Everyone goes about trying to see what he can get from society. Today, thanks to the influence of the Kali age, two kinds of diseases have grown : One is the insatiable thirst for wealth. In every city, there is a mad rush for making money. No doubt money is necessary, but only up to a limit to meet one's needs. Owing to excessive desire, people lose all sense of proportion. Men turn into demons in the pursuit of wealth.
It may be asked whether at least they make good use of their immense wealth. No. Ultimately, the money may fall in the hands of robbers or others. What you get from society, give it back to society. That is the primary value to be cherished by every one.
The second malady is the thirst for power. The thirst for power and position is unquenchable. Afflicted with these two maladies, man is converting the whole world into a madhouse.
The desire for wealth and power is not wrong as such. But wealth and power should be used for right ends. Whatever position you occupy, see that it is used worthily. A cobbler stitching shoes is pursuing as worthy an occupation as a Prime Minister governing the country. Therefore, everyone has to do his duty properly. There is no high or low in these matters. To each person, his occupation is a matter of pride. Hence, do your duty sincerely. Everyone should be filled with this feeling. He should see that he does his job well without any lapse or defect. When everyone does his duty in this spirit, the well-being of the whole world will be automatically ensured.
People proclaim that they desire the well-being of one and all in the world, but they do nothing to promote it. They are concerned only about their own well-being.
(Sanathana Sarathi, May 1997, pg 122)
