Chaiwallah of Dalal Street
How to Invest correctly: -
Tips from the 9 Days of Navratri
Navratri (the nine auspicious days of the lunar calendar
of Hinduism) begins on 21st September this year & the
festivities will be completed on 29th September. Now we all know the
significance of the nine days & also that each day is devoted to one avatar
of Maa Durga. But did you know that the nine days of Navratri also hold a
deeper connect & learnings on how to manage your financial portfolio? Read
on to find out how:
Day 1: Avatar worshipped – Shailaputri
This avatar of the mother goddess is known as the
daughter of the Himalaya (shail = mountain, putri = daughter).
Stay focused:
Remember the mountain when reviewing your financial portfolio. Don’t lose sight
of your goal with every storm. Stay
strong in the face of bad weather (turmoil in markets) & remember that
bright sunny days are around the corner.
Day 2: Avatar worshipped – Brahmacharini
This avatar practices
devout austerity. She is filled with bliss, happiness, peace & prosperity
& it is believed that she bestows the same on devotees.
Financial freedom:
Isn’t happiness & peace what we all want in the end? Isn’t that why we work
so hard to be financially secure? Remember to invest correctly with the help of
an efficient, experienced & learned financial advisor so that you can also
attain happiness & prosperity for yourself & your family.
Day 3: Avatar worshipped – Chandraghanta
This avatar’s name is derived from the chandra (half
moon) in her forehead in the shape of a ghanta (bell). Chandraghanta rides a
lion, has ten hands (each holding a weapon) & is ever vigilant.
Diversification/Asset
allocation: While we have only two hands, we can use asset allocation
to ensure that our financial portfolio has the proverbial ten hands. Spread out
your investments across different asset classes so that in the case of any
problem in a particular asset class, the other ones will be ready to take care
of your financial needs. To simplify, the major assets classes are
stocks/equities, real estate, cash & commodities (Gold, silver, etc).
Day 4: Avatar worshipped – Kushmanda
Kushmanda is considered the creator of the universe.
Plan before
building: While God is the creator of the world we live in, you are the
creator of your financial universe which can only be created by efficient planning. Always set your
goals – short term, mid-term & long term – based on which you should plan
your investments. Like the universe is constantly changing, so will your goals.
Sit with your financial advisor every few months & update your goals, if
required.
Day 5: Avatar worshipped – Skanda Mata
She is the mother of Skanda, or Karthikeya, who was
chosen by the gods as their commander-in-chief in the war against the demons. The
Skanda Mata avatar of the Mother Goddess is accompanied by Skanda in his infant
form who she protects.
Succession
planning: You are building a financial portfolio so that you can
provide the best of everything to your family. But you need to protect these
finances as well. Make sure that you have adequate term insurance to cover the
financial loss of an untimely demise. Also, as soon as you start earning or own
any assets, be sure to make a will so that your assets are transferred to your
successors smoothly after your passing.
Day 6: Avatar worshipped – Katyayani
In order to destroy Mahishasura, Maa Durga took the
avatar of Katyayani. Born in a fit of divine rage & anger, she emits a
radiant light from her body from which darkness & evil cannot hide. Despite
her appearance, Hindus believe that she can bestow a sense of calm & inner
peace upon all who worship her.
Demolish greed:
We live in a day & age when we can
get a loan faster than a pizza. Maintain your inner peace & calm &
do not get swayed by the greed of easy money. Borrow money for a need (which
builds an asset for you), not for a want (which becomes a liability).
Day 7: Avatar worshipped – Kaal Ratri
Kaal Ratri avatar is also known as Shubhamkari, which
means "one who does good." She is a fearsome-looking deity, with a
dark complexion, disheveled hair, four arms, & three eyes. Like Kali, the
goddess who destroys evil, Kaal Ratri has black skin & is worshipped as a
protector of Hindu faithful, one to be both honored & feared. In her left
hand, she holds a vajra, or spiked club, & a dagger, both of which she uses
to fight the forces of evil. Her right hands, meanwhile, beckon to the
faithful, offering them protection from darkness & allaying all fears.
Technology:
Yes, technology – On the one hand it can be used to destroy things but in this
case I want you to focus on how technology can be used to make financial
transactions, charges & information transparent & easily available for
you as well as how it is used to protect all the digital transactions that run
today’s global financial world. Use it to keep
yourself informed & to manage
your finances better.
Day 8: Avatar worshipped – Maha Gauri
Maha Gauri is believed to have done long austerities in
the deep forests of the Himalayas. Hindus believe that by paying homage to Maha
Gauri, all past, present, & future sins will be washed away, imparting a
deep sense of inner peace.
Reach out to
those who have attained knowledge over the years: You most likely are
working in a job which is not connected to finance. So it would make sense to
take the help of experts who have spent many years working in this field to
help you invest your money in the best way, so that you are at peace.
There are two ways to go about this – Hire an experienced
& learned financial advisor to
help you with your portfolio. Yes – HIRE. Please discuss their fees with them &
pay them. Would you go to a doctor who doesn’t charge you? No right, then why don’t we apply the same
logic for our financial health as well?
The second thing to do is to consider investing through
mutual funds. Mutual funds have fund
managers & large research teams who are constantly studying market trends &
the reports of companies, to ensure that your money is invested in the most
ideal form so as to provide you with the best possible returns.
Day 9: Avatar worshipped – Siddhidatri
The last day of Navratri is celebrated by worshiping the
Siddhidatri avatar of Maa Durga. Her name means "giver of supernatural
power," & Hindus believe she grants wisdom & insight to those who worship
her.
Gain self
knowledge: While taking the help of a competent financial advisor is
highly recommended, do undertake a bit of self study as well so that you may
gain some wisdom & insight as well. Take some time to read about financial
planning & educate yourself about proper investment methods.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this article. Please do
share your thoughts with me.
IMPORTANT: These are just some guidelines & should
not be taken as any specific investment advice. Please always consult with your
financial advisor before making any investments.
May Goddess Durga shower blessings of happiness, peace
& prosperity on you, your family & your friends & I wish that in
all avenues of your life may Good always prevail over Evil.
