Anne Atkins

Good morning. The World Bank recently reported that India pulled nearly 500 million people out of poverty between 2011 and 2023. Lauded as a ‘remarkable achievement’, it is interesting to note that the same report mentions a growth in inequality. With Diwali fast approaching, many Hindus around the world will be celebrating by offering worship to the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. When we hear the word ‘wealth’, for most of us, what comes to mind is the monetary kind. In Hinduism, material wealth is recognised as a necessity, but not a guarantee. It is neither to be shunned nor hoarded. It is a means to security, enjoyment, and the performance of one’s duty, and therefore is sought by all people in all walks of life. As we see in the world, when wealth is limited, there is naturally an unequal distribution. This is between different sections of society; and between different regions of the world. We may not think it is right or fair, but that is the reality of the world that we live in. At the time of Diwali Lakshmi is worshipped as the bestower of monetary wealth. However, Lakshmi has seven other aspects, all representing different types of wealth. There is the wealth of spiritual knowledge; the wealth of food and nourishment; of power and authority; of progeny: future generations and their innovation; of courage, resilience, and patience; of learning and education; of success and empowerment. According to this understanding, each of us has at least one form of wealth, even if we are currently unaware of it. According to Vedanta, the non-dual philosophy of Hinduism, the problem of human existence that we face is not a lack of any one particular thing, but an ignorance of what we already possess. Recognising all these as a form of wealth, we all have an opportunity to recognise different types of prosperity in our lives. But the problem of inequality remains. How can we balance personal acquisition with even distribution of wealth? One answer is to recognise not only the different forms of wealth that we possess but also to understand the principle of karma: whatever we give comes back to us. By producing more than what we consume and giving more than what we take, we work towards a society not only of prosperity, but of equity also.

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