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Which "Dhanam” is Supreme ?
Importance of DAAN in different Yugas
Srimad Bhagwad Gita has described four Yugas – Sat Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kal Yuga – depending upon the nature of the collective consciousness of the people. It describes four pillars of Dharma and they are truthfulness (satya), hard work (tapas), purity of mind (pavitrata) and charity (daya and daan).
Whether a person is a Satyugi or Kalyugi is decided by presence of some or all the four characteristics as mentioned in Srimad Bhagwad: Truthfulness (Satya), Selfless hard work (Tap), positive thoughts (purity) and Daya & Daan (Charity).
This indicates that be it any type of person or any yuga, daan is an important component.
Various types of DAAN
The Bhagwad Gita describes various types of daan in shlokas 17.20 through 17.22.
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे |देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्विकं स्मृतम् || 20||
dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate ‘nupakāriṇedeśhe kāle cha pātre cha tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛitam
Meaning: Charity given to a worthy person simply because it is right to give, without consideration of anything in return, at the proper time and in the proper place, is stated to be in the mode of goodness.
यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुन: |दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् || 21||
yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ phalam uddiśhya vā punaḥdīyate cha parikliṣhṭaṁ tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛitam
Meaning: But charity given with reluctance, with the hope of a return or in expectation of a reward, is said to be in the mode of passion.
अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते |असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् || 22||
adeśha-kāle yad dānam apātrebhyaśh cha dīyateasat-kṛitam avajñātaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛitam
Meaning: And that charity, which is given at the wrong place and wrong time to unworthy persons, without showing respect, or with contempt, is held to be of the nature of nescience (ignorance).
Simply put, daan can be satvik (done and then forgotten), rajasik (done for one’s own satisfaction) or tamasik (done only to show off).
Satvik daan is true daan. It can be paropkar for welfare of others (according to your will), dakshina (according to what you can afford) and bhiksha (giving to the hungry and needy).
Every religion mentions daan or charity and prescribes that a certain percentage of income should be donated.
Different Types of DAAN
Our shastras have described different types of daan: godana (donation of a cow), bhudana (भूदान; donation of land), vidyadana (विद्यादान; sharing knowledge and teaching skills), aushadha dana (औषधदान; charity of care for the sick and diseased), abhaya dana (अभयदान; giving freedom from fear – asylum, protection to someone facing imminent injury) and anna dana (अन्नदान; giving food to the poor, needy and all visitors).
As per the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad:
3.9.3: कतमे वसव इति; अग्निश्च पृथिवी च वायुश्चान्तरिक्शं चादित्यश्च द्यौश्च चन्द्रमाश्च नक्शत्राणि चैते वसवः; एतेषु हीदं वसु सर्वं हितमिति तस्माद्वसव इति ॥
katame vasava iti; agniśca pṛthivī ca vāyuścāntarikśaṃ cādityaśca dyauśca candramāśca nakśatrāṇi caite vasavaḥ; eteṣu hīdaṃ vasu sarvaṃ hitamiti tasmādvasava iti ||
Meaning: Vasus are those who help others to live
5.2.3: तदेतत्त्रयँ शिक्षेद् दमं दानं दयामिति
Meaning: Learn three cardinal virtues – temperance (dam, self restraint), charity (daan) and compassion (daya) for all life.
The Chandogya Upanishad in volume 23 of Chapter 2 has described charity to those in distress (Dana) as among other ethical duties: personal duties such as education and self-study (svadhyaya, brahmacharya), social rituals such as yajna.
त्रयो धर्मस्कन्धा यज्ञोऽध्ययनं दानमिति प्रथम; स्तप एव द्वितीयो ब्रह्मचार्याचार्यकुलवासी तृतीयो
ऽत्यन्तमात्मानमाचार्यकुलेऽवसादयन्सर्व एते पुण्यलोका भवन्ति ब्रह्मसँस्थोऽमृतत्वमेति ॥ १ ॥[52]
Skanda Puran (स्कंद पुराण) says one should earmark 10% of one’s justly earned income for good deeds or works of public benefit.
Islam has Zakat and Sadaqah. Zakat is giving a fixed portion (2.5% annually) of accumulated wealth by those who can afford it to help the poor or needy, while sadaqah is optional charity, which is practiced as religious duty and out of generosity.
Christianity says, “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42)
Daan is one of three duties of Sikhs. Examples of daan in Sikhism include selfless service and langar.
