person before assessment and mistrusting the person after task assignment, both are harmful. 510

Once he has joined you as a team member, trust the Members for performance of the jobs assigned. Mistrusting Team Members would result in their ineffective performance and consequently loss of the human resource so carefully acquired. 519

Not only trust them for their jobs, but also take care of their interests because by their performance of duties, they are going to carry the activities in their right path. 520

Make Performance Evaluation

Without mistrusting the Members, verify one’s quality by his actions. Assess his actions and identify what sort of a man is he. 505

10. Know What is Good Governance

All Institutions to be governed well

Fearlessness, benevolence, wisdom and zeal are the hall marks of a good administrator.
382

Alertness, knowledge and courage are the essential attributes of any administrator. 383

Any Institution must observe unblemished virtue and abstain from all wrong doings. 384

The economic principles of an Institution must focus on producing, acquiring, preserving and making equitable distribution of wealth and services. 385

The people will greatly appreciate if Administrators are easy to access and treat the citizens courteously. 386

The whole world would respect such an administration which is courteous, friendly and protective of citizens’ interests. 387

Every Institution must dispense justice and protect the interests of people. And such Institutions are considered highly divine. 388

An Institution which would be receptive to criticism will be held high in esteem by all people. 389

An enlightened Administration is one which works with focus on beneficence, benevolence, rule of justice and people’s welfare. 390

What is Good Governance?

Proper examination of issues coming up, impartial consideration and doing justice to every one is good governance. 541

Just as the people of the world look up to the sky for adequate rains, the citizens of a country look up to all Institutions for good governance. Grace of God and grace in Governance are the two things that keep people happy. 542

The human civilization started with Good Governance. And based on those principles of Good Governance, codification was done in the form of Vedas, Scriptures and Dharma.
543

The people of whole world would eagerly submit themselves to the Government that practices Good Governance. 544

Where the Good Governance prevails, the environment is well taken care of and the Nature in return takes care of people blessing them with copious rains and plentiful crops.
545

God protects the world. The Ruler protects the people. Good Governance protects the ruler. 547

The Ruler who fails to govern well would be working towards his own dismissal. 548

When it is Bad Governance?

A Government which is unjust is worse than the cruelty of murderers. 551

A Ruler who demands money and practices extortion and corruption is like an armed highway robber demanding money. 552

Good Governance requires day to day dispensation of justice and day to day elimination of wrongs. The Administrator who fails in this is leading the country to ruin day by day.
553

The Government which does not prevent abuse of power would face economic disaster and would ultimately lose its people as well. 554

The misuse and abuse of powers in Government makes the people feel hapless. When people stand de-motivated, they cannot contribute to the promotion of economy. The result is economic down fall of the country. 555

A Government shines by Good Governance. And the absence of Good Governance makes the Government lose its shine and endurance. 556

Prosperity to people can be brought by the Government and the rains. People living without the support of the Government is the same as people living without rains. 557

The country may have all the wealth of natural resources. But none of these can bring prosperity to people under the Government which thrives on misuse and abuse of powers. Thus living under an unruly Government, is worse than living in poverty. 558

Rains fail to fall on the land governed by unjust Governments. When natural resources are plundered, the nature obviously feels it is no use giving such people the natural gifts. Thus where there is unjust ruler, there are inadequate rains. 559

If the protector does not protect, there would be problems of law and order since people would stop practicing virtues. When people stop practicing virtues productivity in the country will come down and the country as a whole would lose its prosperity. 560

Let there be discipline in all Functionaries

Good Governance warrants proper enquiry into alleged misuses of power and award of deterrent punishment to avoid recurrence. 561

Long term prosperity of the country can be ensured only by strict maintenance of discipline in Governance. The award of punishments must be quick but not necessarily severe. 562

Being severe with criminals and giving them exemplary punishments are not any faults in the Ruler. They are his duties to ensure protection of his subjects. 549

Awarding death penalty to murderers and the like is similar to weeding the field clear of unnecessary growth. 550

However, award of severe punishments bordering on terror and cruelty is not in the long term interest of the country. 563

Functionaries entrusted with the governing functions should not turn dictators. If they do so, they can not survive for long in power. 564

When the functionaries make themselves inaccessible, put people in fear and amass wealth for themselves, you can take it that the whole Governance has passed into the hands of demon. 565

