“I’m not taking the piss, but you Hindus pray to everything… even money!” so said a certain acquaintance of mine, at university once.

He was browsing through a leaflet about Diwali, that was being distributed at a Diwali party which he came along to (many non-Hindus come to such events). He made his comment in reference to the ritual of washing coins in milk and sugar, which takes place on the first day of Diwali (Dhanteras), as a devotion to the Goddess Lakshmi.

To some extent, what the guy said is true. Hindus may worship almost anything and this may include performing ritual worship to inanimate objects like books, coins, computers or weapons. While this may appear as a superstition to those who do not understand Hinduism, there is an important and universal meaning behind it, which is rooted in a sophisticated and unique philosophy.

To worship something in the Hindu sense is to recognize the Divine presence within it and to seek its grace. We need the grace, favor, communication and understanding of all that we are connected with in life, and nothing is really without consciousness or apart from the Divine. Hindu ritual-worship (puja) is both an art and science for enabling us to achieve a vision whereby one can understand that there is nothing in which the Divine does not have a presence. We need to honor the Divine in everything, particularly in the most simple and intimate things of our lives. While it may be difficult to understand for us today, it should not be devalued.

Obviously, wealth is something which is important in most of our lives. This doesn’t only mean money and possessions, but also health, family and a variety of other things. Lakshmi is the principle of abundance and well being. In Hinduism wealth that is used for ones self is termed as dhan. Wealth used for others is called lakshmi. Wealth dedicated to God is called mahalakshmi, while wealth used for harmful purposes is called alakshmi.

We should always aim to be wise in our use of wealth, predominantly using it for others and for divine work, once our basic needs are met. This is to manifest a form of divinity in our lives. To honour the principle of Lakshmi, pray for its grace, and also to pray that we may respect and use it wisely is the spirit behind Lakshmi puja, manifested by such rituals as washing of coins in milk.