Why money.

 Nachiketa, the wise and inquisitive seeker from the Katha Upanishad, provides profound insights into the nature of wealth, its limitations, and the necessity of controlling it. His dialogue with Yama, the Lord of Death, highlights his deep understanding of the transient nature of material possessions and the importance of spiritual wisdom over mere accumulation of wealth.

Why Money is Needed

1. Basic Needs and Duties – Money serves as a means to fulfill one’s responsibilities, such as providing for family, performing religious duties, and supporting society. The Vedic tradition emphasizes artha (wealth) as one of the four purusharthas (goals of life), along with dharma (righteousness), kama (desires), and moksha (liberation).

2. Charity and Dharma – Wealth, when used rightly, enables dana (charity), which is an essential aspect of Vedic life. Nachiketa himself was given away in charity by his father, showing the role of wealth in religious practices.

3. Sustaining Civilization – Just as fire needs fuel to burn, human society requires financial stability to function. Proper use of money allows for the development of knowledge, culture, and spiritual pursuits.

What Happens If You Don't Control Wealth

1. Attachment and Greed – When one becomes overly attached to wealth, it leads to greed and dissatisfaction. Yama teaches Nachiketa that worldly riches are impermanent and cannot bring lasting happiness.

2. Fear of Loss – The desire for wealth brings anxiety about its loss. This fear binds a person, making them restless and preventing inner peace.

3. Moral Degradation – Uncontrolled wealth can lead to arrogance, dishonesty, and moral decline. The Katha Upanishad warns that those who seek only wealth will remain trapped in the cycle of birth and death (samsara).

4. Neglect of Higher Knowledge – Those obsessed with wealth often ignore the pursuit of true wisdom. Nachiketa rejects Yama’s offer of riches, understanding that they are temporary distractions from the ultimate goal—self-realization.

Nachiketa’s wisdom teaches that money is a tool, not a goal. When controlled and used with righteousness (dharma), it benefits the world. However, when it controls the individual, it leads to bondage and suffering. True fulfillment comes not from hoarding wealth but from seeking eternal knowledge and liberation (moksha).