121 - Resources, Ownership & Claims ("Raja Vidya: The King of Knowledge" pages 86-91)

"Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is  controlled and owned by the Lord. One must therefore accept only those  things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one  must not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong." Consequently all living entities, beginning from Brahmā, the  highest demigod, down to the lowest ant, have the right to use natural  resources. Nārada Muni points out that we can use these resources as  much as we require, but if we take more than required, we become  thieves. Unfortunately everyone is trying to conquer and predominate.  Countries race to the moon in order to put up their flags and claim that  planet. When Europeans came to America, they put up their flag and  claimed it for their nation. This flag planting and flag waving is all  due to ignorance. We do not stop to think where we are putting our flag.  It is not our property, but God's. Knowing this is knowledge, and  thinking that it is my property is ignorance. We have the right to  utilize but not to claim or hoard. If we throw a bag of grain into the street, pigeons may come and  eat four or five small grains and then go away. They will not take more  than they can eat, and having eaten they go freely on their way. But if  we were to put many bags of flour on the sidewalk and invite people to  come and get them, one man would take ten or twenty bags and another  would take fifteen or thirty bags and so on. But those who do not have  the means to carry so much away will not be able to take more than a bag  or two. Thus the distribution will be uneven. This is called  advancement of civilization; we are even lacking in the knowledge which  the pigeons, dogs and cats have. Everything belongs to the Supreme Lord,  and we can accept whatever we need, but not more. That is knowledge. | Link to get  your own copy or  read: www.biglink.to/rajavidya | Find  us on social  media:  Facebook  "Sravanam Diaries" | Instagram &  Tumblr  @sravanamdiaries | Email:   [email protected]