Introduction

A NUMBER of Western scholars are attracted towards the ancient wisdom of India. A lot of work has been done and still is being done in different fields of Indology. These scholars appear to be very keen in exploring knowledge and searching truth in their sincere efforts to present before the modern world the precious achievements of Hindu civilization belonging to a time when the rest of the world was groping in the darkness of primitivism. It is true that Western intelligentsia attach value to modern scientific and technological achievements and are hopeful that the suppositions on which they are working will reveal such secrets of nature that will demolish all the ancient faiths and beliefs. But there are few who understand the ancient wisdom of Hindus and are of the opinion that the modern science devoted to materialism will ultimately lead the human being to chaos. In ancient India this phenomenon of materialism was experienced and has been referred to as āsurī sampat in the Gītā, āsurī sampat which when evolved to its climax throttles humanity.

Hindu scriptures, the contributions of sages who visualized the ultimate principles through their intuitive power (ṛtambhara prajñā), successfully unfold the science of daivī sampat (divine propriety) as a way out of the baneful influences of materialism.

The author of this book represents those who attach more importance to the divine fibre in mankind than the outward phenomenon of prosperity. This bold exposition of the truth might arise reactions in modern Indologists in India and abroad, but at the same time compels the reader to see that the modern world at present is suffering from prosperity and not from poverty. But then all this cannot be challenged now because the author is no more in this world and his thoughts remain his last words on this subject.