Shloka 3.43.33
मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)
अर्थी येनार्थकृत्येन संव्रजत्यविचारयन्।तमर्थमर्थशास्त्रज्ञाः प्राहुरर्थ्याश्च लक्ष्मण।।।।
tatsāram akhilaṃ nṝṇāṃ dhanaṃ nicayavardhanam |
manasā cintitaṃ sarvaṃ yathā śukrasya lakṣmaṇa || 3.43.32 ||
O Lakṣmaṇa, this is, in essence, the whole of men’s wealth—what increases one’s stores; all of it is first conceived in the mind, as prosperity is conceived in connection with Śukra.
A materialist moves about thoughtlessly for making money. Economists call it material wealth.
Ethical life begins in the mind: intentions shape outcomes. Dharma requires truthful intention (satya-saṅkalpa) before action, especially in matters of wealth and power.
Rāma philosophically frames wealth as something mentally conceived and accumulated, continuing his reflection on artha in the forest setting.
Reflectiveness about motive—placing mental intention at the center of responsible conduct.