Kannadasan – A Realized Master (Part-23)

 

We used to hear the saying, "A fair-skinned person wouldn't lie." Nowadays, however, we tend to dismiss what Westerners say, believing instead in the superiority of Indian wisdom; we argue that the West merely copies our ideas, repackages and rebrands them, and sells them back to us—essentially recycling our own concepts. If you feel that the financial wisdom being discussed is merely the product of materialistic Western thinkers, let us look at some Indian stalwarts. 

First book is, lo and behold, from a Sanyasi! These days Gurus in Ashrams are smart in making and managing wealth better than householders! The purpose of the book, "Money Magnetism: How to Attract What You Need When You Need It" by Swami Kriyananda is to help you to attract money in such a way as not to make it a burden on your peace of mind, but a doorway, rather, to genuine opportunity. It is to help you to learn how to use money wisely, in such a way as to acquire the greatest possible benefits for yourself and for others. Swami says, "Wealth is the consciousness of abundance. And poverty is the consciousness of lack. Wealth and poverty are both states of mind. You are as rich, or as poor, as you believe yourself to be. Abundance, in other words, is something we must draw to us. Abundance of all kinds. For success, too, is a kind of abundance. So also, is emotional fulfillment. So also, are friends. We draw these to us. We can also repel them. A consciousness of abundance attracts abundance. It's really that simple. A consciousness of poverty, on the other hand, attracts poverty." 

Talking of the Law of Abundance (or abundance thinking), it is the idea that there are enough opportunities, success, love, wealth, and resources for everyone. It is mainly a mindset from psychology and personal development, rather than a scientific law. It contrasts with a scarcity mindset, which assumes that one person's gain must come at another's loss. A person with an abundance mindset tends to believe that "There are many opportunities; if I miss one, another will come. Others' success does not diminish mine. Knowledge grows when shared. Cooperation often creates more value than competition.” By contrast, scarcity thinking says: ‘There is only one winner. If someone else gets ahead, I lose. I must hoard information and resources.’ 

One of the best-known books on this subject is from Stephen R. Covey. In his best-seller book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", he describes the Abundance Mentality as believing there is "plenty out there for everybody." He contrasts it with the scarcity mentality, which sees life as a zero-sum game. There are also other influential books on this subject for those interested: "The Magic of Thinking Big”, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success”, “The Go-Giver" and "Think and Grow Rich" 

Let us now see what some of the Western Thinkers say: Stephen R. Covey writes, "The abundance mentality flows out of a deep inner sense of personal worth and security." Another motivational writer Wayne Dyer points out that "Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into." The well-known Ralph Waldo Emerson says "The reward of a thing well done is to have done it." Finally, successful businessman of America, Henry Ford's famous statement is: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't—you're right." (Often cited to emphasize the power of mindset). 

Incidentally, the concept also appears in ancient philosophy. Lao-Tsu taught that generosity enriches the giver.  Marcus Aurelius emphasized focusing on what is within our control rather than fearing lack. In Indian thought, the Sanskrit prayer (Shanti Mantra) "Purnamadah Purnamidam" from the Isha Upanishad and the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad expresses the idea of an affirmation of infinity, wholeness, and the complete nature of ultimate reality, meaning, “completeness and inexhaustible fullness: from fullness comes fullness, yet fullness remains.” 

In contrast, what do our Tamil film songs teach? Take, for instance, the song "Aani Muthu Vaangi Vandhen" (Film: *Baama Vijayam*). It conveys a message of communal sharing—"let us divide and share what we have"—or simply living contentedly with one's current means: 

"Living here with what we hold in hand,

Peace dwells within this home;

Between the welfare of the household

And the welfare of the nation, there is no difference." 

Here is another socialist song from the poet—delivered as if meant to be taught to children (“Ellarum ellaamum pera vendum”) (Film: *Karuppu Panam*): 

"Here, everyone must receive everything;

We need a state where want no longer exists...

May private ownership—where the powerful hoard wealth—vanish,

And common ownership prevails in this blessed land!" 

Marudhakasi follows this same path, yet the lyrics are incredibly compelling to hear and read. Consider the song "Aanaakka Andha Madam..." (Film: *Aayiram Rupai*): 

"Do not think status lies only in living in a mansion,

Nor deem it a shortcoming to dwell in a humble hut;

Mansions and huts exist only in the mind;

If the heart is fulfilled, all else is fulfilled.

 

If we get soup, we drink it; if not, we drink tap water;

Why fret and worry while we still have life?

The One who created the trees created mankind too,

And gave us a heart to accept whatever comes our way.

 

Wealthy tycoons lie awake, eyes wide open,

Fearing a thief might come to snatch their riches;

But with no money in hand, I sleep soundly;

I need no strongbox, nor any lock for a door.” 

