Acharya Mahaprajna
Mahavira prescribed a number of principles for ethical conduct of business:
- Do not weigh or measure fraudulently.
- Do not show one thing and give something else.
- Do not embezzle what is given in trust.
Abhayadevasuri, the commentator of Upasak Dasha Sutra wrote: "At that time, a good deal of adulteration and bribery w as rampant." This type of human nature has always been there. The craving of money has always been there in all ages, at all times. Adulteration was adopted in diverse ways and bribery was widely prevalent.
Chanakya wrote, "It is possible that the fish living in water may start flying in the sky, but it is not possible that the employees serving the state may not take bribe."
Man's nature has always been the same. Craving for money, comforts and pleasure of the senses has always been covetable, and from the time it received the support of intellectuals, it lost all limits. The basis of socialism is materialism, and the basis of capitalism is also materialism. And wherever materialism rules, money, comfort and sensuous pleasure will get predominance. We should, therefore, not be surprised at this abandon and frivolity.
