Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 21
The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa (Avanti-brāhmaṇa-gītā): Mind as the Root of Suffering and Equanimity Amid Insult
अर्थेनाल्पीयसा ह्येते संरब्धा दीप्तमन्यव: । त्यजन्त्याशु स्पृधो घ्नन्ति सहसोत्सृज्य सौहृदम् ॥ २१ ॥
arthenālpīyasā hy ete saṁrabdhā dīpta-manyavaḥ tyajanty āśu spṛdho ghnanti sahasotsṛjya sauhṛdam
Schon wegen eines kleinen Geldbetrags geraten diese Verwandten und Freunde in Aufruhr, ihr Zorn lodert auf. Als Rivalen geben sie rasch jede Gesinnung des Wohlwollens auf und verwerfen die Freundschaft im Nu—bis hin zum Mord.
FAQs
This verse says that even a small amount of material gain can inflame anger and rivalry, making people abandon friendship and even harm one another.
In the Uddhava-gītā, Kṛṣṇa teaches renunciation and clear discrimination by exposing how attachment to trivial material profit destroys goodwill and leads to conflict.
Treat money as a tool, not a master—avoid competitive envy, keep relationships above profit, and practice contentment to prevent anger and needless conflict.