Let us now turn to another song by Kannadasan (“Manathottam podumendru”) (Film: *Panathottam*): 

“The body, given by the Lord to cultivate a garden of the heart,

Has instead been used to cultivate a garden of money

A race born of the *Sangam* era, with a spirit that grew like a lion,

Was undone by the lure of gold

Even if a camel passes through the eye of a needle,

The greed for money never fades—Oh Muthamma, it does not burn away even on the funeral pyre!" 

We also came across a statement that 'if we give then we will receive wealth’. Sounds quixotic, is it? The "Give to receive" principle is the idea that by giving value first, you are more likely to receive value in return. It is not about a guaranteed or immediate reward. Instead, it is based on reciprocity, trust, goodwill, and long-term relationships. This idea appears in philosophy, religion, psychology, and business. 

Some famous quotes by Western Thinkers are: Francis of Assisi said "For it is in giving that we receive." Another motivational writer Zig Ziglar says in his books, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want." The book titled, "The Go-Giver" referred to above argues that giving value generously is a path to lasting success. Another title, "Give and Take" is based on research, showing that generous people often achieve long-term success, provided they set healthy boundaries and avoid being exploited. And finally, "The 7 Habits" of Stephen Covey also underscores cooperation and "win-win" thinking. 

During the time he was deeply influenced by socialist ideology, the poet-sage wrote these lines for the song "Ellorum Kondaduvom" (Film: *Paava Mannippu*): 

“Let us credit what comes in; let us debit what is spent

(He is teaching us accounting!) 

The Creator bestowed it all together

The sectarian divided it up

The taker hoarded it away

The giver was left on the street

We shall make the taker give

We shall make the giver take” 

Moreover, in that same song, the poet-philosopher expounds on Vedantic wisdom, asking, "We were born naked and without desire; yet, when the final act concludes, is there anyone who takes anything away with them?" In the song "Vandha Naal Mudhal" from the same film, he marvels, "What did he see that made man create the thing called money?" Lyricist Vaali goes a step further, declaring, "Money is God, my friend," (“Kaasethaan kadavulappaa”) (Film: Sakkaram) and then delivers a punchy follow-up: "Even *that* God know this!": 

"The giver is left bewildered... the taker seals the deal...

And the onlooker simply laughs...

The one who laughed ends up weeping...

the one who wept finds cause to smile...

Such are the states brought about by money... 

If your hands and pockets are full, a crowd will gather around you...

Nodding dolls will follow, keeping time to your tune...

But do they appear when you need them in poverty?

Do they say a word when they leave?" 

Vaali further draws a comparison between money and the human mind in the song "Bhuthan Yesu Gandhi Pirandhadhu..." (Film: *Chandrodhayam*): "Those who possess wealth often lack heart; wealth never seeks out the hands that give." Kannadasan follows a similar line of thought in the song "Kalviyaa Selvamaa Veeramaa?" (Film: *Saraswathi Sabatham*): "Will the views of an educated man find acceptance in the assembly? Yet, if the opinion comes from a wealthy man, would the assembly ever defy it?" 

The next Indian author, Raghavan Jagannathan, in his book. "THE JOBS CRISIS IN INDIA" says in a nutshell, with money becoming center-focus for society, Money-God, so-to-say, youth now think beyond jobs to doing what ‘they want to do with their lives’ and at the same time ensure financial freedom. And the bizarre expectation that governments must 'create' jobs and the communism-concept of my job 'entitlement' are now failed ideas in a changed world. A pertinent question the author asks in this book is this:” When your employer may be fighting for his own survival against competitive forces, what is the possibility that he is thinking of you first?” He advises the reader not to ‘live on the employer’s charity or benefit from his inertia.’ 

‘That’s all well and good, Sir’, you may say, 'now that we all have become adults and it is difficult for us to change. So, give us something to pass on to our children. At least they can grow up financially wise.' Funnily, the best thing to do with an advice is to pass it on, to the next generation! Jokes apart, here is a story book by an Indian author, Swapna Mirashi, titled “Adventures in Moneypur”.  Our schools don’t teach children to manage their minds, how to manage their money, manage their health and manage their values. Personal financial education happens at home, subconsciously, as children watch their parents ‘deal with money’ day in and day out and they record and repeat their behavior in their lives. That is why, children of workers remain workers and children of businessmen become businessmen. 

