Progress in this World

Meaning: According to the Athervaveda 12/1/1 - "Those persons progress in this world who love God and learned people. Who are moral in their deeds, knowledgeable and in control of their senses? This has happened so far and will also happen in future.
Message: Who progresses? People consider that earning a lot of money, collecting a lot of wealth, having a bungalow, motor, car and other means of comfort is progress. There is a cut-throat race for earning money immorally.
Progress is possible when man and the nation are successful together. It is necessary that men perform austerities for the progress of the nation to make it powerful and glorious. Austerity is the name for the ability to march forward while patiently bearing with the diffuculties f or achieving an excellent objective. There is the episode of a "yaksha" (a type of diety) asking prince. Yudhishthir the characteristics of tapa and he had replied " tapaha swakarmavartitvum" i.e. to carry our one's duty with dedication is tapa and this is possible only with "jitendriyata" (control over the senses). Progress or uplift cannot even be thought of in the absence of control over the senses (or the abnegation of the gratification of the senses). In search of peace and happiness man will be, as if wandering in a mirage until the sentiment for national uplift is strengthened by conquering the feeling of 'me and mine' (which leads to nepotism), attachment, greed, selfishness and which creates an atmosphere of grab and loot through corruption everywhere.
For uplift or progress it is very necessary to know the great truth and be initiated into it. It is an indelible truth that the entire universe has been created by God. He is present in each and every particle of that universe and is providing it with dynamism since millions of years. We too are a part of God, who keeps an account of our deeds with total integrity and impartiality and His just authority decides our "karmaphal" (i.e. the punishment as well as rewards). This knowledge inspires us to practice restraint and thereby excellence entire our conduct.
The benefit of abnegation of senses (i.e. negation of gratification of desires) and moral truthful conduct is that man gives up his own petty selfishness and thus patriotism is roused in the countrymen. All citizens start cooperating for the removal of others' hardships by considering them as their own and become powerful allies for each other's progress. The feeling of friendliness becomes stronger and stirs up the life-force of the nation. The citizens become clever, bright and successful. Even the powerful nations of the world bow down in homage to such progress.
What is the importance of the seed? It has no value when it is in a sack with other seeds in a corner of the house. When it is sowed in a field, then in a few years it grows into a vast tree. For such a transformation, it has first to dissolve itself underground and has to get the cooperation of water and manure. The combination of self-denial and friendly cooperation of the society acts as a golden step for progress. If someone thinks that he can do everything by himself, then it is his deluded thinking. Man can go ahead on the road of progress only by the cooperation of others along with personal austerity and the hardship of spiritual-endeavor.
This actually is God's instruction to his dear sons. For that purpose he has created the body with all the qualities and He has decorated him with His powers. HE is always available for them, but the condition is that man should be engaged in diligence with selflessness. The main goal of a life is to place one's total capacity and talents for public welfare work with full faith in God's Authority.