The root cause of envy is the false ego. We envy someone who we feel has more than us. It may be more wealth, more knowledge, more ability, more prestige; it may be a higher position. Envy is a very deep-seated disease.
There is the provocation of envy on a collective basis in the form of bigotry, sectarianism, fanaticism, etc. Envy and pride are very much inseparable. People say, “I am Hindu,” “I am a Christian,” “I am a Jew,” “I am a Zoroastrian” or “I am a Jain,” and “Because I am that, that is the greatest; if that is the greatest that makes me the greatest.” Everyone has their scriptural quotes to show that they are the way to truth and light and there is no other way except through them. Everyone has their logic, even in religious circles, to show they are the greatest, their religion is the greatest, and everyone else is subordinate or evil. Just look what this kind of thinking has done to the world!
Religion is supposed to create a sense of seeing every living being with equal vision. Religion is supposed to bring about a sense of compassion and love for everyone. If you don’t love everyone you cannot love God. But religion has created the opposite effect. It has created sectarianism, bigotry and hatred toward others.
The same is true with Nationalism. When I was in America I was conditioned to think that America is the greatest race in the world. But when I went to England, they think they are the greatest in the world. And in Holland they think they are the greatest people in the world. The same is true with Greece, Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran, and ultimately India. Every nation thinks that they are the greatest. They hold their flags high. So many flags waving high, each nation thinking that they are great and the result is so many wars – territorial wars, egoistic wars. To tolerate this sectarianism, this bigotry, is one of the greatest need of the world today. People hate each other because of their color. It is insane, inability to tolerate envy. See how it is critically creating pain and envy in the world today.
But envy cannot exist where there is even a trace of real love. Where there is love of God, we see every living being as part and parcel of God. Therefore, we feel happy at another person’s success and we feel sad to see another person suffer. To tolerate envy is very difficult, but through purification of the heart it becomes natural.
–Radhanath Swami
Comments
38 responses to “Envy – destroyer of the world”
Envy causes the burning of the heart, such a pain that we can eradicate by connecting with God.
This is most inspiring article by HH Radhanath Swami. To see every one as part and parcel of God and love them as oneself through the distribution of love of God will cut the envy of heart and create universal peace.
Radhanath Swami always tells that a devotee of the Lord is one who is ‘para dukha dukhi’ – i.e. sad seeing other’s suffering & happy at other’s sucess & happiness.
Swamiji has so beautifully explained how in the name of religion people fight against each other because of envy….
wonderful, thank you for sharing
Envy is something that we all suffer unless we are sane enough to give it up.
A very nice discourse by Radhanath Swami which explains the root cause of envy & its fallout.
By envying god we came down to this miserable place and we continue here….only solution is purification of heart through the service to the Lord and his devotees. Thank you Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
Very well said. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this beuatiful explanation of how envy is the root cause of all our problems.
Krishna says in Bhagvad- Gita that you all living entity are my part and parcel and you all are eternal.But in this material world you are suffering from six senses that includes mind.This is the proof that we all belongs to the God,Krishna.Therefore loving each other through scriptural teaching is the solution and not the envy that going to help all of us.
Rooy cause of our existence in material world
Once I heard from one the Lectures of Radhanath Swami that sometimes we are proud of our country because we are born in that country that is ego which produces envy towards other countries and that is threat to world peace.
Its all in the Holyname- every situation is an appropriate opportunity to celebrate the glory and mercy of God.
Amazing & inspiring article
Envy can be wiped out by developing love for God.
Envy is a very deep seated disease…..most unwanted…..and the only solution as suggested here is developing love of God……….Thank you Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
I find in this article a simple and comprehensive coverage of the nature and source of envy, the dangers of envy and the correct anti-dote – love in the heart.
I really found this site very useful!!!
sometimes our envy destroys ourselves. serve God to keep yourself away from envy. Thank you maharaj.
Killer of satisfaction & happiness–Envy is a very deep seated disease.
As mentioned by you here and in other place the nature of the envy is – one is distressed to see other happy, excelling. We are pained to see others happy. Krishna is pained to see us that way. We can not make progress by giving pain to Krishna ( although He is atmaram in His own abode….still He is ever present in His paramatam feature with all of us.) Thank you Radhanath Swami Maharaj for such deep analysis and enlightenment on the deep routed disease like envy.
We envy someone who we feel has more than us, it may be more wealth, more knowledge, more ability, more prestige, it may be a higher position.
Envy is the origin of all clashes…
We must understand I get what I deserve and not what I desire…
Somebody’s gain is not my loss and somebody’s loss is not my gain…..
The things will be much simpler…
HHh Radhanath Swami Maharaj Ki Jay…
Maharaj, please bless us to develope this understanding….
HH Radhanath Swami once said,
“A devotee is willing to do everything good for the welfare of others, but never wants to take credit for him or herself. Rather, a devotee wants to give credit to others – to God and to all those who have helped her or him. In other words, a quality of one who is close to God is humility – like the salt”
How true…
If we imbibe this learning there will be no place for envy..
HH Radhanath Swami Ki Jay
Envy can be wiped out of our hearts only by love toward the Lord and His devotees. Thank you very much Radhanath Swami for this article.
To tolerate envy is very difficult, but through purification of the heart it becomes natural. So we have to purify our hearts by chanting the holy names of the Lord.
So true.. envy is really root cause of all the problems.
Nice point -envy and pride are inseparable. Example that we say I am Hindu and so Hinduism is great is very striking, this is the way generally we think and disrespect other religions.
Envy is so subtle that it erupts with no reason towards anyone.This article was really helpful in making solution to this great problem
Where there is envy, there is no love. All glories to HH Radhanatha Svami Maharaja.
Thank you very much Maharaj..
An envious person is compared to a poisonous snake.
Such a person’s mentality can be cured by the association of a pure devotee of the Lord.
Thank you Swamiji.
Amazing article . Thank you so much HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj Ji.
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful article .
Thank you for such a wonderful article
Amazing article by HH Radhanath Swami maharaj.
Its an very concentrated article!!! Essence for happy life!!!