This world is not only full of miseries but envy also. We are plagued by envy like a poisonous snake hissing its venom. Such envious thoughts and deeds will eventually consume our well-being and bring our own downfall.
What should our actions be when we see someone more qualified than ourselves. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 4, Chapter 8, verse 34 it is stated:
gunadhikan mudam lipsed
anukrosam gunadhamat
maitrim samanad anvicchen
na tapair abhibhuyate
"Every man should act like this: when he sees a person more qualified than himself, he should be very pleased; when he meets someone less qualified than himself, he should be compassionate toward him; and when he meets someone equal to himself, he should make friendship with him. In this way one is never affected by the threefold miseries of this material world."
Unfortunately, when we meet someone who is more qualified, we become envious of him. When we find someone who is less qualified, we deride him. And when we find someone equal, we become proud of our activities.
These are the causes for our material miseries. And it will drive us further and further into the darkest dungeons of envy. By constantly and sincerely serving a bona fide spiritual master is the only way to rid ourselves the ghost of envy.
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