Daily Readings from the Works of Swami Venkatesananda


Venkatesa Daily Readings Vol 1 — Be Compassionate

May 13, 2022

      Most of us miss thousands of opportunities of relieving the poverty and the suffering of our brethren. We think that thereby we are assuring our own happiness and prosperity without realizing that we are inviting the opposites. Exploitation nurtures bitterness in the hearts of the oppressed; it leads to social explosion which spreads unhappiness all round. Hoarded wealth is a curse.

      Yet, man will accumulate wealth and strive his utmost to obtain more. Our scriptures insist that we should produce more food and more wealth. Yet we are unable to resist the temptation to regard that "earned" (often by exploitation) wealth as our own and look with suspicion upon anyone who asks for a share of it.

      We are certainly not going to take it away with us when we leave this world. So why make ourselves and others miserable by hoarding it? Let us put ourselves in the other man's position, sincerely and truly.

      What would we expect? Compassion? Be compassionate. Turn accursed wealth into a great blessing by sharing it with all.

Back to Daily Readings