Advice to the Indian Aristocracy/Chapter 14
FORTUNE.
This is a new subject on which nothing is said in our books. Let us, however, think over the matter. I simply put you the following three questions first, and will answer them afterwards. I use the word 'fortune' in the sense of that which is beyond human control.
I. How many kinds of fortune are there ?
II. Which of them is the best fortune ?
III. Who is the most fortunate of men ?
Every degree of wealth, however small and impermanent, may be considered to be a fortune. Therefore we shall begin from the estate of an estate-holder. Fortune may favour one in six ways, which I now classify alphabetically : One may be favoured by fortune i. by Adoption; ii. by Birth; ill by Discovering precious stones, metals, and hidden treasures; iv. by Gift; v. by Reversionary Inheritance; vi. by Self-acquisition.
Now I will classify them in the order of precedence and give some reasons for the order I give.
1. The fortune that comes by birth is the best of all; because the man who receives fortune by birth, though he may receive kind treatment and comfort only like the other children of his parents, is yet respected by all his people as their future ruler from the moment of his birth.
2. Fortune obtained by adoption follows that which comes by birth; because generally adoptions take place when a boy is young. From that moment every care is taken of the boy just as if he were a son born in his adopted family.
3. Fortune obtained by reversionary inheritance comes as the third in rank. This fortune comes to a person at various ages. But before he obtains it he is counted as an ordinary person. I always regret, however, the acquisition of wealth from a mother's branch of the family, as, of necessity, it implies extinction of the maternal line.
4. Then comes the fourth kind, the fortune obtained by discovering precious stones, minerals and sometimes hidden wealth.
5. The fortune obtained by gift is put fifth in rank among the various kinds of fortune. As there is no self-exertion in obtaining this fortune, it is placed immediately before the fortune got by self-exertion. It can hardly be looked upon as altogether good fortune as the one got by self-exertion.
6. Self-acquired property—if it is large enough to be called fortune- is classed as the last kind of fortune, for, though a man has acquired property by his own exertions, there must be, according to the Hindus, some help of Providence even for this fortune to be acquired. Self-acquired property is for this reason regarded as a fortune also. You will, besides, later on see that without self-exertion none of the fortunes can remain and be regarded as fortunes.
Now comes the question, who is the most fortunate amongst those who obtain one or another of these six classes of fortune. Fortune may come to a person providentially, but unless he, by his own exertions, manages it to the best possible advantage to that fortune he will not be a fortunate man at all after a few years. His fortune decreases day by day. So, by whatever way he acquires fortune, he must manage it to the greatest possible advantage. Then he may be called the most fortunate man. Then who is considered to be by far the most fortunate man? One who obtains his fortune by one or more of the above modes, except the sixth, and increases the fortune by the sixth, viz., self-acquisition, is called by far the most fortunate man. Some people, though fortunate by birth, obtain more by reversionary inheritance or by finding valuable things in their estates or by both. If they manage those fortunes to the best advantage and acquire more by self-exertion, they are much the most fortunate men. Therefore, my young friends, don't you think that you are fortunate because you have got any of the other five heaven-sent fortunes, when you are without the sixth. Remember that only if you manage your property to the best advantage and acquire some additional immovable or landed property, will you deserve to be considered to be by far the most fortunate man; and the Almighty will be pleased with you, because you have increased the fortune that has been allotted to you by Him.