Jainism has four types of daan: Ahara-dana (donation of food), Aushadha-dana (donation of medicine), Jnana-dana (donation of knowledge) and Abhaya-dana (giving of protection or freedom from fear, asylum to someone under threat).
There can be another aspect to daan. It can be external daan (what you give) or internal daan.
Internal daan can denote discarding (giving away) all the inner negative thoughts and emotions or desires or as Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha and Ahankara, as classified by the Bhagvad Gita. Reducing one’s ego can also be considered a form of daan. This can be done by appreciating others.
Sutra: “Do an act of charity and forget about it, but if somebody does you an act of kindness or helps you, never forget it.”
Concept of DAAN
Dharma means the values which sustain the whole universe. As a sloka in Sanskrit says - "Shreyaan swa dharmo vigunaha para dharmaat anusthitaah”.
The entire concept of donating alms is different in the four different eras.
In satya yuga, the giver went out, in search of a recipient to whom he could give something.
In treta yuga, the recipient had to come to the givers house before he would be given anything.
In dvapara yuga, the giver never gave anything without being asked for it by the recipient.
And in kali yuga, the giver gives only to those who are servile to him.
Whenever a Daan is made one must think as an offering to GOD.
Even this is in forced by Lord Krishna to Karna in the battle in Mahabharata. Karna in spite of his supreme charity during his entire life, he had not performed them as an arpan (offered) to the God. This limits the benefits he eventually derived out of that punya. So when he donates all his Karmaphal to Lord Krishna (who came as Brahmin), his action elevated his Daan to a supreme level, as a Bhagavath Arpana.
Why did Krishna do this? Why did he ask Karna for Dhaan even at that desperate moment? Why did he take away all his punya? Is it a cruel act of Krishna? No. It is very easy to get misled by such erroneous thoughts or misunderstanding. It is actually an act of karunya by Lord.
Throughout his life Karna indeed did limitless Daan. But he had not performed them as an Arpan (offered) to Lord Krishna (God) this limits the benefits he will eventually derive out of that punya. But Krishna by asking for and accepting all his punya, makes Karna do the supreme dhana, that of donating all his punya to Bhagavan Himself. This elevates his Daan to a supreme level, as a Bhagavath Arpana. (Krishna Aarpanmasthu).
To bless Karna with his bhagya is the real intention of Lord Krishna, while He himself risks being seen as heartless. This is the true karunya nature of God Sri Krishna.
Daan is an offering to God
Whenever a Dhaan is made one must thing as an offering to GOD
Sri Rama had once taught Lakshmana about the duties of a king.
The duties of king are fourfold. Firstly, he has to earn wealth. Secondly, he has to increase it. Thirdly, he has to protect it. And fourthly and finally, he has to donate it.
Sri Sri Ravishankarji says
“Rice is purified by a drop of ghee on it”. In the same way the money gets purified by charity. When you give a portion of what you have earned for a good cause then the rest of the money that you have is pure money.
What Bhagavat Gita Says
According to the Srimad Bhagavat Gita “Daan” is the original word in Sanskrit for donation meaning selfless giving. In the list of the ten Niyamas (virtuous acts), Daan comes third.
In the Gita, Bhagavan Krishna states that the wise have described three main paths to achieving fulfillment- ’Yagyo daanam tapaschaiva, paavnaani maneeshinaam’.
. Yagya relates to sacrifice, whereby an individual relinquishes something. Daan may be described as a charitable act or donation of something for a good cause. Through organ donation, even those devoid of worldly wealth can accomplish these merits by giving the ultimate gift of life.
The noblest method of giving is “Saatvik,” whereby the donor gives unreservedly and not anticipating anything in return. Indeed the recipient should be one who (as in the case of a patient requiring an organ) cannot return the favor and this verse from the Gita corroborates this point:
“Daatavyam iti yad daanam diyate ’nupakaarine deshe kaale ca paatre ca tad daanam saattvikam smritam”
That gift, which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a deserving person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness." (Bhagavad-Gita Gita 17.20).
