Stock Market Learning with Kabir’s Dohas

book  *Dohanomics* written by Mr. Vinayak Sapre. The writer has beautifully correlated the dohas of *Sant Kabir & Rahim* as to how investor should behave  while investing their hard earned money.

1. Make Your Portfolio Meaningful

*साधु ऐसा चािहए, जैसा सूप सुभाय ।*

*सार – सार को गिह रहै, थोथा देई उड़ाय ।।*

When the market is on the upswing, i.e. when everybody on the street is over optimistic. After falling prey to greed, people realise that they have accumulated many stocks or instruments which are of no use and by that time the market also tanks. At this hour, they need an advisor who can clean up their portfolio and align it to their needs and help them to get rid of bad investments they made following the herd.It is very important to have a trustworthy, knowledgeable and competent advisor.

2. Patience is the key

*धीरे –धीरे  रे  मना, धीरे  सब कु छ होय ।*

*माली सीचे सौ घड़ा, ॠतु आए फल होय II*

This is one of the most important aspects of successful investing. When one is investing in equity markets or equitymutual funds one needs to have a long-term horizon. By pouring a lot of water on a plant at one go, you can’t expect fruits immediately, it will come only in the season, till that time you will have to keep watering it regularly. Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a good way of investing for retail investors. Not only does it inculcate the habit of regular investing, it also makes an investor more disciplined.

3. Plan for the retirement

*माँगन मरण समान है, िमत माँगो कोई भीख ।*

*माँगन से तो मरना भला, यह सतगु की सीख II*

The most ignored financial goal amongst Indians is retirement. People don’t realise the importance it should be given. Most old people they see around them today are pensioners and not too dependent on their children. This will not be the case, going forward as more and more people are forced to or choose to retire before the age of 50. This results in another 30 years of retirement. Secondly, the inflation in medical expenses is very high, therefore, it is advisable to plan for retirement to avoid dependency on others. As Kabir says, “Being dependent on others is equal to dying; if not physically then mentally.

4. On choosing the right advisor

*साधु–ऐसा चािहए, जाका पूरा मंग ।*

*िवपि पड़े छाड़ै नही, चढ़े चौगुना रं ग ।।*

What kind of advisor does an investor need? One who can hand hold the investor during tough emotional and financial situations.  Further, a financial advisor needs to be more engaged with the investor during tough times. The advisor’s efforts during bad times should be four times more than on normal days.

*Sant Kabir & Rahim* as to how investor should behave / act while investing their hard earned money

5. Advisor- Friend, philosopher, and guide

*साधु आवत देखकर, हँसी हमारी देह ।*

*माथा का ह उतरा, नैनन बढ़ा सनेह ।।*

An advisor should be dependable. A successful financial advisor often becomes a sounding board for his clients. An advisor is a good coach, a guide, and a great empathiser. It is assumed that a good advisor is like a financial doctor. In fact, a good advisor plays a much bigger role than a mere financial doctor.

6. Attaining financial freedom enables you to pursue your passions and live a meaningful life.

*चाह िमटी, िचंता िमटी मनवा बेपरवाह ।*

*िजसको कु छ नही ं चािहए वह शहनशाह II*

The investor should try to achieve a state of financial freedom. This is a state wherein one feels like a real king. When someone doesn’t have any more dreams to achieve, there is no peer pressure. One can live life the way one wants to. Such people feel like ‘The true King’.

It’s always better to focus on the goals of life and enjoy every bit of it. People who plan their financial lives well generally start planning very early.

7. Do not procrastinate

*काल करे  सो आज कर, आज करे  सो अब ।*

*पल म लय होएगी, बर करे गा कब ।।*

When it comes to taking action on health and wealth, people tend to procrastinate and postpone it for tomorrow, which very often never comes. Sant Kabir says finish tomorrows work today and today’s work at the current moment because one doesn’t know when one will fall on one’s deathbed. We are born with a purpose. Let us not waste any opportunity procrastinating.

People say *दुघटना से देर भली, लेिकन यहाँ देर ही दुघटना है ।