Money & Culture (Edited using AI)

 धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः

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Within the Indian ethos, money called as धनम् (dhanam), has been revered as the goddess Maha Lakshmi. A daughter is revered as, the incarnate of the Devi herself.

A while back, I wrote a post titled, Sreshta Janakah, — the ideal father. https://medium.com/@thelightwithinme/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%83-%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83-a147b4f9dbb0

What makes King Janaka worthy of Sita, who is but the incarnate of Maha Lakshmi herself? It is his unwavering alignment with Dharma and Atma-Jnana — inner wisdom. A father walking the path of truth and righteousness becomes a vessel worthy of divine grace.

Freedom from the Money Culture — Lynne Twist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQviPghhtus&t=524s

In this vein, I was listening to the speech of Lynne Twist, “Freedom from the Money Culture”. She describes her two fund raising experiences,

• First: A $50,000 check from a guilty CEO of a food company involved in scandal. Though large, the donation felt hollow, tainted with shame and lacking true intention.
• Second: A heartfelt collection of $637.33 from a church basement in Harlem, led by an elderly woman named Gertrude, who said:
  “Money is like water… a currency, a current… it’s our job to pass it on to do the most good.”
• The sincerity and love behind this gift moved Lynne deeply — it felt far more powerful and meaningful than the corporate cheque.

Western vs Eastern Philosphical approach to Money

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I was incidentally, reminded very contrarily to the opening scene in — the film, The Big Short. While, I found the film educational, the opening scene, lines hurt me deep. This view was jarringly evident in the opening scene that painfully exposed the cynical underbelly of money culture among Wall Street elites.

In popular western culture, money is just another commodity, absolutely transactional. Whereas, within, Eastern philosophilies, Money is Maha Lakshmi, revered, respected and deeply honored. It has a life, and energy of its own. You respect and honour her, she will stay with you. If you misuse her, she turns into fire. This is not mere metaphor — it is energy law, spiritual truth. Ravana’s empire was rich, yet when rooted in Adharma, it crumbled to ash.

Moana, Te Fiti, and the Feminine Principle

Moana, the disney animation picture, starts with, a tone, where the coconuts are stale, the island in struck by a sort, in-auspiciouness. All until, the protagonist, Moana restores the heart of the Island Goddess Te Fiti.

The island goddess, is portrayed as rageful, blowing with volcanic ash and where her heart is restored, akin to the Manipura chakra (green in color) — she is a back to a prosperous green island, bringing prosperity back to her nearby islands.

Prosperity is not a function of force or greed — it is a function of wholeness and restoration.

Honor of a Woman & Sacred Feminine

This reverence extends to the feminine principle itself. Kanyadan — the giving away of a daughter in marriage — has been criticized by modern feminists as patriarchal. Yet, in its original spirit, it is an act of entrusting a sacred being, not transferring property. A daughter is not an object; she is the goddess incarnate. Protecting her dignity is not subjugation — it is Seva. Of course, the feminine today must — and is — awakening her solar archetype too: not just to be revered, but to lead, create, and protect in her own right.

I’m reminded of the poignant Tamil film Mahanadi, where the hero, having lost his wealth in an investment scam, is faced with the harrowing reality of his daughter’s near fall into prostitution, only to be saved by her father ultimately. It’s a heartbreaking moment that underlines a deeper truth: when money is not rooted in dharma, it doesn’t just vanish — it corrodes everything it touches.

We must return to a sacred relationship with wealth. Not fear it, not chase it blindly, but honor it. Let it flow, where it does the most good. Like water, it nourishes when pure — and drowns when hoarded or corrupted. Money is not just a commodity, it is current, it has a life, of its own. If you are in the path of Dharma, she will stay. If you are in the path of adharma — she will burn what lies in her way, like how Ravana’s prosperity was burnt to ashes.

May we all walk the path where Maha Lakshmi feels at home. In truth. In dharma. In reverence.

Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha!