Bhaja Govindam is Shankaracharya’s urgent wake-up call. Its central theme is simple: The world is unstable. Death is certain. Attachment is bondage. Seek Govinda (Truth) instead of chasing illusion. Among the strongest illusions is artha — wealth. Shankara exposes how money shapes relationships, identity, and fear. Verse 2 — Wealth and Lust Feed the Fire of Delusion Sanskrit मूढ जहीहि धनागमतृष्णां कुरु सद्बुद्धिं मनसि वितृष्णाम्। यल्लभसे निजकर्मोपात्तं वित्तं तेन विनोदय चित्तम्॥ Meaning “O fool! Give up the thirst for accumulating wealth. Cultivate noble thoughts and detachment in the mind. Whatever wealth comes through honest work, be content with that and keep the mind serene.” Commentary: The Problem is Not Wealth, but Craving Shankara does not say: “Do not earn.” He says: Give up trishna — the burning thirst. Because wealth craving is endless. • More money → more desire • More desire → more fear • More fear → more bondage The tyranny begins when money becomes psychological addiction. Wealth’s Hidden Chain: Contentment is Liberation Shankara teaches a radical spiritual economics: • Enough is freedom • Excess craving is slavery True wealth is not accumulation… It is inner sufficiency.