There are many requirements of a human being and it is needed to earn money to fulfill them. Money is also needed to fulfill all the social duties and obligations of man. Money is the basis of happiness, therefore it is necessary for every person to earn as per the requirement.
According to ancient Indian scriptures, the importance of money can be explained under the following headings.
i. The Importance of Wealth in Life : Wealth is the means for completion of any objective. Enterprise in lack of money is similar to extracting oil from sand. The importance of wealth is described in the Ramayan – Only the wealthy man is considered to be courageous, earned and having all good speech and lull of beauty and grace. All good qualities and virtues depend on wealth. All difficulties that man faces could be overcome with wealth. Life is impossible without money.
ii. Wealth-Life perspective : Money was the first to be a part of life. Then comes religion to control money. Religion is considered to be the factor that controls Wealth. Thus, it is always the pure, and justifiably earned wealth, that is accepted in Indian religious texts.
iii. Supremacy of Wealth : All activities of man are based on money, and the basis of wealth is labour. Without wealth man’s duties, efforts, salvation and the journey of life is not possible. It is because of wealth alone that religion, performance of duties, salvation and education are done.
iv. For Physical and Spirtual Contentment : It is wealth that fulfills spiritual benefit and salvation and all other human efforts. Wealth creates sources for religion since money is needed for all religious activities.
v. For Prosperity and Security of the Country : The security and prosperity of the country is also dependent on wealth. The Mahabharata says “ The basis of a King’s power is wealth, because the sustenance of employees, charity and donation, purchase of elephants and horses, repairs of the forts, commerce, religion, effort and work are done through treasury. The royal treasury is the basis of army and army is the basic protector of all religions. The Agni Purana also considers wealth to be the means of a State’s prosperity and security.
