HOW MONEY DESTROYS THE OTHER FORMS OF ASHTA LAKSHMI
- Madhukar Dama
- 10 hours ago
- 8 min read
When people think of Lakshmi today, they mostly think of Dhana Lakshmi — money, cash, riches.
But in truth, Lakshmi is Ashta Lakshmi — eight kinds of wealth that together make life meaningful.
The tragedy of modern life is that chasing money blindly destroys the other seven Lakshmis, leaving people hollow even when their bank accounts are full.
Let us see, one by one, how this destruction happens.
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ADI LAKSHMI — THE WEALTH OF EXISTENCE
Adi Lakshmi is the simple joy of being alive — breathing, resting, living with wonder.
But when life becomes a mad chase for money, this fundamental wealth vanishes.
People can no longer sit quietly without feeling anxious.
They forget the beauty of a simple sky, a child's laughter, a slow meal.
Examples:
1. A small village boy, once happy chasing butterflies, now cries for a smartphone.
2. A middle-aged woman, who once sat peacefully in the courtyard with family, now scrolls mindlessly on Instagram to "keep up."
3. A farmer who once thanked the rain now curses it if it delays his loan payments.
4. A retired grandfather, who once enjoyed storytelling, now feels depressed because he is "unproductive."
5. A young couple, who once found joy in walking barefoot on mud paths, now feels incomplete without branded shoes.
Thus, the basic contentment of existence is destroyed by the constant hunger for more.
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DHANYA LAKSHMI — THE WEALTH OF FOOD
Dhanya Lakshmi gives nourishment — fresh grains, vegetables, fruits that strengthen the body.
But money corrupted food itself, turning it into a business of greed.
The soil is poisoned, meals are rushed, natural hunger is lost.
Examples:
1. Villagers who once grew their own ragi and vegetables now buy plastic-wrapped biscuits.
2. Home-cooked millet rotis are replaced by greasy burgers and instant noodles.
3. Traditional kitchen herbs like ajwain, tulsi, and neem are forgotten — replaced by expensive "health supplements."
4. Festivals that once meant sharing homemade sweets now mean ordering bakery cakes.
5. Children who once drank fresh buttermilk now gulp down Coca-Cola and "energy drinks."
The sacred connection between food and life is lost under piles of branded, packaged, profitable garbage.
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DHAIRYA LAKSHMI — THE WEALTH OF COURAGE
Dhairya Lakshmi is inner strength — the courage to face pain, uncertainty, and life itself.
But when money becomes the fallback for every problem, people lose real bravery.
They panic, they insure, they rush to fix discomfort instantly.
Examples:
1. A small fever that earlier healed with rest is now met with panic and heavy medication.
2. Families immediately sell land or gold at the first sign of financial difficulty, unwilling to endure hardship.
3. Students break down after small failures, because they are taught that success equals wealth, and failure equals shame.
4. Entrepreneurs who once built businesses with patience now abandon projects if profits are not immediate.
5. Marriages that once weathered storms collapse because people now seek "emotional returns" like financial investments.
The human spirit becomes fragile, dependent, and fearful when real courage is replaced with money cushions.
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GAJA LAKSHMI — THE WEALTH OF STRENGTH AND DIGNITY
Gaja Lakshmi represents physical vitality, societal dignity, and rooted stability.
But money distorts this into artificial status — where buying big cars and big houses replaces genuine strength.
Examples:
1. Traditional craftspeople who once lived with dignity are now mocked because they don't have corporate jobs.
2. Strong grandparents who once ruled joint families are now sent to old-age homes.
3. People who could once fix their homes, grow food, and handle problems are now helpless without service calls and apps.
4. Girls who once learned martial arts and farming are now taught to "look pretty" for marriage markets.
5. Men who once carried wisdom and community leadership are now "influencers" chasing likes and brand deals.
Thus, natural human dignity is traded away for shallow, shiny symbols bought with money.
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SANTANA LAKSHMI — THE WEALTH OF CHILDREN AND CONTINUITY
Santana Lakshmi is about lovingly raising strong, wise children who carry forward the richness of life.
