Is Money making evil and not aligned to spritual progress ? A Hindu Perspective on Wealth

Is Money making Evil and not aligned to spiritual progress? A Hindu Perspective on Wealth

In our daily lives, many people think that earning money is not in sync with spirituality, any person who is into this money making isnt doing spiritual progress. Money makes you greedy or takes you away from good things. But if we look at our ancient scriptures like the Vedas, Gita, and Upanishads, the perspective is quite different. They teach us that money is important, but what truly matters is how you earn it and how you use it. Let's explore this step-by-step in simple terms.

Artha: An Accepted Goal of Life

Hindu philosophy talks about four main goals for a human life, known as the Purusharthas. These are:

1. Dharma: Doing the right thing, fulfilling your duties.

2. Artha: Earning wealth and prosperity.

3. Kama: Fulfilling your desires in a righteous way.

4. Moksha: Achieving ultimate freedom or liberation.

Notice that Artha is listed as a valid goal. Our ancient sages were practical people. They knew that earning money is a necessary part of life. It is difficult to think about higher truths when you are worried about your next meal. The great philosopher Kautilya even wrote in his Arthashastra that poverty often leads to bad habits, while prosperity helps good qualities to grow. Think of a farmer in a village working hard to feed his family—that is his pursuit of Artha. Without money, how can he perform his Dharma of taking care of his parents or helping his community?

The Bhagavad Gita also acknowledges this connection. In Chapter 18, Verse 34, Lord Krishna speaks of the kind of determination that is in the mode of passion (rajasic):

यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन । प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ॥

yayā tu dharma-kāmārthān dhṛtyā dhārayate’rjuna | prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ||

Meaning: "And that determination by which one holds fast to duty (Dharma), pleasure (Kama), and wealth (Artha), desiring the fruits of action, is of the nature of passion, O Arjuna."

While this verse describes a state of attachment, the important thing to note is that Artha (wealth) is mentioned right alongside Dharma (duty). This shows that the pursuit of wealth to fulfill one's duties is an accepted and understood part of life.

We Worship Wealth as a Goddess

Far from seeing money as evil, Hindus worship Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. This shows that wealth is considered a divine blessing. Her image itself teaches us a lot. She sits on a beautiful lotus flower that grows in muddy water but remains pure and untouched. This is a symbol that we too can live in the material world and earn wealth without getting tainted by greed.

Her four arms represent the four Purusharthas, showing that true prosperity includes Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha all together. In the Rigveda, the famous Sri Sukta is a hymn dedicated to her, praying for abundance. One verse says:

हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम् । चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह ॥

hiraṇyavarṇāṃ hariṇīṃ suvarṇarajatasrajām | candrāṃ hiraṇmayīṃ lakṣmīṃ jātavedo ma āvaha ||

Meaning: "O Agni (Jataveda), please bring to me that Goddess Lakshmi who is of golden complexion, adorned with gold and silver garlands, and radiant like the moon."

We perform Lakshmi Puja during Diwali, inviting this divine energy of balanced prosperity into our homes, not something evil.

When Does Money Become a Problem?

So, when does money become a problem? The scriptures are very clear: money becomes a problem when it is disconnected from Dharma. Money is like fire. Fire can cook your food and keep you warm, or it can burn your house down. The fire itself isn't evil; its effect depends on how you use it.

When Artha is pursued without Dharma, it leads to Anartha—a disaster or a meaningless state. The Mahabharata is a great example. The Pandavas also wanted their kingdom and wealth (Artha), but they always followed the path of Dharma. The Kauravas, on the other hand, were driven by greed and tried to get wealth by cheating and violence. Their path, without Dharma, led to the great war and their complete destruction.

The Gautama Dharmasutra, an ancient text on law, advises that while one should pursue wealth and pleasure, one "should attend chiefly to righteousness." This means Dharma must always be the priority.

The True Purpose of Money: A Prayer from the Upanishads

The Taittiriya Upanishad contains a beautiful prayer, the Avahanti Homam, recited by a student ready to enter worldly life. It’s a prayer for wealth, and it reveals the perfect mindset one should have.

Step 1: Give Me Wisdom First

Before asking for a single coin, the student prays for wisdom and the tools to handle it, asking for a healthy body and a "sweet tongue" to speak kindly. He prays:

स मेन्द्रो मेधया स्पृणोतु ।

sa mendro medhayā spṛṇotu

Meaning: "May that Lord Indra bless me with Medha (intellect to discern right from wrong)."

