Three Principles of Vedic Economics for Happy Home

mürkhä yatra na püjyante

dhänyaà yatra susaïcitam

dampatyoù kalaho nästi

tatra çréù svayam ägatäù

SYNONYMS

mürkhä—fools; yatra—where na—not; püjyante—are worshiped; dhänyam—grain; yatra—where; susaïcitam—nicely stocked; dampatyoù—of husband and wife; kalaù—quarrel; na—not; asti—is; tatra—there; çréù—goddess of fortune; svayam—personally; ägatäù—has come.

TRANSLATION

The goddess of fortune, abundant riches, and prosperity personally comes to that place

1. Where fools are not worshiped,
2. Where grains are carefully stocked, and
3. Where there are no quarrels between husband and wife.

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This secret formula for successful peaceful happy prosperous home is described in Vedic Scriptures. A common Indian men, trying to imitate western lifestyle, working hard in cities is devoid of peace. Britain looted India of all wealth but they were unfortunate that they could not understand Vedic knowledge which is so deep and precise. But unfortunate are our Indian fellow men, who are running in the rat race of western ideology.

At least those who have accepted path of transcendence and spirituality and by transcendental grace, develop little faith on Vedic scriptures, these instructions will prove to be very valuable for making home happy. Of course, foremost of renounced transcendentalist, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada could go with only 40 rupees to United States at the advanced age of seventy with ambition to fulfil the hunger of body, hunger of heart and hunger of very soul of the entire planet. He actually did it without discrimination to people of all nationalities, religion, cast etc. all over the world. How? Those who are empowered by grace of Supreme Godhead, they have resources of Owner of all the resources, the Lord Himself. What is impossible for Supreme Personality of Godhead who is cause of all causes?

But here in this article, you will find valuable direction from our Supreme Father, who is the source of entire Vedic literature, for any sane common men who may not have the divine ambition to serve entire humanity but at least can maintain their small family. If only one percent of the population of India can gradually accept these directions, then the mission of the Lord will be successful to a large degree worldwide. It will definitely do good to you but it will also do good for the entire human society.

Vedic scriptures tells that this material creation is not our home. Our home is there in Kingdom of God, in spiritual realm. Yet, even for those who are not able to fully appreciate that, God has given direction how to live peacefully in this world according to principles of His direction coming from Vedic scriptures. Death, old age, disease are inevitable for everybody, therefore actually there is no peace here in this world, even when you have personal bungalow in Southern California, private jet plane and million dollar bucks in bank. Therefore, any sane man is supposed to inquire into purpose of life, athäto brahma jijïäsä. Therefore, spiritual life is not optional for anyone, at least those who are reading this article, for animal cannot read. But even those who want to gradually realize transcendence and want permanent peace beyond miseries of birth and death, it is very crucial that they have peaceful condition of life following path of varnashrama dharma – Scientific inherent principles based on natural division of human society based on qualities and occupation.

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Now let’s discuss these three principles one by one.

Srila Prabhupada: “püjyante dhanya yatra susancitam, “Where a rascal is not worshiped, where foodstuff is kept very carefully,” and dampatyoù kalaha nästi, “and when there is no fight between husband and wife, or family-wise,” tatra çréù svayam ägataù, “there goddess of fortune is always present.” Hare Kåñëa. This is the principle given by Cäëakya Paëòita, the greatest politician and moralist. ”

This one, no foolish rascal should be worshiped, food grains should be nicely stocked, and the third thing, most important, dampatyoù kalaho nästi: “There is no disagreement between husband and wife.” If these three things are there, then you haven’t got to pray to the goddess of fortune, “Kindly be merciful.” She will automatically come: “Here is a very nice place. I shall stay here.” Svayam ägatäù. You haven’t got to pray, “Mother Lakñmé, please come to my house.” She’ll come. [Morning walk: March 4, 1974, Mäyäpur]

Principle 1: Economy flourishes where fools are not worshiped.

Mürkha means who is not pure devotee of Kåñëa. He’s a mürkha or müòha. Not that A-B-C-D learned. A-B-C-D learned is no use. And another çloka, Cäëakya Paëòita says who is learned man. Mätåvat para-däreñu: “One who does not think of any illicit sex life.” Mätåvat… Every woman—mother. Except his married wife, every woman is mother. Mätåvat para-däreñu para-dravyeñu loñöravat [Cäëakya Paëòita]: “And others’ money, just like garbage.” Nobody touches.