But when parents become slaves to corporate jobs and consumerism, children are emotionally abandoned.
Examples:
1. Babies are fed formula milk while mothers attend Zoom calls to chase careers.
2. Toddlers are raised by maids, while parents work overtime for a second car loan.
3. Teenagers learn life values from YouTubers and Netflix, not from family meals or storytelling.
4. Emotional needs of children are outsourced to therapists because parents have "no time."
5. Families prioritize foreign vacations over spending quality Sundays together under a tree.
Thus, the future generation grows up rich in gadgets but poor in love, resilience, and roots.
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VIJAYA LAKSHMI — THE WEALTH OF TRUE VICTORY
Vijaya Lakshmi is the noble success earned through effort, honesty, and perseverance.
But money encourages shortcuts — cheating, lobbying, bribing — where true victory dies.
Examples:
1. Students cheat in exams because only "marks matter" for lucrative careers.
2. Professionals fake degrees and certificates for better jobs.
3. Politicians buy votes instead of winning people's trust.
4. Companies suppress competition not by improving products, but by legal manipulations and monopolies.
5. Individuals are praised for "winning" by any means — even if it means lying, cheating, and harming others.
Victory loses its sacred meaning when success is measured only by wealth.
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VIDYA LAKSHMI — THE WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM
Vidya Lakshmi nurtures true knowledge, humility, love for learning.
But education has become another market for money — degrees, certificates, coaching factories.
Examples:
1. A humble farmer's knowledge of weather, soil, and crops is mocked as "backward" unless he has a formal degree.
2. Children are forced into engineering or medicine not for learning, but for salary prospects.
3. Traditional arts, crafts, and skills vanish because they don't "pay enough."
4. Youngsters no longer read scriptures, poetry, or philosophy for self-growth, but only to crack entrance exams.
5. Libraries are empty, while coaching centers overflow with stressed, frightened students.
Thus, wisdom is killed and replaced by empty qualifications.
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DHANA LAKSHMI — THE MONEY ITSELF
Finally, Dhana Lakshmi — money — the one Lakshmi that modern society worships without understanding.
Ironically, even here, the obsession with endless money turns into a disease.
Examples:
1. Billionaires who work 18 hours a day even after having more wealth than they can spend.
2. Families that fall apart fighting over property disputes.
3. People who accumulate riches but die of depression, loneliness, and addictions.
4. Parents who ignore their health and die young while trying to build financial empires "for the children."
5. Celebrities who have everything material, but still end up in rehab centers and suicides.
Money, meant to be a tool, becomes a never-ending chain around the soul.
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FINAL REALIZATION
Money is not evil.
It is simply dangerous when it becomes the master instead of a servant.
True Lakshmi lives only where balance, contentment, ethics, and humility exist.
Otherwise, life becomes a glittering graveyard — rich in objects, poor in meaning.
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SUMMARY QUOTE
When you chase money at the cost of all else, you lose the seven sacred treasures that made life divine. Money comes. But Lakshmi leaves.
—
HEALING DIALOGUE
THE BROKEN MILLIONAIRE AND THE HERMIT
(Setting: Late evening. A cool breeze blows. Madhukar the Hermit sits outside his mud hut, weaving a grass mat.
A luxury SUV rolls up awkwardly near his home. A tired-looking man steps out. He wears expensive clothes, a Rolex watch, but his eyes are hollow.)
Man:
(voice trembling)
"Sir... I don't know what else to do.
I have money. Too much money.
But I feel... dead inside."
Madhukar:
(looks up slowly, smiling gently)
"Welcome, child. Sit.
You have brought a heavy burden.
Put it down for a while."
(The man sits on the mud floor, confused but willing.)
Man:
"I spent thirty years chasing money.
Built businesses, bought houses, traveled the world.
Now... I can't sleep without pills.
I can't talk to my son without a fight.
I can't eat without medicine.
I can't love without suspicion.
I can't trust anyone — not even myself."
