People often value materialistic things in their life. From owning expensive jewels, to cars to house. Material possessions can be seen as status symbols, allowing individuals to signal their social standing and fit in with certain groups. Some people equate their self-worth and identity with what they own, believing that acquiring certain items will make them feel more successful or valuable.
But our sanskrit had some opposite thoughts. They have this to say :
पृथिव्यां त्रीणि रत्नानि जलमन्नं सुभाषितम्.
मूढैः पाषाणखण्डेषु रत्नसंज्ञा प्रदीयते.
Pruthivyaam treeni ratnaani jalamannam subhashitam.
moodhaih paashaankhandeshu ratnasangyaa pradeeyate.
Pruthivyaam = the World, Earth.
Treeni = three.
Ratnaani = Jewels, precious stones, any thing or anyone highly valued.
Jal = water.
Annam = food, material used as food. what one feeds on.
Subhashitam = Noble thoughts and commandments given by pious and righteous persons recorded in writing for the benefit of humanity.
Su = noble.
Bhashita = spoken words
Moodhaih = foolish persons.
Pashaan = Stone .
Khandeshu = pieces. (Jewels and gems are known as precious stones, as the are basically stones but are very beautiful and rarely found in this Earth and hence considered precious.)
In this World there are three real jewels (anything or anyone highly valued), namely water, food and noble and pious thoughts. Those persons who consider only rare and beautiful coloured stones as jewels are fools.
The above verses gives more importance to water, food and noble thoughts. In pursuit to earn more and more and living a luxurious life, people are missing out on these three jewels in life. One can not live without water and food as also proper human behaviour and the gems and jewels are mere stones and of no use if we do not have food, water and do not maintain proper behaviour towards others.
@queenart