Mätåvat para-däreñu para-dravyeñu loñöravat, and ätmavat sarva-bhüteñu: “And one who sees like himself all other living entities, he’s paëòita, he’s learned.” Not by M.A., Ph.D.

yaù paçyati. Samaù sarveñu bhüteñu [Bg 18.54]. [Morning walk: March 4, 1974, Mäyäpur]

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Everyone is trying to become fortunate. Now, Cäëakya Paëòita gives three things, formula, “If you want to be fortunate, then do these three things.” What is that? Mürkhä yatra na püjyante: “Do not give any credit to the rascal.” That is first qualification. Don’t be carried away by the rascal. Mürkhä yatra na püjyante. If you worship a rascal, then your life is spoiled. You must worship a really learned representative of God. Then that is very good.

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One thing, that at home no rascal should be received or given credit… According to Vedic system, at home a sannyäsé is welcome, a brähmaëa is welcome. Because they will give good instruction, they are welcome. Just like when Gargamuni came to Mahäräja Nanda, Nanda Mahäräja’s house, how nice reception he gave him.

Of course, any guest is welcome, but especially a brähmaëa, a sannyäsé is very well received. Still in Indian village, if a sannyäsé goes, he has no problem for eating or staying, residence. Everyone will request, “Swaméjé, today you take prasädam at my place.” So there are many villagers. So he can stay three days, four days. So there is no scarcity. Still they will invite you, “Please come. Take prasädam.” So because… Why this system? Because sannyäsé means he will give good instruction, spiritual knowledge. But that is his business, parivräjakäcärya, wandering all over the world and giving good instruction. Therefore parivräjaka. Parivräjaka means wandering, and äcärya means teacher. Parivräjakäcärya. This is sannyäsé’s business. So they must be well received.

At the present moment, if a sannyäsé is trying to enter in some householder’s house, immediately the doorman, “Please get out. Get out. Get out.” Because some of the sannyäsés, they have taken this dress as a means of livelihood. But still in the village, any sannyäsé—he may be a cheater—still he is welcome. In the cities, of course, in India they are now doubtful, “Whether he is actually sannyäsé, or to fill up his belly he has taken this dress?” So this is the formula. So very learned men, the…, generally, the sannyäsé and brähmaëas, they should be worshiped, not the fools and rascals.

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So there will be no scarcity of simple living and eating. We shall give nice food, milk, and place. So bring student and teach them. Then gradually increase. They will preach throughout the whole world. The defect of the society, modern: the rascals are worshiped. Cäëakya Paëòita has given all in his moral instructions. He said, mürkhä yatra na püjyante: “Where rascals are not worshiped…” But at the present moment rascals are worshiped. And he says. He was experienced politician

Principle 2: Economy flourishes where grains are carefully stocked.

And dhänyaà yatra susaïcitam: “Food grains, they are properly stocked.” Not that for your foodstuff, getting your food grain or earning your livelihood, you have to go hundred miles, fifty miles. No. At home, you produce your food grain and stock it. In India still, they work for three months during this rainy season, and they get their food grains for the whole year. You can save time so nicely. So these things are required for happy home. There must be food grains. You cannot be happy without eating. That is not possible. Annäd bhavanti. Kåñëa also says in the Bhagavad-gétä,

annäd bhavanti bhütäni [Bg 3.14].

[All living bodies subsist on food grains, which are produced from rain. Rains are produced by performance of yajïa [sacrifice], and yajïa is born of prescribed duties.]

If you have got sufficient anna, eatables, foodstuff, then you become happy.

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dhänyaà yatra. Dhänyam means paddy, rice, well stocked. Perhaps you have, in your country also, what is called, barn? That, you keep…

Devotee: Silo.

Prabhupäda: So you have got big, big stock. That is required. There may be scarcity at times, but if you keep stock, then there is no trouble.

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dhanyaà yatra susaïcitam[?]: “And food grains are properly stocked.” That is the Vedic civilization, that you work for three months, not very hard, simply till the ground and sow some food grain seed, and within three months it will grow, and you will have ample food grains, and you’ll keep it in stock. And keep some cows. Dhanena dhanavän. They say that a rich man means one who has got sufficient stock of food grains. Food grains. Dhanena dhanavän. That is Vedic economic system. Gavayaù dhanavän. Gavayaù means by possessing some number of cows one is supposed to be rich. It is actually the fact. Everyone should possess some land for growing food grains and some cows to take milk. Then the whole economic problem is solved. [Bhagavad-gétä 16.10 – February 6, 1975, Honolulu]

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Principle 3: Economy flourishes where there are no quarrels between husband and wife.

In material world, for peaceful life there must be peaceful condition between the husband and wife. Everyone requires wife, everyone requires husband. Sex is necessary, so make the condition of sex very peacefully. Why disturbed? Make the condition that there will be… It is necessary. As eating is necessary, sleeping is necessary, for ordinary man, so sex is also necessary. So make a condition so that nothing will be disturbed, and in undisturbed condition of mind execute spiritual advancement. This is Indian civilization. Aim is spiritual advancement. And to make condition favourable, there are so many things. So unless we get favourable condition… Here in the Western countries there is no favourable condition. First of all, they have no idea of spiritual life, the goal of life, neither there is favourable condition. And gradually things are becoming degrading.

