Continuing his journey to Varanasi, Richard stopped at Agra and visited the Taj Mahal, a seventeenth-century tomb glorified as one of the wonders of the world. He admired the monumental marble structure, and read a booklet on its history. A Mogul King had built the structure in memory of his wife, employing twenty thousand workmen and craftsmen. The structure took twenty two years to complete, and the hands of the gifted craftsmen were severed to assure they would never duplicate this monument. However one of the king’s sons usurped the kingdom, imprisoned his own father and killed his brothers.
Richard tried to make sense of it all, wondering how after such a magnificent construction, the king only suffered miserably, as his family battled and murdered one another.
“Such is the pitiful consequence of greed for power. In the heart that harbors the weed of selfish greed, the flower of love cannot survive. To conquer one’s envy, lust, and greed, now that is truly monumental.”
While three hundred fifty years have passed since greed blinded these rulers to kill for power, even today greed destroys people. Mr Hansie Cronje, the captain of the South African cricket team met a similar fate. His ambitions soared high as he revolutionized cricketing strategies. As the South African team reigned supreme, millions of dollars poured in, bringing Hansie unprecedented fame and wealth. But he wanted more and secretly tied up with the bookies. Suddenly one day he was exposed in a disgraceful match fixing scandal, and while cricket lovers felt betrayed, Hansie’s life dramatically changed overnight and from a hero he had become a villain. Few years ago, an air crash ended the 36-year-old’s nightmarish life; a heroic saga transforming and culminating in a tragic and premature end.
Radhanath Swami explains the cause of greed in human society, “A man becomes greedy for wealth and power when he has no higher objective in life and when he thinks that this earthly life of a few years is all in all.” Convinced that life is merely a combination of various chemicals, man seeks to go all out, giving in to the urges of body and mind. Fulfilling these baser instincts necessitates exploiting both the scarce resources and precious lives of others. As self-centered individuals come together, behind the veil of social norms and courtesies, there’s plotting to topple the other. When selfish greed takes precedence over God centered values, strife and ego clashes are inevitable. Radhanath Swami therefore implores us to engage our precious time, energy and wealth for self-realization rather than self-aggrandizement.
Quoting ancient scriptures, Radhanath Swami says that since human life is meant for inquiring about the Absolute Truth, that alone should be the goal of our life. The loving propensity towards God has to be reawakened in the burning hearts of modern society. The overwhelming power of love washes off all selfish desires to enjoy at the cost of others. Experiencing deep inner peace and satisfaction, a spiritualist becomes unshaken by the temptations of greed. He only seeks to serve and please the Lord.
Radhanath Swami encourages us to be greedy to love and serve God, “A devotee’s ever expanding greed for service to God adds to his spiritual wealth. This wealth and greed is desirable for it not only purifies us of all material contamination, it also helps us achieve real peace and well being in society.”
Table of Contents
Founder-acharya of the International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
“Go to India” a sweet but commanding voice; spoke up in the heart of young Richard (later Radhanath Swami) who was immersed in meditation, his search for meaning in life has brought him to the Isle of Crete. Today he was ordered to go to India. Born and raised in the middle class suburbs of Chicago, Radhanath swami grew up in the 1950’s and 60’s era when popular musicians protested war, prejudice and social injustice. Radhanath swami would listen to these songs again and again, but their lyrics referring to God stirred his soul. Peter, Paul and Mary- the folk trio from Greenswich village sang in their debut album
“Early in the morning, about the break of day
I ask the Lord, to help me find my way”
This simple prayer was to guide Radhanath swami in the coming years of his life........
Wow! Radhanath Swami explains what he realized with regards to the evils of greed and then he explains how to be ‘greedy’ to do the right thing – Serve God. At every stage he teaches us how to dovetail all good and bad in Service to God.
View CommentProfound statement “A man becomes greedy for wealth and power when he has no higher objective in life and when he thinks that this earthly life of a few years is all in all.” Thank you Radhanath Swami:)
View Commentthe mistake of thinking that this dead matter will satisfy our hearts is sooner or later will frustrate us, As Maharaj stated only the love can bring about real satisfaction and peace
View Comment“Such is the pitiful consequence of greed for power. In the heart that harbors the weed of selfish greed, the flower of love cannot survive. To conquer one’s envy, lust, and greed, now that is truly monumental.” very rightly said by HH Radhanath Swami
View CommentMay be one day, I will be able to free myself from greed with Maharaj’s mercy
View CommentThe Taj Mahal story is really graphic. And its the reality of this world. But how many of us actually think of Taj Mahal in this way. For most of us its just a picnic spot and a monnument of love. But is it? Its actually the focal point of hatred and betrayal. It takes a spiritualist to reveal these realities and wake us up from the slumber of illusion.
View CommentThis makes it clear that our selfish desires will always cause hindrance to others, and that our pursuit for individual happiness will be at the cost of others.
View CommentWow! what a powerful statement made by Radhanath Swami “To conquer one’s envy, lust, and greed, now that is truly monumental.” True value is cretaed only when our efforts are directed on improving our internal values and washing away all our faluts of envy lust greed etc. No amount of tedious external efforts to create external edifices will be appreciated in the long run as soneone or other will gradually bring it down out of same negative qualities of greed , envy etc which we ourselves tried to breed. So it is better to develop good internal values and be blissful
View CommentAll Glories TO H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Greed diverted for the right cause can work so much wonders.
