The Wealth That Cannot Satisfy

Yajnavalkya, a revered sage, once decided to divide his possessions between his two wives before renouncing worldly life. His wife Maitreyi asked him directly, if she possessed the entire earth full of wealth, would it make her immortal? He said no, it would only bring the comforts wealth allows, not immortality. She replied that she had no use, then, for something that would not carry her beyond death, and asked instead to be taught what he knew of the imperishable Self.

Yajnavalkya was moved by her clarity, and explained that everything we love, wealth, relationships, even our own bodies, is dear to us not for its own sake, but because of the Self shining through it. Real fulfilment lies in knowing that Self, not merely accumulating its reflections.

We often chase wealth, relationships and achievements, assuming they will eventually deliver lasting peace, without pausing to ask whether they can.

Today, ask yourself honestly, of everything you are pursuing, what are you truly hoping it will give you, and whether it actually can.