There are so many things in India culture for becoming happy and advancing towards the goal of life. Now I am appreciating for more and more, seeing the whole world, what is India’s culture. Formerly I was thinking, “It is custom. To become faithful wife, this is custom.” But when I come outside I see what is wife and what is faithful wife. In India, still, in the village, even there is fight between husband, wife, the wife is faithful. Still. Completely dependent on husband. The husband also, in spite of fighting, he is always careful that the wife does not get any inconvenience. It was the culture; now it is breaking. [Room Conversation – August 2, 1976, France, New Mäyäpur]

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Srila Prabhupada appreciating a Hare Krsna devotee’s mother

Prabhupäda: [laughing] But your mother is very good. Yes, son inherits the quality of mother, and the daughter inherits the quality of father. Yes. So if the mother is good, naturally the son is good. That is Vedic calculation.

Mother: I’m sorry you said that. [Laughs]

Prabhupäda: [laughs] This is all physiological. And we have seen, studied, that any big man of the world, behind that big man is either a strong mother or a strong wife. That is the general statistics. So women should be trained up to be very faithful and chaste. Then the life will be very happy. That is the only education for woman. And a man should be educated on how to become a first-class man, a brähmaëa. Then the whole atmosphere will be very happy. The man, first-class man, brähmaëa, çamo damaù titikña, and woman, very faithful to such husband, and chaste. Then the home is happy. And Cäëakya Paëòita says another place, dampatyoù kalaho nästi tatra çréù svayam ägataù: “If there is no fight and disagreement between husband and wife, in that home the goddess of fortune automatically comes.”

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Regarding degrading condition of men and women AND need of training of both

So this Ajämila, he was däsé-pati. He was a husband of a prostitute. Prostitute in Sanskrit is called puàçcalé. Puàçcalé means they are moved by other men, puàçcalé. There are three kinds of women: sairindhré [independent], puàçcalé [easily moved by man] and kämiëé [lusty]. In this way there are divisions. So some women, they are very easily carried by men. So that is not very good. So he was not happy. He was attached.

And the other day I was reading in a paper that one woman in two weeks she has divorced two husbands. [Laughter] And when the press reporters asked her, she replied, “Yes, it was a mistake.” And still, they want to be equal with men. She commits mistakes twice in two weeks, and still, she claims to be equal with man. If the home is not peaceful, always disturbed in mind, and one has to adopt twice in a week’s divorce, then how there can be peace? This is not freedom, this is a disturbance. Freedom does not mean disturbance of peace. Freedom means the maintenance of peace.

They haven’t got to search out where is goddess of fortune. She will come automatically. So that is now lacking. In most cases the husband and wife does not agree. So we have got our school, Dallas. We are teaching the small children to make the boys first-class men, as it is enunciated in the Bhagavad-gétä, and woman to become very faithful and chaste. That’s all. This is our education. Then it will be very happy home, and people will live very peacefully, and then other things can be executed.

Therefore I am instructing our GBCs that “Let our little girls be educated to become faithful and chaste.” That is their qualification. No education required. And the boys should be trained up to become first-class men, çamo damas titikñä, like that. And literary, Sanskrit and English, that will make them perfect. If the husband is first class and the wife is chaste and faithful, then the home is heaven. This is the formula. Dampatyoù kalaho nästi tatra çréù svayam ägatäù.

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Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.25 further elaborates qualities of chaste woman

stréëäà ca pati-devänäà tac-chuçrüñänukülatä

tad-bandhuñv anuvåttiç ca nityaà tad-vrata-dhäraëam

TRANSLATION

To render service to the husband, to be always favorably disposed toward the husband, to be equally well disposed toward the husband’s relatives and friends, and to follow the vows of the husband—these are the four principles to be followed by women described as chaste.

PURPORT

It is very important for peaceful householder life that a woman follow the vow of her husband. Any disagreement with the husband’s vow will disrupt family life. In this regard, Cäëakya Paëòita gives a very valuable instruction: dampatyoù kalaho nästi tatra çréù svayam ägatäù. When there are no fights between husband and wife, the goddess of fortune automatically comes to the home. A woman’s education should be conducted along the lines indicated in this verse. The basic principle for a chaste woman is to be always favorably disposed toward her husband. In Bhagavad-gétä (1.40) it is said, stréñu duñöäsu värñëeya jäyate varëa-saìkaraù: if the women are polluted, there will be varëa-saìkara population. In modern terms, the varëa-saìkara are the hippies, who do not follow any regulative injunctions. Another explanation is that when the population is varëa-saìkara, no one can know who is on what platform. The varëäçrama system scientifically divides society into four varëas and four äçramas, but in varëa-saìkara society there are no such distinctions, and no one can know who is who. In such a society, no one can distinguish between a brähmaëa, a kñatriya, a vaiçya and a çüdra. For peace and happiness in the material world, the varëäçrama institution must be introduced. The symptoms of one’s activities must be defined, and one must be educated accordingly. Then spiritual advancement will automatically be possible.

