Buying things with the Lakshmi Principle

November 2, 1997

So to have something, it should have a value behind it: that is the dharma part. The value behind it: what is the value? When you want to buy something just don’t buy because you are mad: I mean instead of shirts you buy skirts; not that way. But anything that has an artistic value or some special value, then you should buy that….

What is the value of the thing? If you want to give something to others, then the feelings you have in your heart is the value, and that value is the real Lakshmi.

When you are, say, building a house, the plans you make, the things you do: what is the idea behind and what you are trying to express through that house is the value of that house. Once you understand that, you have to buy, with this Lakshmi, or you have to use this Lakshmi for certain value and not for showing off or for money. This superficialness that we have about money itself is like an ordinary glass. But if you put, behind the glass, the mercury, you can see the value.

So, when you start buying something, what is the purpose? Why are you buying? This will determine the value.