The jnani lets go of his identification with worldly things, distinguishing 'not this, not this'.
concept
Materialism
Materialism refers to an overemphasis on worldly possessions and wealth across spiritual traditions. Many traditions converge on the idea that excess materialism hinders spiritual growth. However, they diverge on the severity of this hindrance and proposed remedies.
2,321 quotes
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Quotes
You are my father, you are my mother, you are my kinsman, and you are my divinity. Salutations to the Guru who awakens the soul to the true nature of this world.
त्वं पिता त्वं च मे माता त्वं बन्धुस्त्वं च देवता । संसारप्रतिबोधार्थं तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः
Without giving up worldly attachments, one can never achieve true happiness. Without renunciation, one can never attain their highest good or find peace.
You cannot realize God if you have even the slightest bit of egoism, attachment to name and form, or worldly desires in your mind.
The heart that has been consumed by worldly desires cannot be influenced by higher feelings and cannot be shaped into a beautiful form.
How can I call out to you, Lord, with a mind that's so worldly and stained? Can a straw survive unharmed when thrown into a pit of fiery coals?
While enjoying material comforts, we should be thankful to the provider.
bound by hundreds of cords of hope, devoted to desire and anger, they strive to amass wealth by unjust means for the enjoyment of their desires.
आशापाशशतैर्बद्धाः कामक्रोधपरायणाः | ईहन्ते कामभोगार्थमन्यायेनार्थसञ्चयान् ||१६-१२||
They say the world is without truth, without foundation, without a God, brought about by mutual union, and caused by nothing but desire.
असत्यमप्रतिष्ठं ते जगदाहुरनीश्वरम् | अपरस्परसम्भूतं किमन्यत्कामहैतुकम् ||१६-८||
The water that has washed the Guru's feet dries up the swamp of sin, kindles the radiance of wisdom, and carries one fully across the ocean of worldly existence.
शोषणं पापपङ्कस्य दीपनं ज्ञानतेजसाम् । गुरुपादोदकं सम्यक् संसारार्णवतारकम्
Unbridled material progress is leading towards destruction. It is essential to have a check of spirituality on it.
Maitreyi said, 'Sir, if this whole earth full of wealth were mine, would I become immortal by it?' 'No,' said Yajnavalkya. 'Your life would be like that of the wealthy; but there is no hope of immortality through wealth.'
सा होवाच मैत्रेयी यन्नु म इयं भगोः सर्वा पृथिवी वित्तेन पूर्णा स्यात् कथं तेनामृता स्यामिति । नेति होवाच याज्ञवल्क्यो यथैवोपकरणवतां जीवितं तथैव ते जीवितꣳ स्यादमृतत्वस्य तु नाऽऽशाऽस्ति वित्तेनेति ॥ २॥
Looking after them, Prajapati said: 'They are going away without having grasped or understood the Self. Whichever of the two — gods or demons — holds to this doctrine will be defeated.' Now Virocana, with a contented heart, went to the demons and taught them this doctrine: that the self alone is to be worshipped here, the self alone is to be served, and that by worshipping and serving the self here one obtains both this world and the next.
तौ हान्वीक्ष्य प्रजापतिरुवाचानुपलभ्यात्मानमननुविद्य व्रजतो यतर एतदुपनिषदो भविष्यन्ति देवा वासुरा वा ते पराभविष्यन्तीति स ह शान्तहृदय एव विरोचनोऽसुराञ्जगाम तेभ्यो हैतामुपनिषदं प्रोवाचात्मैवेह महय्य आत्मा परिचर्य आत्मानमेवेह महयन्नात्मानं परिचरन्नुभौ लोकाववाप्नोतीमं चामुं चेति
The way beyond does not shine for the childish one, careless, deluded by the delusion of wealth. Thinking, 'This is the world, there is no other,' he falls again and again into my power.
न साम्परायः प्रतिभाति बालं प्रमाद्यन्तं वित्तमोहेन मूढम् । अयं लोको नास्ति पर इति मानी पुनः पुनर्वशमापद्यते मे ॥ ६॥
"This I have gained today; this longing I shall fulfill. This wealth is mine, and this too shall become mine."
इदमद्य मया लब्धमिमं प्राप्स्ये मनोरथम् | इदमस्तीदमपि मे भविष्यति पुनर्धनम् ||१६-१३||
Beset by immeasurable anxiety that ends only with death, taking the gratification of desire to be their highest aim, convinced that this is all there is;
चिन्तामपरिमेयां च प्रलयान्तामुपाश्रिताः | कामोपभोगपरमा एतावदिति निश्चिताः ||१६-११||
Even a single tiny particle of dust from the Guru's feet serves as a bridge across the vast ocean of worldly existence. That supreme Guru, our Lord and Teacher, we worship and revere.
यत्पादरेणुकणिका कापि संसारवारिधेः । सेतुबन्धायते नाथं देशिकं तमुपास्महे
Satsanga or association with the Guru is an armour and fortress to guard you against all temptations and unfavourable forces of the material world.
Man searches for tranquillity in the worldly materials which in fact cannot produce it. Wherever the lust for worldly materials has the upper hand, there is distress, there is misery. Desires produce unhappiness whether man lives in a small hut, a big bungalow or a palace.
That is why even today people say of one who gives no gifts, has no faith, and offers no sacrifices, 'What a demon!' — for this is the doctrine of the demons. They adorn the body of the dead with food, clothing, and ornaments, for by this they think they will win the other world.
तस्मादप्यद्येहाददानमश्रद्दधानमयजमानमाहुरासुरो बतेत्यसुराणाꣳ ह्येषोपनिषत्प्रेतस्य शरीरं भिक्षया वसनेनालंकारेणेति सꣳस्कुर्वन्त्येतेन ह्यमुं लोकं जेष्यन्तो मन्यन्ते