Gambling

by Swami Sivananda

Gambling is another dreadful curse. It is a great friend of Satan or anti-God. It is Maya’s great weapon. It has broken the hearts of many. It tantalises, tempts and deludes. A little gain in the first betting itches the nerves of the gamblers and forces them to bet a large sum. Eventually they lose everything and return home with black or weeping faces. Man becomes bankrupt by gambling. He weeps bitterly. Yet he will not leave it. Maya havocs through wrong habits, wrong thinking, wrong Samskaras and through bad company, gambling, cinema, drinking, smoking and meat-eating. The intellect becomes clouded and blunt. Reason and discrimination fail. The intellect becomes perverted. An enormous amount of money is wasted uselessly in gambling and drinking. No virtue will dwell in the heart of a man who gambles. Gambling is a net spread by Maya to entrap the bewildered souls. There is no evil greater than gambling. All vices cling to a gambler. No real gain will come to a gambler. He is always drowned in sorrow. He drags a cheerless life from day to day. Card-play and horse-racing are modifications of gambling only.

O man! It is very difficult to get a human birth. Life is meant for God-realisation. Perennial joy and eternal bliss are in God. Do not waste this precious life in drinking, gambling, smoking and meat-eating. What will you say to the God of Death at the time of your death? No one will help you. You will carry your own thoughts and actions. Give up gambling, meat-eating, drinking, cinema and smoking from this very second. Give me a definite promise now. I am your friend and well-wisher. Wake up now. Open your eyes. Become a virtuous man. Do good actions. Sing Hari’s Name. God’s Name is a potent antidote for all evil habits. Study religious books. Seek the company of sages and devotees. All evil habits will be eradicated. Serve. Love. Give. Purify. Concentrate. Meditate. Realise this very second. Time is the most precious thing in the world. Ignorant people waste their whole time in playing cards and in gambling. What a horrible state of affairs! Highly deplorable! How powerful is Avidya or ignorance! People are lamentably sunk in the mire of darkness! Pitiable specimens of humanity! Slayers of Atman! May Lord Krishnaswami, Antaryami, the Indweller of your heart, give you strength to overcome all these evil habits! May His blessing be upon you all!

Gambling – Understanding Risk, Addiction, and Responsible Choices

Gambling is an activity where a person places money or something valuable on an uncertain result, hoping to win more in return. It may involve cards, sports betting, lotteries, casinos, online games, or other chance-based activities. For some people, it begins as entertainment, but for others, it slowly becomes a serious problem. The main attraction is the excitement of risk, the hope of reward, and the feeling that one big win can change everything.

Gambling can appear harmless when done occasionally and with strict limits. Many people see it as a form of fun, just like watching a match or playing a game. However, the danger begins when a person starts depending on it for happiness, income, escape, or emotional relief. The mind becomes attached to the possibility of winning, even when losses are more common than gains.

The biggest issue with betting behavior is uncertainty. No matter how confident a person feels, the result is never fully in their control. Luck, chance, rules, odds, and external conditions decide the outcome. This uncertainty creates excitement, but it also creates emotional pressure. A person may win once and feel powerful, then lose many times while chasing the same feeling again.

The psychology behind Gambling is deeply connected with hope, fear, and reward. When someone wins, the brain remembers the pleasure. Even a small win can make the person believe that a bigger win is near. This creates a cycle where the person continues playing, not because it is wise, but because the mind keeps expecting a lucky moment. Losses are often ignored or justified with thoughts like, “Next time I will recover everything.”

This pattern can become addictive. A person may start spending more time and money than planned. They may hide losses, borrow money, lie to family, or feel restless when they are unable to play. Slowly, the activity moves from entertainment to compulsion. At this stage, self-control becomes weak, and the person may continue despite knowing the damage.

Gambling also affects relationships. Family members may feel betrayed when money is lost or hidden. Trust becomes weaker when promises are broken again and again. Arguments increase, financial stress grows, and emotional distance may develop. A habit that started as personal fun can become a burden for the whole household.

Financial harm is another major concern. People often think they can recover losses by playing more, but this usually increases the problem. Borrowing, debt, unpaid bills, and selling valuable items can follow. The desire to “win back” lost money is one of the most dangerous traps. It keeps the person locked in a cycle of hope and regret.

There is also a moral and emotional side to this issue. When a person becomes controlled by risky habits, peace of mind is disturbed. Anxiety, guilt, shame, anger, and depression may increase. The person may feel trapped between the desire to stop and the urge to continue. This inner conflict can become very painful.

Responsible Gambling means setting clear limits before starting and having the discipline to stop when those limits are reached. It means using only money that is not needed for food, rent, education, health, or family responsibilities. It also means never borrowing money for betting, never chasing losses, and never using this activity as a way to escape sadness, stress, or failure.

Awareness is the first step toward control. A person should honestly ask, “Am I doing this for fun, or am I depending on it?” “Can I stop whenever I want?” “Am I hiding this from others?” “Is this affecting my money, time, or relationships?” These questions can reveal whether the habit is becoming harmful.

If someone feels unable to stop, they should not feel ashamed to seek help. Talking to a trusted family member, counselor, support group, or mental health professional can make a big difference. Addiction is not solved by guilt alone. It needs honesty, guidance, support, and practical steps. Blocking betting apps, avoiding risky places, handing financial control to a trusted person, and replacing the habit with healthy activities can help recovery.

Gambling should never be seen as a reliable way to earn money. Real financial growth comes from skill, work, planning, patience, and discipline. Quick-money thinking often leads to poor decisions. A stable life is built through responsibility, not through depending on uncertain outcomes.

In the end, Gambling teaches an important lesson about desire, risk, and self-control. Entertainment becomes dangerous when it controls the mind. Hope becomes harmful when it ignores reality. A wise person understands the limits, protects their responsibilities, and values peace more than temporary excitement. True strength lies not in taking every risk, but in knowing when to stop.

Meat-Eating