Verse (Roman transliteration)
Moodha Jahihi Dhanagamatrishnam,
Kuru Sadbuddhim Manasi Vitrishnam
Yallabhase Nijakarmopaattam,
Vittam Tena Vinodaya Chittam
Translation
O fool, give up the thirst for accumulating wealth. Cultivate wisdom in your mind and be contented. Be happy with what you earn through your own righteous effort.
The teaching
Shankara identifies the root of human suffering: the endless hunger for more money. The mind in the grip of greed is never satisfied. A thousand becomes ten thousand becomes a crore, yet the feeling of "enough" never arrives. True wisdom is knowing when you have sufficient — and finding contentment in what is honestly earned.
Living this today
Illustrative example: When a pay rise arrives, pause before increasing every expense. Write down what it makes possible: a useful purchase, some breathing room, or time for someone else. Decide what enough means before comparison decides for you.