Page 73 - Mystic Pathways through the Bible

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In the Hindi language, there is a proverb that was inspired by this story: “Do not be entangled by ninety-nine.” The moment you are caught by the illusion of needing a certain amount of money to be happy, you become entangled, like the blacksmith, in a joyless pursuit.
Parigraha, or covetousness, which implies hoarding more and more, is like that “entanglement with 99.” The Truth is that happiness is not acquired through the procurement of objects. Multiplying possessions beyond what is necessary does not make you secure. You are ignoring these great truths and adopting the illusion, “If I have more and more I will be happy.” Thus, greed is actually a movement in falsehood. So much mental energy is wasted over pursuing the objects of the world. By freeing the mind of this great burden though Yogic disciplines, one can enjoy the inner wealth of genuine peace and contentment.
The Effect of Covetousness on Society
From a social point of view, a person who develops covetousness disturbs the harmony and economic balance of society. Why should one person hoard so much more than he can use, when those things could have been utilized by others? It is unethical that many are deprived of the conveniences of life while others hoard far beyond any reasonable need. Such hoarding negates the fact that the same