This is the most important first step. It's like asking to become a worthy container before asking for something precious to be poured into it. Wealth given to someone who lacks wisdom can be a curse.

Step 2: Then, Grant Me Sustainable Wealth

Only after asking for wisdom does the student ask for wealth. The prayer is direct and specific, asking for the resources needed to live with dignity and perform one's duties. One of the verses says:

आव॑हन्ती॒ वित॑न्वा॒ना । कुर्वा॒णा चीर॑मा॒त्मन॑: । वासाꣳ॑सि॒ मम॒ गाव॑श्च ।

āvahantī vitanvānā | kurvāṇā cīramātmanaḥ | vāsāṃsi mama gāvaśca |

Meaning: "(Bring me wealth) that is ever-flowing, that multiplies, and that lasts long. Bring me clothes and cattle."

This unapologetic prayer for material necessities shows that it is perfectly acceptable to ask for the resources needed for a stable life.

Step 3: Why I Need Money – For Chitta Shuddhi (Purification of the Heart)

The prayer reveals the higher purpose of wealth: to do good deeds. The Bhagavad Gita (5.11) says that yogis perform actions with the body, mind, and senses, without attachment, for the "purification of the self." With money, one can perform yajna (rituals), dāna (charity), build temples, schools, or hospitals. These selfless acts reduce our ego and greed, and thus purify our heart. For example, a man who is always stressed about his business and feels greedy might start donating a small amount to feed the poor every week. At first, it might feel like a loss. But over time, seeing the happiness his contribution brings to others gives him a new kind of joy, a joy that is deeper than profit. This act of giving slowly cleanses his heart of constant greed and anxiety.

This is why just listening to spiritual talks is not enough. Imagine someone who listens to lectures on charity every day but never gives a single rupee. The knowledge stays in their head but doesn't change their selfish habits. It's like reading a book about how to swim without ever getting into the water. Action is what causes the transformation.

Step 4: Why I Need a Pure Heart – For Jnana (True Knowledge)

Why is a pure heart so important? Because only a pure and calm mind, like a clear lake without ripples, can reflect the truth of the Self. This ultimate wisdom, Jnana, is the final goal which leads to Moksha (liberation). This is not knowledge of school subjects, but the wisdom that keeps you happy always, like vairagya (detachment) and knowing your true Self. A pure heart is the necessary ground for the seeds of this wisdom to grow.

For instance, think of two people listening to a wise teacher explain the importance of forgiveness. The first person has a relatively pure heart and is not holding onto major grudges. The teaching enters their heart, and they feel a sense of peace. The knowledge changes their personality. The second person has a heart full of anger towards someone who wronged them. When they hear the same teaching, their mind immediately resists, thinking, "That's easy to say, but you don't know what they did to me!" The knowledge bounces off their impure mind like water off a greasy pan. Without a pure heart, the deepest knowledge doesn't make an impact.

The prayer even asks for fame, but with the right intention: "May I become famous among people" (yaśo jane'sāni svāhā). This is not a prayer for ego, but a desire for a good reputation so that the knowledge one has gained can be shared effectively with others. So, the sequence is: Money → Good Deeds → Pure Mind → Ultimate Knowledge → Liberation.

Step 5: Help Me Share This Knowledge

Finally, the prayer asks for students to come, not for ego, but to share this liberating knowledge with others. The journey starts with receiving and ends with giving.

The Final Verdict: Money is a Tool, Not the Goal

This prayer shows that money is not evil; it is a powerful tool to achieve the greatest, most unconditional happiness.

Sadly, many people get stuck. They develop an ego, thinking, "This money is mine, I can do anything." The story of the demon king Hiranyaksha is a perfect warning. His name means "Golden-Eyed," signifying someone obsessed with wealth. He saw the world only as an object to be owned. In his arrogance, he dragged the Earth into the cosmic ocean, believing it was his property. Lord Vishnu had to intervene to save the world.

Hinduism is unique in seeing wealth (Lakshmi) as a Goddess. The message is clear: earn money, but do it with Dharma. Use it for good, to purify yourself, and to aim for the highest goal of life. The money you earn can be a chain that binds you, or it can be a key that helps you unlock spiritual freedom. The choice is yours.