Poverty

History of Poverty

Poverty is as old as human society. It was considered as a sin and had the belief that there was no excaping from it. Alms giving as charitable donations to the poor was an important part of life in HInduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. The holy men (saints) enjoyed simple and poor life. Their motto of life was "simple living high thinking". Sudama, close friend of Lord Krishna, was very poor. Poverty never became a constraint in their friendship. To alleivate poverty was the main aim of the rulers or kings of ancient age. "I needn't the luxury and treasury of state. I need not the Heaven, and I need not Mokshya or the process ot gaining spiritual freedom. I only wish helping the poor, disables, suffering from sick and hunger." - Said King Rantidev (The Holy Bhagavata).

As the beggary in common in Muslims and HInduism, no such evidences are noticed in other religions. Every poor Sikh that participates in the langarkhana (common free lunch) is motivated to go out, earn for a living and one day tries to host such langarkhana with his own earning. That might be the reason no Sikh is seen begging in the road.

- Kunwar, K.B. - "The Himilayan Poverty", Meena Publication, Kathmandu, 2002 (pp. 21-22)