‘Nir-dhanasya’ means the condition of being without required resources. ‘Kuta-sukham’ means where is the comfort? Together, the entire statement refers to the plight of individuals or organisations struggling for resources and in a deep state of plight.

‘Dhanam’ is the condition of being adequate with resources. Resources are of different types. They can be material, and they can also be relational. In the case of money and physical resources, people do appreciate the need for these, as many or any of the projects one undertakes require a commitment of resources.

Even for the routine life, the householder in this world needs minimal required flow on a periodic basis. He also requires some stock to take care of emergencies or urgent situations one may be forced to be in or get into. This raises the question: how much of the flow and stock one may require? The answer depends on the situation one is in, the aspirations, and finally the cushion of security one can draw upon in unforeseen circumstances.

‘Dhanam’ accrues to one based on the ‘prarabdha’ one is passing through. It again depends on the overall ‘life snapshot’ situation based on the prarabdha that can be gauged through one’s birth chart and the current situation, which can be inferred through the dasha/antardashas one is passing through. Instant gauging can be appreciated through the ‘varshaphala,’ meaning the ‘annual outcome,’ often cast on the birthday.

The overall life situation may be supported broadly by ‘service’ or business. In rare cases, one may be endowed with ‘derived assets’ through ancestral ‘draw-ins’ and spend an easy life. Many of the service-class people get their resource situation indicated by a combination of concerned houses and the placements and aspects thereof. Similarly, the business aspects are read through a combination of concerned houses and the placements and aspects of the concerned.

Having understood the overall possibility and periodic inputs that can happen, the revisited basic question is how much is sufficient, and that is the triggering point. It is also said that ‘asantushta’ can never be made happy and always remain sad. Thus, keeping one’s desires in control, not shooting off the graceful point, and staying content shall definitely give more answers on how ‘sukham’ is achieved. Only shantam is real sukham. 

About the author

Dr. S. Ainavolu is a Mumbai-based teacher of Management and Tradition. Intent is NextGen’s learning and cultural education.