Pronunciation: [lˈɒb] (IPA) 
The word "lobh" is spelled with four letters and pronounced as /lɒb/. The IPA phonetic transcription shows the pronunciation of each sound in the word, with "l" being the consonant sound at the beginning, followed by the vowel sound "o" which is pronounced like "ah". The "b" sound is pronounced after the vowel, followed by a silent "h" at the end. "Lobh" is a Hindi word that means greed or avarice.
Lobh, also pronounced as "lobha" in some contexts, is a Sanskrit term that is commonly used in Indian philosophy, particularly in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is primarily translated as "greed" or "covetousness" in English, although its meaning encompasses more than just the desire for material wealth.
Lobh refers to an intense and uncontrollable craving for possessions, power, or sensory pleasures. It is considered one of the four negative mental states or vices known as the "Four Poisons" in Buddhism. The other three are hatred, delusion, and pride. Lobh is viewed as an obstacle to spiritual growth and is believed to lead individuals away from the path of righteousness and inner peace.
In Hinduism, lobh is considered one of the six enemies of the mind, collectively known as the "Arishadvargas." These enemies include desire, anger, greed, ignorance, pride, and jealousy. Lobh is seen as a hindrance to self-control and selflessness, preventing individuals from attaining enlightenment and higher consciousness.
The consequences of lobh are believed to be detrimental, not only on an individual level but also for society as a whole. It is considered a root cause of suffering and is associated with negative emotions such as envy, selfishness, and attachment. Overcoming lobh involves cultivating virtues like contentment, generosity, and detachment from material possessions.
In summary, lobh can be defined as an intense and insatiable desire for material possessions, power, or sensory pleasures that hinders spiritual growth and leads to negative emotions. It is seen as an obstacle to selflessness and contentment.
The word "lobh" is derived from Sanskrit, an ancient and classical language of India. In Sanskrit, "lobh" (लोभ) means greed or covetousness. It is derived from the root word "lubh" (लुभ्) which means to desire, crave, or be attached to. In Hindu philosophy, "lobh" is considered one of the six enemies of the mind, often mentioned alongside anger, delusion, desire, pride, and envy. Over time, the word "lobh" has been adopted into various languages such as Hindi, Bengali, and Punjabi, where it also retains its original meaning of greed.
