Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16, Verse 13

English Translation

'This has been gained by me today; I shall acire this desired object. This is in hand; again, this wealth also will come to me.'

Detailed Commentary

।।16.13।। Commentary -- "This has been gained by me today; this desire I shall obtain." — Persons of *āsurī prakṛti* (demonic nature) remain engrossed in dreams, driven by greed. They think that through their hard work, intelligence, and cunning, they have acquired so much today, and will acquire even more in the future. So much wealth will come from business. Our elder son is so well-educated, so wealth and things will also come from his marriage. Wealth saved from tax evasion, and from the rent of land and houses will accrue — thus, as their greed increases, their dreams also expand. "This is mine, and this too will be mine again, this wealth." — As greed grows, so do their desires (*manoratha*). While walking, working, eating, drinking, and even performing *pūjā-pāṭh* (worship), they constantly ponder how to increase their wealth. They keep thinking about how many shops, mills, and factories they have opened, and how many more they can open. They keep thinking about how much land, cows, and buffaloes they possess, and how many more can be acquired. Regarding their body and family, they also have dreams about which medicines to take, which clothes and comfort items to acquire. Engrossed in such desires (*manoratha*), they forget what use all this will be in old age, and what will happen to them at the time of death. They wonder who will be the owner of their property, thinking that their son is unworthy (*kapūt*) and will destroy everything. Because of their greed, they have to fear their children and servants, lest they go on strike. Question -- A *sādhaka* (spiritual aspirant) possessing *daivī sampatti* (divine qualities) also sometimes has similar thoughts regarding business work. What is the difference between the thoughts of the two? Answer -- Although the tendencies (*vṛtti*) of both appear similar, there is a significant difference between them. The *sādhaka*'s aim is the attainment of *Paramātma* (the Supreme Self), therefore, he does not become engrossed in these activities. Those of *āsurī prakṛti* (demonic nature) have the objective of accumulating wealth and enjoying pleasures (*bhoga*), therefore, they remain absorbed in these alone. Due to the difference in their objectives, there is a great distinction between them.