Making gifts or Daan is indeed a character-building exercise, because if genuinely done, it is supposed to encourage humility, a sense of community, a sense of duty and a spirit of compassion and sharing.
aharas tv api sarvasya
tri-vidho bhavati priyah
yajnas tapas tatha danam
tesham bhedam imam shrinu
Bhagavad Gita 17.7
"Even the food each person prefers is of three kinds, according to the three modes of material nature. The same is true of sacrifices, austerities and charity. Now hear of the distinctions between them."
aphalakanksibhir yajno
vidhi-disto ya ijyate
yastavyam eveti manah
samadhaya sa sattvikah
Bhagavad Gita 17.11
"Of sacrifices, the sacrifice performed according to the directions of scripture, as a matter of duty, by those who desire no reward, is of the nature of goodness."
abhisandhaya tu phalam
dambhartham api caiva yat
ijyate bharata-srestha
tam yajnam viddhi rajasam
Bhagavad Gita 17.12
"But the sacrifice performed for some material benefit, or for the sake of pride, O chief of the Bharatas, you should know to be in the mode of passion."
Blood Donation
Blood donation is noble act , but it should be done without any reward
Vidya donation
Nowadays no one teaches the other without some sort of reward.
Vidya donation to an ignorant is noble provided it is done without any reward
Anna Daan
People make give food for hungry to ward off their sufferings. Also it makes the receiver lazy to work.
Deserving poor may be offered food without any motive.
Krishnan said the name Akshaya is Sanskrit for "undecaying" or "imperishable," and was chosen "to signify [that] human compassion should never decay or perish. ... The spirit of helping others must prevail for ever." Also, in Hindu mythology, Goddess Annapoorani's "Akshaya bowl" fed the hungry endlessly, never depleting its resources.
Krishnan's day begins at 4 a.m. He and his team cover nearly 125 miles in a donated van, routinely working in temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
He seeks out the homeless under bridges and in the nooks and crannies between the city's temples. The hot meals he delivers are simple, tasty vegetarian fare he personally prepares, packs and often hand-feeds to nearly 400 clients each day.
Krishnan carries a comb, scissors and razor and is trained in eight haircut styles that, along with a fresh shave, provide extra dignity to those he serves.
He says many of the homeless seldom know their names or origins, and none has the capacity to beg, ask for help or offer thanks. They may be paranoid and hostile because of their conditions, but Krishnan says this only steadies his resolve to offer help.
"The panic, suffering of the human hunger is the driving force of me and my team members of Akshaya," he said. "I get this energy from the people. The food which I cook ... the enjoyment which they get is the energy. I see the soul. I want to save my people."
Source : edition.cnn
THIRUVALLUVAR ON CHARITY
குறள் 221:
வறியார்க்கொன்று ஈவதே ஈகைமற் றெல்லாம்
குறியெதிர்ப்பை நீர துடைத்து.
மு.வரதராசன் விளக்கம்:
வறியவர்க்கு ஒரு பொருளைக் கொடுப்பதே ஈகை எனப்படுவது, மற்றவர்க்குக் கொடுப்பதெல்லாம் பயன் எதிர்பார்த்து கொடுக்கும் தன்மை உடையது.
குறள் 230:
சாதலின் இன்னாத தில்லை இனிததூஉம்
ஈதல் இயையாக் கடை.
மு.வரதராசன் விளக்கம்:
சாவதை விடத் துன்பமானது வேறொன்றும் இல்லை, ஆனால் வறியவர்க்கு ஒரு பொருள் கொடுக்க முடியாதநிலை வந்தபோது அச் சாதலும் இனியதே ஆகும்.
Organ Donating the while still alive
WE often read about accident victims Body parts are donated and harvested by hospitals for other ailing patients .
One can bequeath eyes by taking a pledge, resolving to donate them after death. But it requires the help of relatives or friends to carry out the pledge and desire. A living person cannot donate eyes. A recipient is not told who donated the eye: the gift of sight is made anonymously.
This Donation without expecting any reward is one of the greatest donations.
"Hindus cremate the dead body and through the purifying fire principle, the Agni - Devata, the five elements of earth, fire, water, air and ether, composing the body is thanked for having allowed one's soul to have had a use of the body as a temple.
However, after death, the body is cast off as "worn old clothes" [Bhagwad Gita]. Where such old body parts move to another body they come under the charge of that new resident soul, while the donor soul not only thanks but shows respect to the Vedic Devatas of those five principle elements, by this last act of renunciation.
Any donation without expecting any favor or reward, or advertisement for the person donating is a supreme donation.
Give for the sake of giving as it is your moral duty to give and don’t think while you give.
I have already pledged my eyes to eyes bank after my death, did you ?
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Importance of DAAN in different Yugas
Srimad Bhagwad Gita has described four Yugas – Sat Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kal Yuga – depending upon the nature of the collective consciousness of the people. It describes four pillars of Dharma and they are truthfulness (satya), hard work (tapas), purity of mind (pavitrata) and charity (daya and daan).