Every enforcing agency must practice compassion. If they get cruel, do not respect people and do not practice compassion, it will drive away prosperity from the country.
566

Using unkind words and acting unjustly will take the shine out of the functionaries managing the affairs of the state. 567

The Ruler who does not heed to wise counsel and who makes the subjects victims of his wrath who soon shrink in size. 568

Every functionary is expected to protect people’s interests. All resources are entrusted to his hands only to act in people’s welfare. Despite resources in his hands, if he does not take efforts to protect his people, he will be unable to protect himself in times of turmoil.
569

Greatest of burdens befall on a country when the Ruler turns a Dictator surrounded by the selfish and unwise. 570

Let there be Kindliness towards people

The world can survive only if every one carries kindliness in their eyes and humanity in their demeanor. 571

Every one us live because someone is kind to us. If every one is unkind to one, he would have long quit and exited this world. Those who lack kindliness would endanger others and are thus a burden to this earth. 572

Music means there has to be tune. A song without a tune is not a song. Eye means it has to carry kindness. An eye without kindness is no more an eye. 573

Eyes do not become eyes just because they remain on our face. An eye without kindness is of no utility. 574

We wear ornaments to make our necks and hands a beauty. The ornament to the eyes is kindliness. And without kindliness, our eyes would look sour and thus are a mere sore on our face. 575

Eyes without the expression of kindness resemble barren trees on the earth. 576

Eyes to be meaningful must be benign. Without benignity in his eyes, the man is actually blind. He would be blind to people’s woes. 577

We all need to perform our duties with a graceful mind. The right to live in this world is available only to those who can exercise kindness without affecting their duties. 578

The greatest virtue in a person is extension of kind consideration even to those who bring grief to him. 579

A man is civilized only when he treats even bad people with equanimity. 580

Extend Courtesy towards citizens

Functionaries are to be courteous. They should be easy of access to people. That is the way they can command respect of all. 991

Functionaries should develop feelings of love and care for people coming to them and be virtuous. 992

One’s physical personality and impeccable dress do not necessarily enhance one’s worth. One’s worth comes from one’s courteous behavior and humanity. 993

Functionaries should focus on extending assistance to people and make them feel grateful. 994

Functionaries should take extra care not to be discourteous and unfriendly. 995

The edifice of the whole humanity is built on kindness of each other. Even the functionaries themselves survive only on the kindness of someone. If people are unkind to each other, the whole world would have perished long ago. 996

All functionaries are basically selected to the posts they occupy based on their knowledge and intellect. But their very purpose of being in that position is to be alive to the needs of people. But if one is not alive [to that purpose] he is as good as dead like a piece of wood. 997

Another trait needed in functionaries is to be courteous even to those who are rude. People aggrieved sometimes lose their temper in the presence of functionaries. Despite that, functionaries are expected to be courteous even to people who are unkind. 98

Aggrieved people who face discourtesy at the hands of functionaries feel it is dark all around, even in the day light. Having been rejected by the functionaries, they don’t know where to go. 999

The Government entrusts enormous resources at the hands of functionaries just to help people. It is like the cow giving the milk to every family to feed the children. But what would happen if that milk is kept in an unclean vessel and allowed to go sour? The children would go hungry despite the cow’s benevolence. Similar would the fate of resources entrusted at the hands of functionaries when they apply those resources to wrong ends and deprive needy citizens. 1000

According to Hindu mythology, the society was divided into four groups keeping Brahmins as superior to the other three. Similarly the Government too has divided the entire work force into four groups and has kept the administrators as superior to the other three. Just like the expectations from Brahmins, these administrators are expected to follow righteous path of Virtues with kindness and love towards all citizens. 30

The functionaries who simply watch deprivation and grievances abound in the country, do not deserve to stay in power. 1062

Rules have been made for good of the people. But the rule makers could not have envisaged all the situations that might surface. There the functionaries must not apply the rules blindly. They should apply them by looking into their appropriateness in the changing situations and apply them with common sense. 637

The functionaries should ensure that nothing unethical gets done under their jurisdiction. They should help the Government earn their revenue only through lawful taxes and levies. 756

Any work undertaken by the functionaries involving finance must be as transparent as two elephants engaging together on a mountain top in full public view. 758

The ultimate objective: Upgrade the country into a Nation

A Nation is one where there is abundance of produce, rich commerce and virtuous people. 731

A Nation is one which has enormous wealth and prosperity to share and there are no calamities. 732

