Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 23
The Song of the Avantī Brāhmaṇa (Avanti-brāhmaṇa-gītā): Mind as the Root of Suffering and Equanimity Amid Insult
स्वर्गापवर्गयोर्द्वारं प्राप्य लोकमिमं पुमान् । द्रविणे कोऽनुषज्जेत मर्त्योऽनर्थस्य धामनि ॥ २३ ॥
svargāpavargayor dvāraṁ prāpya lokam imaṁ pumān draviṇe ko ’nuṣajjeta martyo ’narthasya dhāmani
既已得此人身——通往天界与解脱的门径——哪一个凡人还会甘愿执著于那无益之所、物质财产呢？
That which one intends to use for one’s personal sense gratification is called material property, whereas paraphernalia to be used in the Lord’s loving service is understood to be spiritual. One should give up all one’s material property by utilizing it completely in the devotional service of the Lord. A person who owns a luxurious mansion should install the Deity of the Lord and hold regular programs to propagate Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Similarly, wealth should be used to build temples of the Lord and publish literature scientifically explaining the Personality of Godhead. One who blindly renounces material property without utilizing it in the service of the Lord does not understand that everything belongs to the Personality of Godhead. Such blind renunciation is based on the material idea that “This property could belong to me, but I don’t want it.” Everything, in fact, belongs to God; knowing this one neither tries to enjoy nor to reject the things of this world, but peacefully engages them in the service of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse states that the human realm is the ‘door’ to both svarga (higher enjoyment) and apavarga (liberation), implying that human life is uniquely meant for conscious spiritual choice and pursuit of freedom.
Because wealth often becomes a ‘dhāma’ (abode) of anartha—unwanted consequences like pride, anxiety, exploitation, distraction from bhakti, and deeper entanglement in karma.
Use wealth as a tool rather than an identity: earn honestly, reduce greed-driven consumption, give in charity and service to Bhagavān and devotees, and keep life centered on sādhana and devotion rather than accumulation.