"Kanjoos makhichoos" is a Hindi phrase used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person. the phrase paints a vivid picture of someone who is incredibly unwilling to part with their possessions or money, even to the point of being ridiculously frugal. They are more interested in accumulating wealth, but hesitate to make proper use of it. Describing the consequences of being a miser, Sanskrit says;
वीणेव श्रोत्रहीनस्य लोलाक्षीव विचक्षुशः |
व्यसौ कुसुममालेव श्रीः कर्दयस्य निष्फला ||
Veeneva shrotraheenasya lolaaksheeva vichakshushah.
Vyasau kusumamaaleva shreeh kardayasya nishphalaa.
Veeneva = veenaa + iva.
Veena = an ancient stringed musical
instrument for playing Classical Music.
Iva = like, than
Shrotraheenasay = a deaf person's.
Lolaaksheeva = lolaakshee + iva.
Lolaakshee = a damsel with beautiful rolling eyes.
Vyasau = a dead person.
Kusumamaaleva = Kusuma + maalaa + iva.
Kusuma = flower.
Maalaa = garland.
Shreeh = wealth.
Kardayasya = a miser's
Nishphalaa = useless.
i.e. A melodious music played on the Veena (indian classical musical instrument) for a deaf person, a beautiful girl with restless eyes for a blind person, a garland of flowers around the neck of a dead person, and the wealth of a miserly person. All these are fruitless (useless) for them.
Misers are so focused on accumulating wealth that they rarely, if ever, spend it on things that would bring them joy or improve their quality of life. A miser's wealth is often considered useless because they hoard it without enjoying it or using it to improve their own or others lives. While they may accumulate a large fortune, they deny themselves basic comforts, social interactions, and the satisfaction of using their wealth for meaningful purpose.
I read an article in one of the newspaper in India, where huge amount of cash recovered from a beggars body who died on the street. He beg through out the life, but hardly ever made use of his money. A miser's wealth is a collection of resources that provides them with no real benefit, as they are unwilling or unable to use it for its intended purpose i.e. to improve life. My Dad belive that wealth is only valuable when it is used to enhance one's life and contribute to the well-being of others.