Whether a person is a Satyugi or Kalyugi is decided by presence of some or all the four characteristics as mentioned in Srimad Bhagwad: Truthfulness (Satya), Selfless hard work (Tap), positive thoughts (purity) and Daya & Daan (Charity).
- If all the four characteristics are present, the person is Satyugi.
- If truthfulness is absent, the person is Tretyugi
- If both truthfulness and hard work are absent, one is Dwaparyugi
- When only Daan & Daya are present, the person is Kalyugi.
This indicates that be it any type of person or any yuga, daan is an important component.
Various types of DAAN
The Bhagwad Gita describes various types of daan in shlokas 17.20 through 17.22.
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे |देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्विकं स्मृतम् || 20||
dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate ‘nupakāriṇedeśhe kāle cha pātre cha tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛitam
Meaning: Charity given to a worthy person simply because it is right to give, without consideration of anything in return, at the proper time and in the proper place, is stated to be in the mode of goodness.
यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुन: |दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् || 21||
yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ phalam uddiśhya vā punaḥdīyate cha parikliṣhṭaṁ tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛitam
Meaning: But charity given with reluctance, with the hope of a return or in expectation of a reward, is said to be in the mode of passion.
अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते |असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् || 22||
adeśha-kāle yad dānam apātrebhyaśh cha dīyateasat-kṛitam avajñātaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛitam
Meaning: And that charity, which is given at the wrong place and wrong time to unworthy persons, without showing respect, or with contempt, is held to be of the nature of nescience (ignorance).
Simply put, daan can be satvik (done and then forgotten), rajasik (done for one’s own satisfaction) or tamasik (done only to show off).
Satvik daan is true daan. It can be paropkar for welfare of others (according to your will), dakshina (according to what you can afford) and bhiksha (giving to the hungry and needy).
Every religion mentions daan or charity and prescribes that a certain percentage of income should be donated.
Different Types of DAAN
Our shastras have described different types of daan: godana (donation of a cow), bhudana (भूदान; donation of land), vidyadana (विद्यादान; sharing knowledge and teaching skills), aushadha dana (औषधदान; charity of care for the sick and diseased), abhaya dana (अभयदान; giving freedom from fear – asylum, protection to someone facing imminent injury) and anna dana (अन्नदान; giving food to the poor, needy and all visitors).
As per the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad:
3.9.3: कतमे वसव इति; अग्निश्च पृथिवी च वायुश्चान्तरिक्शं चादित्यश्च द्यौश्च चन्द्रमाश्च नक्शत्राणि चैते वसवः; एतेषु हीदं वसु सर्वं हितमिति तस्माद्वसव इति ॥
katame vasava iti; agniśca pṛthivī ca vāyuścāntarikśaṃ cādityaśca dyauśca candramāśca nakśatrāṇi caite vasavaḥ; eteṣu hīdaṃ vasu sarvaṃ hitamiti tasmādvasava iti ||
Meaning: Vasus are those who help others to live
5.2.3: तदेतत्त्रयँ शिक्षेद् दमं दानं दयामिति
Meaning: Learn three cardinal virtues – temperance (dam, self restraint), charity (daan) and compassion (daya) for all life.
The Chandogya Upanishad in volume 23 of Chapter 2 has described charity to those in distress (Dana) as among other ethical duties: personal duties such as education and self-study (svadhyaya, brahmacharya), social rituals such as yajna.
त्रयो धर्मस्कन्धा यज्ञोऽध्ययनं दानमिति प्रथम; स्तप एव द्वितीयो ब्रह्मचार्याचार्यकुलवासी तृतीयो
ऽत्यन्तमात्मानमाचार्यकुलेऽवसादयन्सर्व एते पुण्यलोका भवन्ति ब्रह्मसँस्थोऽमृतत्वमेति ॥ १ ॥[52]
Skanda Puran (स्कंद पुराण) says one should earmark 10% of one’s justly earned income for good deeds or works of public benefit.
Islam has Zakat and Sadaqah. Zakat is giving a fixed portion (2.5% annually) of accumulated wealth by those who can afford it to help the poor or needy, while sadaqah is optional charity, which is practiced as religious duty and out of generosity.
Christianity says, “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42)
Daan is one of three duties of Sikhs. Examples of daan in Sikhism include selfless service and langar.
