The Most Unfortunate Person in the World
Yahāṃ hai (wealthy in the material world), vahāṃ nahīṃ hai (poor in the spiritual realm), and yahāṃ nahīṃ hai (poor here), vahāṃ hai (wealthy in the spiritual realm) - these two rules are natural in the world. In other words -
- One who possesses worldly opulence does not progress spiritually, because attachment to the world binds them.
nahiṃ kou asa janamā jaga māhīṃ, prabhutā pāi jāhi mada nāhīṃ।
śrīmada vakra na kīnha kehi prabhutā badhira na kāhi।
When someone acquires worldly objects, their intellect becomes filled with pride. A wealthy person is constantly surrounded by people attempting to extract money from him. They also shower false praise upon him. This inflates his ego, leading him to think, "Ten people salute me. I am like an assistant God." This increases his pride. Therefore, he forgets God. This is a natural rule.
Even an ordinary sub-inspector flaunts his badge, puffed up with authority, thinking, "I am in charge of this area; I can put anyone in jail." The higher the position, the greater the sense of superiority. Who can get rid of it? Such a person forgets God because people flatter and cling to him for their own benefit.
Sarvaḥ svārtha samīhate -
In general, no one pays attention to others. Everyone is attracted to others only to fulfill their own selfish motives. This is because everyone's underlying goal is the same: to attain happiness. Thus, people constantly devise strategies to extract happiness from others, thinking, "What should I say so they accept my words? How should I behave to gain what I want?" This alone occupies their contemplation, planning, and practice.
This is why, when God told Kunti to ask for a boon, she prayed, "Grant me adversity. If I attain worldly possessions due to my destiny, then take them away, too."
She asked for suffering - that is, the 'absence' of worldly opulence.
sukha ke māthe sila pare nāma hiye te jāya।
balihārī vā duḥkha kī jo pala pala nāma raṭāya॥ -
When severe calamities strike, even great atheists become theists. They visit various temples, mosques, and holy men, asking for their wishes to be granted. However, this devotion lasts only until their problem is solved. Once their purpose is fulfilled, they revert to their former state.
- Those who lack worldly wealth - the poor, the sick, the disgraced, those whom even relatives neglect - are ignored by society, yet they possess spiritual wealth. The nature of the world is such that when a tree bears fruit, birds flock to it uninvited, eat, chirp, and then fly away. When the fruits disappear, even if the tree calls the birds, the birds fly over it, saying, "We will return when you bear fruit again."
A millionaire, surrounded by admirers, loses them all when he goes bankrupt. No one even enquires about him then. When a high-ranking official retires, even a constable no longer respects him. He sits alone in his bungalow, reading novels and reminiscing about past glory. He thinks, "I was a governor once, but no one cares for me now." Only the one who has experienced worldly opulence can truly understand this sorrow - common people cannot comprehend it.
In the absence of worldly possessions, however, one believes in God in some form or another.
And these two categories are rare -
- One who possesses both worldly wealth and spiritual wealth.
Such individuals have practiced devotion in past lives or have taken shelter of a genuine saint in this life and received true philosophical knowledge from the Guru. Even while remaining wealthy, they move toward God. This is why high-ranking officials such as collectors, commissioners, and judges attend Shri Maharaj Ji's satsang. Due to impressions from previous births, they are drawn toward God. However, this is uncommon. - Rarer still, and most unfortunate, are those who possess neither worldly wealth nor inclination toward God. Instead, they speak ill of God. Rather than blaming their own karma, they abuse God.
Therefore, you should not chase after material wealth, because doing so is sinful. Possessing wealth according to destiny is acceptable, but you must remember that it is not permanent. You came into this world with nothing and will even leave the body behind. Only your karma will accompany you. Those blessed with material wealth should remain extra careful, control themselves, attend satsang, continuously cultivate humility, and remember that God resides in all. Such a person will not misuse wealth and incur sin. Even if they move slowly toward God, they will at least be reborn as humans again. Otherwise, one will have to roam among 84 lakh species after death. By misusing the human body, what can be said of a prime minister, even Indra becomes a dog in his next birth.
God has graced you with a human body in this birth for devotion. Instead, if you trouble others, create conflicts, and accumulate endless material wealth, it is considered a sin, for which you will have to suffer the consequences.
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