Monday, April 18, 2011

Subh Labh........

Today one of my friend ask me a question should it be Shubh Labh or Labh Shubh that people write with kumkum at there worship place.and my answer was Shubh & Laabh : These are 2 words that are firmly embedded in the psyche of every Indian. Every household & business establishment has these 2 words along with the Swastika & the images of Goddess Lakshmi & Lord Ganesha on either sides. 


           
Shubh Labh is an inscription one sees in many business places (or at entrances to traditional business places) in India. It is written in devnagri script on either side of a swastika  with KumKum. Literally translated it means, auspicious profit and is generally denoted by a Swastik which is pointed towards right.

I am not sure where this term started from (do let me know in case you are aware) and I am also not sure how this term escaped the attention of them socialists how can profit be auspicious, after all we are socialists during our heady days of socialism.

The Marwaris  and many others have something called a Bahi Khata pooja which is basically a day on Diwali /Laxmi Pooja where the ledgers and records are worshipped. When something is worshipped, the underlying meaning is that it is good, ethical. Which is why, for many businessmen, being fair in business is a big thing. The connection with spirituality and worship is a way of "corporate governance", though the meaning of it has been largely diluted today and shubh labh is now more about labh than about shubh.

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