Religious philosophers agree that four elements contribute to a successful human life—two worldly and two spiritual. Wealth and passion belong to the worldly realm, while religion and salvation belong to the spiritual realm.
Earning wealth is not the same as practicing religion, and practicing religion does not produce wealth. Sex enables procreation, and wealth provides nourishment. The human mind is drawn to wealth because it is influenced by sexual attraction. As wealth increases, sexual desire tends to increase as well. Generally, wealthy people become more prone to indulgence. Wealth and sexual desire often rise together. Similarly, religion and salvation are also interconnected. As piety grows, the path to salvation becomes clearer.
Piety weakens the chains of unnecessary wealth. When greed for wealth diminishes, sexual desire also decreases. In this state, a person moves toward true spiritual liberation—salvation.
Sexual desire binds the physical body. When sexual desire becomes excessive or is improperly controlled, it gives rise to anger. Anger leads to physical and mental deterioration. Gurbani explains:
ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਕਾਇਆ ਕਉ ਗਾਲੈ ॥
Unfulfilled sexual desire and unresolved anger waste the body away,
ਜਿਉ ਕੰਚਨ ਸੋਹਾਗਾ ਢਾਲੈ ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੯੩੨)
Just as gold is melted and worn away by borax.
A person overwhelmed by lust becomes prone to extreme anger. But when piety grows and brings sexual desire under control, one experiences the bliss of true inner freedom.
by Giani Sant Singh Ji Maskeen
