Many ways of Giving.....................................

Many Ways Of Giving.........................

There are so many ways of giving. Arising before the Sun comes up, greeting and giving namaskara to the Sun is a part of hindu culture. Giving is built into all aspects of Hindu life.Giving to the holy man, giving to the astrologer, giving to the teacher, giving dakshina to a swami or a Guru for his support, over and above all giving to his institution, over and above dashamamsha, over and above giving to the temple. If the Guru has satisfied you with the fullness of his presence, you must satisfy yourself in equal fullness in giving back. You can be happy as these two fullnesses merge within you. By giving to the Guru, you give him the satisfaction of giving to another, for he has no needs except the need to practice giving.

Great souls have always taught that, among all the forms of giving, imparting the spiritual teachings is the highest. You can give money or food and provide for the physical aspects of the being, but if you can find a way to give the righteousness, the illumined wisdom of the traditions of the Sanatana Dharma, then you are giving to the spirit of the person, to the soul. Many Hindus buy religious literature to give away, because jnana dana, giving wisdom, is the highest giving and giving of religious literature changed the lives of individuals and brought them into a great fullness of soul satisfaction. Giving through education is a glorious fulfillment for the giver, as well as for the receiver.



Along with the gift comes a portion of the karma of the giver. There was an astrologer who when given more than his due for a jyotisha consultation would always give the excess to a nearby temple, as he did not want to assume any additional karma by receiving more than the worth of his predictions.Giving is also a way of balancing karma, of expressing gratitude for blessings received.

A devotee explained, "I cannot leave the temple without giving to the hundi, offering box, according to the fullness I have received as fullness from the temple."

Children should be taught giving at a very young age. They don't yet have the ten restraints, to worry about. They have not been corrupted by the impact of their own prarabdha karmas. Little children, even babies, can be taught giving to the temple, to holy ones, to one another, to their parents. They can be taught worship, recitation and, of course, contentment-told how beautiful they are when they are quiet and experiencing the joy of serenity. Institutions should also give, according to their means, to other institutions...................................


And think rightly and righteously to GIVE as we don't think to breathe, we breathe to think.