TEXT 17
yaya hi vidvan api muhyate yatas
tat ko vicaste gatim atmano yatha
tasmai namas te jagad-isvaraya vai
narayanayakhila-loka-saksine
SYNONYMS
yayaby which material opulence; hiindeed; vidvan apieven a person fortunately advanced in education; muhyatebecomes bewildered; yatahself-controlled; tatthat; kahwho; vicastecan search for; gatimthe progress; atmanahof the self; yathaproperly; tasmaiunto Him; namahI offer my respectful obeisances; teunto You; jagat-isvarayaunto the Lord of the universe; vaiindeed; narayanayaunto His Lordship Narayana; akhila-loka-saksinewho are the witness of all creation.
TRANSLATION
Material opulence is so bewildering that it makes even a learned, self-controlled man forget to search for the goal of self-realization. But the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, the Lord of the universe, can see everything by His will. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.
PURPORT
The words ko vicaste gatim atmano yatha indicate that when one is puffed up by the false prestige of possessing material opulence, he certainly neglects the goal of self-realization. This is the position of the modern world. Because of so-called scientific improvements in material opulence, people have entirely given up the path of self-realization. Practically no one is interested in God, ones relationship with God or how one should act. Modern men have altogether forgotten such questions because they are mad for material possessions. If this kind of civilization continues, the time will soon come when the Supreme Personality of Godhead will take away all the material opulences. Then people will come to their senses.

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