2. Goddess as Wealth: Lakshmi and the Duality of Prosperity

Lakshmi symbolizes material and spiritual wealth, highlighting the balance between abundance and detachment.

Her mythology contrasts two types of wealth—Sattvic (earned ethically) and Tamasik (acquired through greed).

In a patriarchal society, Lakshmi is often seen as submissive, but older traditions portray her as independent and powerful.

The book discusses how economic prosperity and morality were linked to the goddess in different time periods.