Spiritual quotient and the stock market

Talk of correction in markets is always in monetary terms; there is no mention of the need for spiritual solutions. Are money-centric bailouts a stable solution to problems born of greed? It might be interesting and instructive here to recollect the story of Shumbha's battle with Durga in the Markandeya Purana.

The Shumbha-Durga battle is one among countless instances of the fall and rise of the spiritual quotient.

Shumbha and his brother Nishumbha were mighty rulers who had conquered all, including the gods. Having acquired so much power, they assumed that their success was due to their physical prowess; no thought was given to the need for Divine Grace.

The dispossessed gods invoked Devi to overcome the brothers' intoxicated with power to restore cosmic equilibrium.

Devi assumed the form of a bewitching beauty and seated herself atop a hill. She was seen by the servants of Shumbha who duly reported her presence to him. Shumbha sent a messenger to Devi, inviting her to become his queen because he was, he claimed, lord of everything excellent in creation. Devi replied that it was not so easy to attain her; she would have to be won in battle.

Shumbha sent out Dhumralochana to fetch her by diplomacy or force. But the warrior was easily slain by Devi. Herein was signal enough for Shumbha to mend himself. But he disregarded That and trusted the strength of his physical resources. He sent two generals, Chanda and Munda, with a large army. They were soon routed. A larger army with the self-proliferating Raktabija was sent. Even he was annihilated. Nishumbha was then deployed. He too fell.

Shumbha finally arrived and threw all his remaining resources into the battle, only to lose his life and all.

Why did Shumbha not recognise the absurdity of the exertion? Why did he not recognise the need for spiritual insight? The Purana says that it was so because he was overwhelmed by Mahamaya, the Great Illusion. Is that perhaps what ails global business today?

~ KS Ram