What is Real Wealth?

Does it just mean billions in paper money?

Does it mean just thousands of acres of land and tonnes of gold?

Even a world conqueror like Alexander, who spent his whole life travelling thousands of kilometers and destroying millions of lives in the pursuit of land, gold and wealth, finally realised the truth:

The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell people that not even a fraction of gold will come with me.

I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me.

Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.

And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world.

This is what the Bhaja Govindam says about so called “wealth” and it has come true in the case of my father — he fears and distrusts his own son.

To protect and enhance his own wealth, he does not even mind betraying, imprisoning, permanently defaming, insulting, humiliating and not recognising the sacrifices of  his own son who he gave birth to:

arthamanartham bhaavaya nityam
naastitatah sukhaleshah satyam
putraadapi dhana bhaajaam bhiitih
sarvatraishhaa vihiaa riitih

Wealth is not welfare, truly there is no joy in it.
Reflect thus at all times.
A rich man fears even his own son.
This is the way of wealth everywhere.

Ben Zoma said:

Who is rich? He who is satisfied with his lot.

Epictetus said:

Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.

Does anybody even know how much money Jesus, Lord Ram and the Sakyamuni had?

Forget about remembering their wealth, does anybody even remember who the richest men were in the times of  Jesus, Lord Ram and the Sakyamuni?

What was it that Jesus, Lord Ram, and the Sakyamuni had that makes them remembered, loved, emulated, honoured and respected even to this day?

It was the strength of their character, accomplishments, happiness they brought to others and their consistent practice of Dharma, selflessness and compassion to others even at the cost of their own selves.

The true wealth of a person lies in the betterment and happiness they brought to whose lives they touched and in the memories of those who they love.

As the saying goes:

If you live in the hearts of those who we love, is to never die.

This wealth does not come from just earning huge amounts of money.

This wealth can only be developed by the consistent practice of  Dharma and the things I have figured out.