शीलन
By सुंशी प्रेमचंद
Summary
The text discusses the proper use of wealth and power, emphasizing that individuals have complete freedom to acquire wealth, but it must be used for the benefit of society and the nation, not for indulgence or oppressing the weak. It references foundational cultural principles such as "Ahimsa Paramodharmah" (non-violence is the highest duty) and "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family), which are described as the roots of the culture. Despite many distortions and corruptions over time, these principles remain like lighthouses, standing firm against adverse conditions. The text asserts that whatever has survived in the culture is due to these guiding lights; otherwise, the cultural ship would have sunk long ago. It concludes that the purpose of life is not the pursuit of pleasure but the accumulation of spiritual merit. The ideal of life is not blind worship of materialism or hoarding wealth in a selfish bag, but rather living in a way that causes no harm, no pain, and does not cut anyone's throat. The text is attributed to the writer Munshi Premchand and appears in a publication dated January 2007.
Conclusion
The document underscores that wealth and personal freedom must serve societal and national welfare, not indulgence or oppression. It reaffirms the foundational cultural sutras of "Ahimsa Paramodharmah" and "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," which, despite historical distortions, remain guiding beacons. The implication is that life's purpose is not mere material acquisition but the accumulation of spiritual merit (Paramartha). The outcome calls for an ideal where one's actions cause no harm, pain, or exploitation to others. This conclusion redirects focus from selfish prosperity to ethical stewardship, suggesting that true progress lies in preserving these timeless values against adversity.