A Nation is one which has the resources to bear its outgoings and the citizens willingly pay their taxes. 733

A Nation is one where there is absence of hunger, disease and wars. 734

A Nation is one where there are no groupisms, no internal dissentions and no criminal elements. 735

The best Nation is one which does not face any crisis and is capable of meeting any demands on it from out of its rich resources. 736

The limbs of a Nation are well protected borders, protective mountains and plenty of water resources, viz. the ground water resources, surface water resources and running water resources. 737

The five jewels of a Nation are Health, wealth, bountiful yields, happy citizens and effective security. 738

A Nation is one which is rich by its natural resources and not the one which produces wealth by toil and hard labor. 739

A good army, protected borders, friendship with the neighbors, virtuous ministers, wealthy economy and worthy citizens are the markings of Good Governance. 381

It is not the law and order enforcement that ensures peace and prosperity of a Nation. They are achieved through Good Governance. 546

When all the wealth is available but ruled by an incapable ruler and no harmony among people, a Nation becomes a mere country. 740

Where the Good Governance prevails, the environment is well taken care of and the Nature in return takes care of people blessing them with copious rains and plentiful crops.
545

[While translating from his writings in Tamil, I have used the words “Government” and “Institutions” interchangeably to cover different forms of Establishments. Whichever the term used, the tenets explained herein apply to all Establishments.]

11. Respect Environment

Saint Thiruvalluvar, has spoken much about rains. His words of wisdom have much to communicate to us.

By sending the rains down to earth, the Divine energy of the Heaven is sending down the nectar for his children to live. We all survive and enjoy life, thanks to the rain. 11


Water is a multipurpose material. It both serves as food and producer of food. It alone helps growth and production of all inputs that we need in life. 12

If the rains would not fall, the whole world would starve. 13

If the rains would not fall, all agricultural activity would grind to a halt. 14


If the rains would not fall, we shall all perish. Only its regular blessings keep us alive. 15

If the rains would not fall, not even the grass would grow. Then where is greenery and prosperity? 16

If the rains would not fall, even the seas could shrink since they would not get replenished. 17

If the rains would not fall, all our celebrations, festivities and offerings would come to an end. 18

If the rains would not fall, the very word ‘benevolence’ would go out of the dictionary and every body would be out there grabbing what little is available and committing crimes. 19

If the rains do not fall, all virtues in the world would come an end. The world cannot exist without water. And there would be no water without rains. 20


Rains fail to fall on the land where people are unjust. When natural resources are plundered, the nature obviously feels it is no use giving such people the natural gifts. 559

Where there are good people, the environment is well taken care of and the Nature in return takes care of people blessing them with copious rains and plentiful crops. 545

12. Observe Spirituality in Life

Spirituality and Thiruvalluvar

All the languages of the world start with the letter ‘A’. Thus the starting point had been the same for all of us. And for all of us that starting point is the God who created this world for us and created us as well. 1

We are all created by His pure knowledge and wisdom. All of us derived our languages from Him. Thus it becomes the first duty of all the educated people to express their gratitude to Him and to adore His great feet. 2

The God lives in the hearts of each of us. Those who find refuge in His Feet will lead a long life of happiness. 3

The head which does not bow in reverence before the Lord of all virtues and righteousness is merely a limb of the body without any sensation. 9

God has no likes and dislikes. He treats every body alike. Everyone is assured of a trouble free life if they live by His principles. And these principles are explained in Thirukkural. 4

God is incomparable because He is the embodiment of Values. Those who adopt His values in their day to day lives will be free of any distress. 7

God, our Father is embodiment of enlightenment and grace. If we adhere to the principles of God we too can attain enlightenment and grace. All problems of human race arise from living in ignorance of His principles and from making faults. 5

Human problems arise out of misdeeds committed by the five senses, viz. eyes, ears, tongue, nose and the sense organ. Those who can control these senses and lead a disciplined life can attain fame and longevity. 6

Be guided by those who have crossed the sea of virtues embodied in the Principles of God. When you swim in the sea of virtues, you also swim through wealth and happiness. 8

By observing virtues, we cross the ocean of life with success and attain the feet of Lord and thus overcome the cycle of birth and death. Those who do not adopt a virtuous life would not be able to cross the ocean of life and reach the feet of the Lord. Thus they would continue to travel through the cycle of birth and death eternally. 10