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The Tyranny of Wealth: Money in Bhaja Govindam and Vemana
How Both Texts Warn Against the Spiritual Dangers of Wealth
February 1, 2026
•Shikshak Content Board
•9 minute read
Section 4 of 9
Verse 11: Wealth and Desire Destroy Discrimination
Sanskrit
कस्त्वं को’हं कुत आयातः
का मे जननी को मे तातः।
इति परिभावय सर्वमसारम्
विश्वं त्यक्त्वा स्वप्नविचारम्॥
(Verse often paired with wealth critique)
But more directly wealth appears in Verse 11 context:
Sanskrit (Popular Wealth Attachment Line)
मा कुरु धनजनयौवनगर्वं
हरति निमेषात्कालः सर्वम्।
Meaning
“Do not take pride in wealth, people, or youth.
Time destroys everything in a moment.”
Commentary: Wealth Produces Pride — Pride Produces Fall
Wealth does not merely tempt greed.
It tempts arrogance.
• “I am successful.”
• “I am powerful.”
• “I am secure.”
But Shankara says:
Time devours all.
Wealth is temporary.
Death is absolute.
Thus pride in money is spiritual blindness.
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