Lobh is a Gurmukhi word which translates in English to greed. A strong desire for worldly possessions and a constant focus on possessing material items, especially the urge to possess what rightfully belongs to others. It makes an individual selfish and self-centred. It takes a person away from his religious and social duties. A person can become blind with greed if an effort to control the desire for unlimited worldly possessions.
An unstoppable desire to gain wealth, possessions, fame, or things; especially when there is no need for there items; the desire to own items purely because other own them; the desire to own material items that belong to others - are all examples of greed and Lobh. Sikhs do not believe that it is wrong to enjoy the good things in life, to be wealthy or to be admired by others. The Gurus taught that human beings should make the most of everything that God has given. However, if a person’s actions and thoughts are focused on possessing the material things in life he or she is no longer focused on God then they are moving further and further from liberation and Mukti.
The following Shabads from Gurbani clarify this cardinal vice:
| SGGS Page 27 Full Shabad
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Their intellect and understanding are perverted;
they just don't understand. They are filled with greed and corruption.
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| SGGS Page 61 Full Shabad
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| The world is deceived and plundered by riches, youth, greed and egotism.
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| SGGS Page 70 Full Shabad
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| When you are under the power of sexual desire, anger and worldly attachment, or a greedy miser in love with your wealth; if you have committed the four great sins and other mistakes; even if you are a murderous fiend ….. if you then come to remember the Supreme Lord God, and contemplate Him, even for a moment, you shall be saved. ((4))
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| SGGS Page 130 Full Shabad
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| Within is the terrible darkness of greed, and so they come and go in reincarnation, over and over again. ((7))
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| SGGS Page 147 Full Shabad
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| Cruelty, material attachment, greed and anger are the four rivers of fire. Falling into them, one is burned, O Nanak! One is saved only by holding tight to good deeds. ((2))
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| SGGS Page 154 Full Shabad
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| You practice greed, avarice and great falsehood, and you carry such a heavy burden. O body, I have seen you blowing away like dust on the earth. ((1))
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| SGGS Page 1062 Full Shabad
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| With greed within them, their minds are filthy, and they spread filth around. They do filthy deeds, and suffer in pain.
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| SGGS Page 1372 Full Shabad
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| Kabeer, where there is spiritual wisdom, there is righteousness and Dharma. Where there is falsehood, there is sin.Where there is greed, there is death. Where there is forgiveness, there is God Himself. ((155))
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