The Art of Giving

[Guest guest]

Srimate Srivansatkopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama:

 

The Art of Giving

 

The world is full of philanthropists. Many of the tall temple towers, sprawling hospitals, educational institutions, etc, owe their existence to noble, generous souls, who wanted to put their money to good use. Every day, we come across appeals for some worthy cause or the other, and sometimes wonder whether all of them would succeed: however, much to our surprise, we find most of them able to garner the funds they need, sooner or later. This strengthens our belief in humanity- despite the numerous factors working against them, charity and generosity are still very much alive. To give, without any expectation of getting anything in return, is indeed a great trait. In this piece, adiyen would like to write about some of the great givers, and the way giving should be done.

 

The TaittirIyOpanishad SIkshAvalli is full of sound instructions. Among the numerous dicta are to be found guidelines on how to Give.

“ShraddhayA dEyam, ashraddhayA dEyam, ShriyA dEyam, HriyA dEyam, BhiyA dEyam, samvidA dEyam” says the Upainishad, enumerating the characteristics of charity.

 

“ShraddhayA dEyam- All charity is to be done with sincerity and good intention, the underlying motive being an urge to be of help to the receiver. Thus giving, with the aim of receiving something in return, is not charity. Giving is also to be done with grace, and in a way that is not embarrassing or insulting to the receiver. The giver should not flaunt his wealth, nor should he remind the recipient of his poverty. Usually, the act of giving puts the giver’s hand uppermost and the receiver’s, on a lower plane. However, it is said that KarNA, to save the receiver the ignominy of stretching his hand lower, held his palms joined together, and requested the recipient to take the gold coins therein, thus ceding the upper position to the receiver.

 

“ashraddhayA dEyam”—Once we decide to give away a particular article, its value or magnificence should not bother us, and we should give whole-heartedly, having scant regard to the item’s worth. Parting with a possession with reluctance does not qualify as charity. This mantra is also interpreted differently-“ashraddhayA adEyam”- do not give without shraddha or sincerity and good intention.

 

“ShriyA dEyam” In a miser, the very thought of charity would induce sorrow, dismay and distress. One should give with a benign disposition, with a smile on one’s face, with happiness induced by the opportunity to be of use to a fellow human being.

 

“HriyA dEyam” Keeping in mind the conduct of the great philanthropists of the past, the inadequacy of one’s own aid and the greatness of the receiver, one should be ashamed of one’s attempts at charity. This is prescribed so that one doesn’t tend to think too much of oneself for the act of kindness.

 

“BhiyA dEyam” If the act of charity is not done in the prescribed fashion, and is contaminated by either insincerity, pride or highhandedness, then it is likely to prove counter-productive. A healthy apprehension of counter-productivity due to incorrect attitude or procedure, should characterize an act of charity, so that the giver would always be on guard against attitudes incompatible with giving. Hence the Upanishad says, “Give with fear”