Canakya-niti 14.7, commentary by Patita-pavana Dasa

d?ne tapasi ?aurye v?
vijñ?ne vinaye naye
vismayo na hi kartavyo
bahu-ratn? vasundhar?

We should not feel pride in our charity, austerity, valor, scriptural knowledge, modesty or morality for gems are found all over the earth.

Commentary: What is the need for pride when there will always be someone better at whatever we can do? No better example of this verse can be seen than Srila Prabhupada who, finding no jewels in his homeland, set out with the shovel of his faith and determination to mine the jewels of Western shores. There he turned coal into diamonds and polished them into gemstones. Regarding the preservation of moral and spiritual assets as mentioned in this verse, the devotee ceaselessly cultivates humility, knowing well that all can be lost in a moment of unthinking pride.