Good deeds are very rare in those that amass riches. It is
said that wealth can never be acquired without injuring others, and that,
when earned, it brings numerous troubles. A person of narrow heart,
setting at naught the fear of repentance, commits acts of aggression
towards others, tempted by even a little wealth, unconscious all the
while of the sin of Brahmanicide that he incurs by his acts. Obtaining
wealth which is so difficult of acquisition, one burns with grief if one
has to give a portion of it to one's servants,--with grief, that is,
which is equal to what one would feet if one is actually robbed by
depredators. If, on the other hand, one does not part with one's wealth,
obloquy becomes one's share. One, however, that has no wealth, never
becomes the subject of censure. Withdrawn from all attachments, such a
person can become happy in all respects by supporting life upon what
little he may obtain as alms. No one, however, can be happy by the
acquisition of wealth. In this connection certain verses relating to
sacrifices are recited by persons conversant with ancient scriptures.
Wealth was created by the Creator for the sake of sacrifices, and man was
created by him for protecting that wealth and performing sacrifices. For
this, all wealth should be applied to sacrifices. It is not proper that
it should be spent for the gratification of desire of enjoyment. The
Creator then confers wealth upon mortals for the sake of sacrifices. Know
this, O son of Kunti, thou that art the foremost of all wealthy persons!
It is for this that the wise think that wealth, without doubt, is
nobody's on earth.
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