This story is a deliberate attempt to bring children to ‘thinking about money’ through a sur-real Moneypur, a must-read for every child in a ‘money-dominated’ world. This story will leave indelible marks in the young minds that will help them save, grow and make money work for them throughout their lives. Swapna Mirashi, the young and creative author of this book, has made a unique attempt of teaching financial wisdom through a story, very imaginatively, addressed to children, but can be read by adults as well. The strange characters in the story such as, Infley Shun, a ferocious dog, Spendrilla, a strict hostel warden, and Buying-it-is, an infectious shopping disease that makes money weak! Very interestingly narrated keeping in mind the young readers and their fantasy world, this story can also be told to younger kids at bed time if parents want ‘start pretty early’. 

But consider the stereotypical dialogues about money in Tamil cinema: "The groom-to-be earns a 'handful' of salary" (“Maapillai kai niraya sambaathikiraar”). What exactly does "handful" mean? Most of us receive our salaries in paper envelopes, and doctors collect their fees in a similar fashion; the money usually ends up in one's pocket, doesn't it? (These days, the salary lands straight in the bank account, accompanied by an SMS. If you don't delete that message before the family sees it, there’s hell to pay. And if outsiders find out? You’d either lose face or spark someone’s envy!) Perhaps the hero's comic sidekick—who is unemployed and sits begging in Gandhi Park—ends up with a "handful" of money simply because he collects it all in loose change! 

How many movies feature a hero, enraged by financial woes, threatening, "I'll smack you so hard your teeth fall out" (“Arainju palla kazhattiduven”)? Dentists of that era would have been out of a job! Then there’s the dialogue: "He raised his hand and hit me." (“Avar ennai kai neeti adichutaar”). Fair enough—but is it even possible to hit someone without raising one's hand? Someone ought to try it! Just as modern films force alcohol consumption (‘kudi’) into family settings, films of the past forced in physical blows (‘adi’), normalizing violence as an everyday occurrence. While the hero’s famous slap is a hallmark of male chauvinism, female characters were no slouches when it came to slapping either. Screenwriters and directors seem to think a slap adds "gravitas" (weight) to the story. May they all go to hell! For starters, the heroes and heroines of that era were always 'heavyweights'—and on top of that, it looks like the theater screen might sag under the weight of such an additionally ‘heavy’ storyline. In any case, the screen is bound to get worn out from the heroine and the audience weeping their hearts out. I certainly wouldn't sit in the front row for a movie where the hero takes on sixty villains at once—what if a stray punch or kick accidentally lands on my face? 

Another template dialogue: the moment the hero starts earning, he finds a bride, and at the wedding, he "touches her while tying the *thali*" (“Thottu thaali kattinaar”). If you think like the comedian Vadivelu, you realize that physical contact is usually permitted only *after* the *thali* is tied. It is baffling how, in movies, they touch the bride *before* tying the knot. During the wedding, father or mother of the bride invariably tells the groom, "I bought her everything she asked for and raised her with great indulgence. Make sure she never sheds a tear" (“Avala naan kettathellam vaangi kuduthu, chellamaa valathuttom. Kan kalangaama paathukunga maapiley”). This is a sure sign that the audience will be weeping buckets by the second half of the movie! And naturally, one can expect a song where the couple laments the financial hardships that follow the wedding. One more template dialogue: whenever the hero or heroine declares, "We loved each other with all our hearts" (“Naanga manasaara kaadhalichom”), the director ensures that, once the "heart is satisfied," the couple separates—and proceeds to torment the audience endlessly. 

Let the movie story be, Sir. Let's talk about our own sad money story. How is the mindset of money-related 'stinginess' passed down like a hereditary disease from one generation to the next in middle-class families like ours? At the very least, how can we—who are now aware of this—raise our children with a positive strong mental fortitude in a competitive world like this? In his mythological story on "Raavan" of the famous Ramayan, author Amish Tripathi says, "There’s love that weakens you, and then there’s love that prepares you for what lies ahead. Sometimes that love may appear tough, but it’s necessary. If you are a parent who is only concerned with the here and now, you will give your child whatever she wants, because you want to see a smile on her face. But if you are a parent thinking of your child’s future, you will realise that spoiling your child is the worst thing you can do. But if you are too tough, the child will break. And that is the difference between nature and us. Mother Nature doesn’t keep track all the time; she lets the laws of survival take over. And yes, sometimes the weak break and go extinct. But human beings are different. We can think and well, we can keep track. We can modulate the tough love to the right level; tough enough to strengthen, but not so tough to break." When parents constantly find fault with each other and hold vastly different views on every matter, is it really possible to raise children with healthy self-esteem by balancing strictness and affection in the right proportions? 

When the couple’s money fight will end Sir? Wait, there's home loan, car loan, furniture loan to be closed. Can one transform into Obama in the span of a single song like a Tamil movie hero, or become an Ambani or Adani simply by delivering a few punch dialogues? Our parents, too, belonged to the middle class—just like us! Let us hope by next episode they will come out of the last EMI... 

-J Jeyes (www.jeyes.in)