Text 21] A Description of Jambidvipa 109
sunshine, produces huge quantities of gold called Jambia-nada.
The denizens of heaven use this gold for various kinds of orna-
ments. Therefore all the inhabitants of the heavenly planets and
their youthful wives are fully decorated with golden helmets,
bangles and belts, and thus they enjoy life.
PURPORT

By the arrangement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the rivers
on some planets produce gold on their banks. The poor inhabitants of
this earth, because of their incomplete knowledge, are captivated by a so-
called bhagavan who can produce a small quantity of gold. However, it is
understood that in a higher planetary system in this material world, the
mud on the banks of the Jamba-nadi mixes with jambiui juice, reacts with
the sunshine in the air, and automatically produces huge quantities of
gold. Thus the men and women are decorated there by various golden or-
naments, and they look very nice. Unfortunately, on earth there is such a
scarcity of gold that the governments of the world try to keep it in
reserve and issue paper currency. Because that currency is not backed
up by gold, the paper they distribute as money is worthless. but
nevertheless the people on earth are very proud of material advance-
ment. In modern times, girls and ladies have ornaments made of plastic
instead of gold, and plastic utensils are used instead of golden ones, yet
people are very proud of their material wealth. Therefore the people of
this age are described as mandah sumanda-matayo manda-bhagya hy
upadrutah (Bhag. 1.1.10). In other words, they are extremely bad and
slow to understand the opulence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
They have been described as sumanda-matayah because their concep-
tions are so crippled that they accept a bluffer who produces a little gold
to be God. Because they have no gold in their possession, they are ac-
tually poverty-stricken, and therefore they are considered unfortunate.

Sometimes these unfortunate people want to be promoted to the
heavenly planets to achieve fortunate positions, as described in this
verse, but pure devotees of the Lord are not at all interested in such
opulence. Indeed, devotees sometimes compare the color of gold to that of
bright golden stool. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has instructed devotees not
to be allured by golden ornaments and beautifully decorated women. Na
dhanam na janam na sundarim: a devotee should not be allured by gold.
