multiplication of desires. Be satisfied with whatever you have been
given. In the chapter on devotion, Krishna enumerated the 26 noble
qualities which endear a devotee to the Lord. Of these, contentment
stands out as one of the most important characteristics of a devotee. It
means not running after worldly enjoyments. You have enjoyed so many
luxuries and so many sensual things in your life but you have not gained
peace and fulfillment from them. Give up chasing after them and you will
gain contentment. The heart of a person who does not have contentment is
like a bamboo basket riddled with holes. If you try to draw water out of
a well using such a basket, by the time it comes up, all the water will
have leaked out. There will not even be a drop of water left to quench
your thirst. Similarly, when you are suffering from pangs of desire and
greed, all your contentment leaks away before you even have a chance to
fulfill your desires. When contentment leaves your heart, discontent
remains behind to take its place. Desire breeds more desire. A person
who does not have anything at all may feel very happy and contented when
he gets 100 rupees. But once he gets the 100 rupees, he thinks how nice
it would be if he could get 1000 rupees. If by chance he gets the 1000
rupees, he desires to have a million rupees. Then he would aspire to
become a major property owner. From a property owner he would want to
become a legislator and then a minister and then the prime minister.
Finally, he would want to use all his status and wealth to attain the
God-state. But you can never reach divinity with the help of power and
wealth. As the person's desires cross all limits, he becomes
discontented and his wealth gains him no inner peace at all. You must
learn how to gain contentment from whatever you have, being satisfied
with whatever wealth you have been given. Your responsibility is to take
care of the possessions you have received through the grace of God, and
be happy.
mukundan saibaba gita
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