The Economy of Permanence: A Quest for a Social Order Based on Non-violence (स्थायी अर्थतन्त्र)

Economy of Permanence
For instance, the respect attached of old to the four castes is based on
considerations of services to society. A Sudra, who thinks of no one but himself
and works to satisfy his own personal needs, is given hardly any public
recognition. The Vaishya also, who ventures out to accumulate material wealth
for himself, but in the course of doing so does render some service incidentally,
fares little better, though he is allotted a slightly higher position. The
Kshatriya, who is much concerned with the protection of the people committed
to his charge and values his life less than the honour of duty done, is assigned a
noble status. While at the feet of the Brahmin, who pursues an ideal for itself,
regardless of the cost to his physical existence, all including even royal princes
prostrate themselves. This is a cultural standard of values attained in our land
thousands of years ago; unfortunately, at present, these standards have been
eclipsed by the glare of material wealth which is blinding but transient. We
have to strain every nerve to get back to the noble ideals bequeathed to us and
the following of which alone will lead to permanence.
Spiritual Appraisal: There is an incident recorded of how once King David, one
of the greatest rulers of the Jews, was arrayed against his formidable enemies,
the Philistines— whose armies had encamped between him and city,
Bethlehem. From his camp the King could see the well outside Bethlehem
beyond the enemy camp. The King in a sentimental mood exclaimed "Oh, for a
drink of cold water from that well." Some of the valiant soldiers, who heard
this wish of the King, set out to fulfill the royal desire literally. They risked
their lives through the enemy camp, reached the well, and brought back to the
King a pot of water from that well and placed it before him. The king was much
touched by the devotion and loyalty of the soldiers who placed such little value
on their own lives and ventured forth to satisfy the passing wish of their King.
The spiritual eye of the King saw in that pot* not pure cold water, but the life
blood of the men who had gone to procure it. He picked up the pot and being
much moved said, "How can I drink this? It contains not water but the blood of
my beloved soldiers? If I drink it, it will be a curse to me. I pour it out to God as
their sacrifice and noble offering."
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