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Conclusion:

Prabhupäda: Every paisa you should spend for Kåñëa. Not that “Kåñëa is giving money. Let us squander it as much as we like.” Then there will be scarcity. [Morning walk: March 4, 1974, Mäyäpur]

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Sandy Nixon: I’ve got a good question. How can we get a God conscious leader in this country?

Prabhupäda: You come and live with us. You’ll get God. Just like so many boys.

[Room Conversation with Reporter Sandy Nixon and Anne Jackson – July 13, 1975, Philadelphia]

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Prabhupada: Three things wanted: You should not give unnecessarily honor to rascals, and you should keep your food grains very nicely, and don’t quarrel, husband and wife. Then you become fortunate. Just see. Check how these instructions are there.

Tamäla Kåñëa: Nowadays none of those three are available. There is divorce, there is shortage of food, and all rascals are worshiped.

Prabhupäda: That’s it. If there is no quarrel between husband and wife, you can be happy underneath a tree. You know Nala-Damayanté?

Tamäla Kåñëa: Nala-Damayanté?

Prabhupäda: They were happily living by covering their one cloth. Still, they were living peacefully. They were so poverty-stricken. Räja Hariçcandra lost everything, but because there was peace between husband and wife…, they were living. Viçvämitra saw, separately. There are so many instances. That is lost now, to live peacefully, husband and wife. Throughout the whole world became sour. So how many people have got stock of grain nowadays? Dhänyaà yatra susaïcitam [laughs] Nobody.

Gopäla Kåñëa: Even the government does not have a stock of grain.

Prabhupäda: What is this nonsense government? A combination of rascals and fools, that’s all. Demon-cracy. Not democracy but demon-cracy.

Tamäla Kåñëa: Demon-crazy.

Prabhupäda: Demon-crazy, yes. Crazy and demons. Therefore, ideal brahmacäré äçrama, you should create. There will be no scarcity of food. There will be no scarcity of place. Now we have to organize.

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Prabhupada tells a practical incidence from personal experience for how a spiritual husband and religious wife can have prosperous economy

Prabhupäda: They asked, “What you want to eat?” “If you can, you make first-class kachoré.” That is from my childhood. They’d make the first-class kachorés in my youthhood. I am fond of kachoré.

Kachoré is made first class in Agra and Mathurä. Very, very nice. The kachoré is being made, hundreds of customers waiting. At shops, there was many shops, waiting for purchasing. And as soon as it comes out of the pan, immediately sold. There is no question of waiting. They make so spices. That is India’s craftsmanship. Nobody will starve. If you have no business, he’ll prepare something palatable and people will purchase, all over India. There’s no question of starvation for want of money. Anywhere sit down and do something palatable, and people will purchase. So your livelihood will go on. Pakorä, kachoré, jalebé, anything. You make some palatable, people are fond of eating some palatable things. That is their hobby.

In Allahabad, there was a brähmaëa. I had my business, and he was a neighbourhood, he was living. So in the morning, the husband and wife would go to take bath in the Ganges. They would very nicely take bath, and while coming they will purchase some ingredients and then come home. The husband will perform püjä, etcetera, and the wife will prepare many nice preparations—barä, pakoré, puskar, this, that. Then he’ll take his meals, rest awhile, and in the evening he will sit down—he was sitting just in front of my shop—about four or five o’clock.

All the preparations his wife had made whole day, and the small shop. And the university students will come up to night. Ten o’clock, he’ll finish. Nothing will remain. Everything will be… And he’ll make at least ten rupees’ profit, minimum. In those days, 1925, in those days ten rupees means nowadays quite…, at least fifty rupees. So, and living very happily. Living humbly as a brähmaëa, he was having his püjä, going to the Ganges, taking bath, husband, and wife, in the morning, and the wife’s business is to prepare and his business was to sell. So they’ll make at least ten, fifteen rupees’ profit daily, very prosperous, living peacefully, husband and wife. There are many such family.

If wife is very good, then his home is very nice. They cannot be unhappy at any circumstances. Dampatyoù kalaho nästi tatra çréù svayam ägataù. Cäëakya Paëòita. When there is full agreement between husband and wife, cooperation, then the goddess of fortune comes there without application. You haven’t got to ask goddess of fortune, “Please come and help me.” She’ll come automatically. This is Cäëakya Paëòita’s instruction.

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In conclusion, therefore, if any of these three principles are focused genuinely, then other two principles will automatically be followed .