A successful lawyer from Uttar Pradesh decided to buy property in Unitech Golf Country Homes, in Noida. One of his friends asked him why he wanted to own property in that very expensive colony. He answered: “Because I do not want my Mercedes to be parked next to a Santro.”
Why did this lawyer talk like this? It is because he considered his car a mere commercial commodity. He only knew that he had the money to buy a Mercedes and so he purchased it by paying the required amount. But, this is to seriously misconstrue the whole issue. In reality, the car, rather than being a mere commodity is a great divine gift.
God created man, then He provided him with natural forms of transport such as horses, camels, mules and so on. This was the first phase of vehicles. God knew that this would not be sufficient for man. So, as a potential, He kept other forms of transport in the natural world. This potential was that of mechanical vehicles. By utilizing his God-given mind, man made many discoveries about nature, and in this way, he was able, for example, to invent the wheel. Then, after long research, he went on to invent wheeled vehicles, such as the bicycle and the car. Modern vehicles are God-given, in terms of potential. And since many countries and their citizens have been involved in turning this natural potential into actuality, these vehicles must also be seen as a gift from humanity.
If one ponders over this entire history, one will first of all be lead to acknowledgement of the Creator. In religious terms, this is known as gratitude. And when he thinks about the immense hard work on the part of humanity that went into developing these vehicles, he will thank all of humanity, as it was through its efforts that cars were first manufactured and then made into commercial commodities for common use.
Keeping this entire history in mind, one will realize that a car or a vehicle is God’s great bounty, and in making it reach the commercial level, humanity as a whole has played an important role. When one thinks in this way, one will first and foremost acknowledge God and then acknowledge humanity. One will realize that the money by which one purchases a car is of indeed a very negligible value.
The above statement by the lawyer is indicative of the mindset of every person. There is no difference between people in this matter. Their case is different only in terms of degree. Every man and woman is engaged in the same kind of thinking.
However, this is not a simple matter. Those who have such a mindset will become proud and arrogant. On the contrary, one who thinks that the item he has bought from the market is from one angle a divine gift, and from another angle, a gift from humanity, and that his own contribution to it is nil, will certainly feel humbled. There is no greater virtue than modesty.
If an individual acknowledges the contribution of others, it will cause him to be modest and think positively. Such an attitude and way of thinking are the source of all kinds of social good. Failing this, arrogance and pride – which are the root cause of all social evils – will ultimately prevail.
Source: Leading A Spiritual Life
