"’He did the work of three men!’ the accountant told the company. ‘He has 125,000 rupees owing to him as back compensation.’ The treasurer sent father a check for that amount. My parent thought so little about the matter that he forgot to mention it to the family.”
Paramahansa Yogananda recounts in his autobiography, emphasizing the ascetic nature of his father. His dad never visited the theater, avoided all kinds of luxuries, and owned one pair of shoes until they couldn’t be used anymore. While his sons bought vehicles as soon as they became popular (this were the early 1900’s), he kept using the trolley car to commute.
Yogananda’s father had never collected his bonuses while working for the railroad company. He simply wasn’t interested in the accumulation of money for the sake of power.
“Why be elated by material profit?” He told his son. “The one who pursues a goal of even-mindedness is neither jubilant with gain nor depressed by loss. He knows that man arrives penniless in this world and departs without a single rupee.”
Yogananda’s dad was a true example of someone who wasn’t attached to material possessions. And although it is hard to do this in modern civilized society, you can do your best to not be affected by profit or losses.
Whether you amass great wealth or barely cover your bills, remember this: Your value as a human being is not defined by the numbers in your bank account. Wealth does not elevate you above your intrinsic worth, nor does financial struggle diminish it.
While it's okay to pursue success and financial well-being, it’s not healthy if you become attached to it. If you let the pursuit of wealth consume you. If you let greed grow inside your heart. If you start judging others based on their financial status. Your value and everyone else’s as a human transcends monetary gains or losses.
Be mindful of your relationship with money—use it wisely, but do not let it change your mood or personality. Pursue success and wealth with purpose and integrity. See it as a game.
Virtues, family, friendships, health, simplicity. That’s what makes you rich. And remember, money is a tool, not a measure of your worth.
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