BHAGVAT MATERIAL OPULENCE IS SO BEWILDERING THAT IT MAKES EVEN A LEARNED, SELF-CONTROLLED MAN FORGET TO SEARCH FOR THE GOAL OF SELF-REALIZATION  26TH JULY

Extract from Srimad Bhagvatam

TRANSLATION

MATERIAL OPULENCE IS SO BEWILDERING THAT IT MAKES EVEN A LEARNED, SELF-CONTROLLED MAN FORGET TO SEARCH FOR THE GOAL OF SELF-REALIZATION. BUT THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, NARAYANA, THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE, CAN SEE EVERYTHING BY HIS WILL. THEREFORE I OFFER MY RESPECTFUL OBEISANCES UNTO HIM.

PURPORT

THE WORDS ko vicashthe gatim atmano yatha INDICATE THAT WHEN ONE IS PUFFED UP BY THE FALSE PRESTIGE OF POSSESSING MATERIAL OPULENCE, HE CERTAINLY NEGLECTS THE GOAL OF SELF-REALIZATION. THIS IS THE POSITION OF THE MODERN WORLD. BECAUSE OF SO-CALLED SCIENTIFIC IMPROVEMENTS IN MATERIAL OPULENCE, PEOPLE HAVE ENTIRELY GIVEN UP THE PATH OF SELF-REALIZATION. 

PRACTICALLY NO ONE IS INTERESTED IN GOD, ONE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD OR HOW ONE SHOULD ACT. MODERN MEN HAVE ALTOGETHER FORGOTTEN SUCH QUESTIONS BECAUSE THEY ARE MAD FOR MATERIAL POSSESSIONS. IF THIS KIND OF CIVILIZATION CONTINUES, THE TIME WILL SOON COME WHEN THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD WILL TAKE AWAY ALL THE MATERIAL OPULENCES. THEN PEOPLE WILL COME TO THEIR SENSES.