Hare Krishna
View CommentThank You Radhanath Swami for making us see this important poiint that if we breed too much Greed in our hearts in the long term we will certainly bleed from its negative influence
View CommentRadhanath Swami has fantastically brought home the point that being greedy makes one a loser and not a gainer. Thank you.
View CommentAll glories…….Radhanath Swami never ceases to amaze……such wonderful lessons to learn. Life would indeed be so blissful and serene if each individual took these lessons with utmost seriousness.
View Commentvery good lesson to be implemented by everyone, including me, being greedy is not bad if it is oriented to a higher cause and higher purpose which will be an encouraging factor in one’s life,,
View Commentinteresting!!
View CommentVery nice. Thank you very much
View Commentone can learn so much from Radhanath maharaj’s personal experiences
View CommentMaharaj’s selfless service attitude is to be emulated by all to bring about harmony in this anxiety ridden world.Thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful message.
View CommentVery profound !
View CommentGreed, anger and enjoying popensity are our worst enemies according to Bhagavad Gita.Lord also tells us what should be our highest purpose of life.If we don’t persue this purpose of life then we will get into bodily concept of life and suffer.
View CommentVery nice example of Taj mahal……..it is true, being blinded by greed, people are ready to commit all types of sinful activities……..not knowing at he time time of death, nothing will remain with them……..
View CommentThis “Greed” lusty desire somewhere supress in smaller form in all human beings. Maharaj is properly explained us how to overcome on this…
View CommentMaharaj very nicely explains the dangers of greed with practical examples. I pray that I remember these instructions and guard against this devouring anartha. Thanks for this wonderful meditation.
View CommentGreed makes our heart hard.
View CommentA hard heart cannot serve.
Without selfless service one cannot be happy.
what a perfect and objective solution to greed!
View CommentWhat an amazing real world example by Radhanath Swami about greed. Here is a simple proposition that makes our lives blissful with Lord’s pure love.
View CommentVery nice blog from Radhanath swami’s book. I pray that by the mercy of Radhanath swami I can overcome lust, greed and envy towards others, instead develop love for others.
View CommentWonderful Insight into Greed by Radhanath Swami
View CommentMaharaj explains very clearly about greed,lust,envy and given a good examples.Thank you so much.HH radhanath swami maharaj ki jaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.
View CommentWhat a brilliant line “Fulfilling these baser instincts necessitates exploiting both the scarce resources and precious lives of others”. This demon of greed keeps haunting us even after we have taken to practicing devotion, the moment we shift our vision from our higher goals. These words of Radhanath Swami will go long way to remain focused all of our lives.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is emphasizing how one must recognize Greed as one of the powerful enemies which could come in way of sincere follower in the path of devotional service
View CommentWe should be greedy to love and serve God.
View CommentWith Maharaj’s mercy, may my greed for service to my spiritual master and the lotus feet of Krishna keep growing an growing. Hari Bol!
View CommentWonderful realization.surely greed for power very harmful for our own lives.so we should be very careful.
View CommentIt’s so shocking to know the king severed the hands of craftsmen. How people become puffed up when they get power. A Vaishnav of the hand is suffers seeing others suffering and happy when others are happy.
View CommentThe modern rat race, global competition are all products of ‘Power of Greed’. A very penetrating realisation that ‘A man becomes greedy for wealth and power when he has no higher objective in life and when he thinks that this earthly life of a few years is all in all.’
View CommentRadhanath Swami encourages us to be greedy to love and serve God.
then greed is not greed.
View CommentWhat a crystal clear concept of greed Maharaj has given us…This proves that at all times we either give in to Krsna’s will or our own ego..
View CommentAmazing article showing the reactions to greed are inevitable.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s explaination on greed is so concise. In the spiritual realm, greed to serve God & His pure devotees is selfless & looked upon as positive & desirable. Whereas material greed is always driven with the objective to serve our own senses & it generally translates in lust. Therefore it is highly undesirable.
View CommentTrue Success:
View Comment“To conquer one’s envy, lust, and greed, now that is truly monumental”
Reason:
“A man becomes greedy for wealth and power when he has no higher objective in life and when he thinks that this earthly life of a few years is all in all.”
Solution:
he loving propensity towards God has to be reawakened in the burning hearts of modern society.The overwhelming power of love washes off all selfish desires to enjoy at the cost of others
So true! If we are greedy in attaining the service of God we will increase our spiritual wealth . However if we are greedy in attianing material wealth it will cause only misery and suffering not only to ourself but also to the one who is our close and dear once.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj has beautifully explained the root cause of human suffering-Greed!
View CommentBeing greedy for the association of saints like Radhanath Swami is very good for our spiritual health!
View CommentVery powerful instructions from Maharajah, “To conquer one’s envy, lust, and greed, now that is truly monumental.” Jai Gurudev.
View Commentamazing story
View CommentA devotee’s ever expanding greed for service to God adds to his spiritual wealth….This is what we should all long for.
View Commentamazing analogy and direction in greed for love and service to God
View CommentNice One !!! Thank you Radhanath Swami.
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami Maharaj here has wonderfully explained the topic “Power of Greed”. Because greed is present in all in one form or the other here Maharaj has encouraged to use greed to love and serve God. I would like to remember this quotes of Maharaj that ““A devotee’s ever expanding greed for service to God adds to his spiritual wealth. This wealth and greed is desirable for it not only purifies us of all material contamination, it also helps us achieve real peace and well being in society.”
View CommentRadhanath Swami teaches all in detail how to do good to ourselves by serving God and we can be free from Greed.
View Comment