(His voice breaks. Silence.)
Madhukar:
(weaving calmly)
"Why did you chase money, child?"
Man:
"Because everyone said that's life.
Without money, you're nothing.
I wanted to be respected.
Safe.
Successful."
Madhukar:
"And now that you have money... are you respected? Safe? Successful?"
Man:
(shaking head, tears forming)
"No.
I'm envied, feared... but not loved.
I am insured, not safe.
I am famous, but I am not victorious."
Madhukar:
(nods)
"You chased Dhana Lakshmi and lost the other seven sisters."
Man:
(broken voice)
"Seven sisters?"
Madhukar:
"Listen carefully.
You lost Adi Lakshmi — the joy of simply being alive.
You cannot sit still without a screen, a call, a deal.
You lost Dhanya Lakshmi — the wealth of pure food.
Your meals are transactions, not nourishment.
You lost Dhairya Lakshmi — the strength to endure.
You panic at the smallest uncertainty.
You lost Gaja Lakshmi — the dignity of simple strength.
You measure worth in brands, not in character.
You lost Santana Lakshmi — the blessing of family.
Your children fear you.
Your home is a cold museum.
You lost Vijaya Lakshmi — the joy of honest victory.
You won markets but lost yourself.
You lost Vidya Lakshmi — true knowledge.
You filled your head with strategies, but forgot the wisdom of living."
(The man sobs openly now. He has no words.)
Madhukar:
(voice deep, tender)
"Child...
Money was meant to serve you.
You became its servant."
(Silence. The fire crackles.)
Man:
(whispering)
"Is it too late?"
Madhukar:
(smiling warmly)
"It is never too late to return home.
The sisters are waiting for you."
Man:
"But... how?
Where do I even start?"
Madhukar:
(placing a hand on his shoulder)
"Start small.
One breath. One meal. One act of love.
Sit under the sun tomorrow, without agenda.
Eat a simple meal with your own hands.
Hug your child — not to teach, not to correct — just to hold.
Sleep without drugs — even if restlessness burns you.
Lose a deal intentionally, but keep your peace.
Learn something useless and beautiful — poetry, gardening, music.
Give money secretly, without anyone knowing, without getting credit.
Every such act is a lamp.
One by one, the sisters will find the path back to you."
(The man sits very still, his Rolex flashing in the firelight, meaningless.)
Man:
(softly)
"I am afraid."
Madhukar:
(whispering)
"Good.
Real life begins where false safety ends."
(They sit together, breathing with the earth, under the vast night sky.)
---
FINAL REFLECTION
You can have millions and still be bankrupt in life.
You can have little, and still be the richest being in the universe.
Ashta Lakshmi waits patiently for the one who remembers her true nature.
—
THE SEVEN SISTERS WHO LEFT
they told me
chase the green god
chase him faster
chase him harder
and so I did —
I broke my back
broke my heart
broke my word
broke my home
for shiny floors
and hollow handshakes.
I bought the food
and lost the hunger.
I bought the bed
and lost the sleep.
I bought the ring
and lost the love.
I bought the applause
and lost the music.
I turned around one night
money in both fists
and the seven sisters
who once danced barefoot around my soul
were gone.
Adi was gone —
she had left the day I started timing my smiles.
Dhanya was gone —
she ran when I swapped grain for garbage.
Dhairya was gone —
he left laughing when I insured my courage away.
Gaja packed her bags —
I traded strength for shiny suits.
Santana cried once —
then walked away when my son's eyes grew empty.
Vijaya ripped my medals off —
threw them in the gutter where they belonged.
Vidya —
sweet Vidya —
she left without a word
because I stopped asking why
and only asked how much.
and all that was left
was the eighth sister —
Dhana —
pale, sick, exhausted —
sitting in the corner counting zeros
while my soul howled
in an empty mansion.
tonight I crawl
to a broken mud hut
where a mad old hermit
weaves grass mats
and hands me a cup of silence.
I drink it.
I cry.
I am born again.
not rich.
but real.
—
