As you surely know the branded items charge much more money simply because of the label, far greater than the actual manufacturing cost. This money is largely pickpocketted by the top few while very little goes to those who have actually done the labour. The first result is a growing disparity between the owner and the workers which leads to an imbalance in the society. Secondly a lot of money goes into advertisement and showroom displays which has little to do with the actual quality. A good quality stuff should sell by its own merit. Finally, and most importantly, many persons who buy branded stuff do not buy for the quality or comfort which it provides as much as for a show and a statement of who they are. It is a kind of language that “look i am a wealthy guy” and hence impressive and smart and intelligent etc. In reality the man or a woman wearing the branded item may be quite stupid and incapable of depth.
In fact the more one lives on the surfaces of life, the less capable one becomes of engaging with one’s own depths. The more one lives for branded dresses and cars, the more one is caught in the trap of money and vain labour centered around seeking pleasure. Slowly, identified too much with the outer, one loses contact with the inner self which is what ultimately these forces of falsehood want.
I am not saying that this happens to everyone norr am i suggesting that one should chose poverty and live in a Spartan way or become an ascetic. One can lead a simple healthy happy life turned towards higher things. But the vital world governed by falsehood does not want that. It has created a huge net of desires, pleasures, money and men caught in its net spin endlessly in a web of darkness mistaking its artificial lights for the sun. Branded items is only one example. It is a sign of times wherein external objects and outer appearances are given much greater importance that the inner truth and this is the real danger, not just the dress but the motives, the attitudes it almost automatically encourages in man.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
