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Endurance
(Song of an ascetic—Story of Avanti Brahmin)
The spotless fame of a renowned man and the excellent qualities of a virtuous man are spoiled by greed, however little it may be, just as a small patch of white skin or leucoderma spoils even the most beautiful forms.
In acquiring wealth, in improving it when got, in protecting it, in spending it, in its loss and use, men experience only exertion, fear, anxiety and delusion.
Theft, injury to others, falsehood, hypocrisy, lust, anger, pride, haughtiness, discord, enmity, distrust, envy, over-indulgence in women, wine and gamblings—these fifteen evils pertaining to men have indeed, their source in wealth. Therefore one who is desirous of obtaining the highest good should abandon the evil known as wealth from a distance.
Also brothers, wives, fathers and friends fall out and soon become enemies for the sake of a small sum of money. For the sake of a little money they quarrel and become enraged. They abandon all prior remembrance and affection, and out of jealousy stand in the way of one another, attack and kill one another.
Having attained a human birth which is covetable even by gods and a high place viz., the foremost life of a Brahmin, those who neglect this and spoil their own interests (viz., Self-realisation) surely reach the most miserable end.
Having attained this human body, the gateway to heaven and emancipation, which mortal man would be attached to wealth, the abode of all evil?
The miser who hoards and guards his wealth like a Yaksha, who does not share it with the gods, the Rishis, the Pitris, relatives, friends, lower animals who all deserve a share, and does not use it for his own self, falls down.
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