Jainism has four types of daan: Ahara-dana (donation of food), Aushadha-dana (donation of medicine), Jnana-dana (donation of knowledge) and Abhaya-dana (giving of protection or freedom from fear, asylum to someone under threat).
There can be another aspect to daan. It can be external daan (what you give) or internal daan.
Internal daan can denote discarding (giving away) all the inner negative thoughts and emotions or desires or as Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha and Ahankara, as classified by the Bhagvad Gita. Reducing one’s ego can also be considered a form of daan. This can be done by appreciating others.
Sutra: “Do an act of charity and forget about it, but if somebody does you an act of kindness or helps you, never forget it.”
Concept of DAAN
Dharma means the values which sustain the whole universe. As a sloka in Sanskrit says - "Shreyaan swa dharmo vigunaha para dharmaat anusthitaah”.
The entire concept of donating alms is different in the four different eras.
In satya yuga, the giver went out, in search of a recipient to whom he could give something.
In treta yuga, the recipient had to come to the givers house before he would be given anything.
In dvapara yuga, the giver never gave anything without being asked for it by the recipient.
And in kali yuga, the giver gives only to those who are servile to him.
Whenever a Daan is made one must think as an offering to GOD.
Even this is in forced by Lord Krishna to Karna in the battle in Mahabharata. Karna in spite of his supreme charity during his entire life, he had not performed them as an arpan (offered) to the God. This limits the benefits he eventually derived out of that punya. So when he donates all his Karmaphal to Lord Krishna (who came as Brahmin), his action elevated his Daan to a supreme level, as a Bhagavath Arpana.
Why did Krishna do this? Why did he ask Karna for Dhaan even at that desperate moment? Why did he take away all his punya? Is it a cruel act of Krishna? No. It is very easy to get misled by such erroneous thoughts or misunderstanding. It is actually an act of karunya by Lord.
Throughout his life Karna indeed did limitless Daan. But he had not performed them as an Arpan (offered) to Lord Krishna (God) this limits the benefits he will eventually derive out of that punya. But Krishna by asking for and accepting all his punya, makes Karna do the supreme dhana, that of donating all his punya to Bhagavan Himself. This elevates his Daan to a supreme level, as a Bhagavath Arpana. (Krishna Aarpanmasthu).
To bless Karna with his bhagya is the real intention of Lord Krishna, while He himself risks being seen as heartless. This is the true karunya nature of God Sri Krishna.
Daan is an offering to God
Whenever a Dhaan is made one must thing as an offering to GOD
Sri Rama had once taught Lakshmana about the duties of a king.
The duties of king are fourfold. Firstly, he has to earn wealth. Secondly, he has to increase it. Thirdly, he has to protect it. And fourthly and finally, he has to donate it.
Sri Sri Ravishankarji says
“Rice is purified by a drop of ghee on it”. In the same way the money gets purified by charity. When you give a portion of what you have earned for a good cause then the rest of the money that you have is pure money.
What Bhagavat Gita Says
According to the Srimad Bhagavat Gita “Daan” is the original word in Sanskrit for donation meaning selfless giving. In the list of the ten Niyamas (virtuous acts), Daan comes third.
In the Gita, Bhagavan Krishna states that the wise have described three main paths to achieving fulfillment- ’Yagyo daanam tapaschaiva, paavnaani maneeshinaam’.
. Yagya relates to sacrifice, whereby an individual relinquishes something. Daan may be described as a charitable act or donation of something for a good cause. Through organ donation, even those devoid of worldly wealth can accomplish these merits by giving the ultimate gift of life.
The noblest method of giving is “Saatvik,” whereby the donor gives unreservedly and not anticipating anything in return. Indeed the recipient should be one who (as in the case of a patient requiring an organ) cannot return the favor and this verse from the Gita corroborates this point:
“Daatavyam iti yad daanam diyate ’nupakaarine deshe kaale ca paatre ca tad daanam saattvikam smritam”
That gift, which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a deserving person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness." (Bhagavad-Gita Gita 17.20).
Making gifts or Daan is indeed a character-building exercise, because if genuinely done, it is supposed to encourage humility, a sense of community, a sense of duty and a spirit of compassion and sharing.
aharas tv api sarvasya
tri-vidho bhavati priyah
yajnas tapas tatha danam
tesham bhedam imam shrinu
Bhagavad Gita 17.7
"Even the food each person prefers is of three kinds, according to the three modes of material nature. The same is true of sacrifices, austerities and charity. Now hear of the distinctions between them."
aphalakanksibhir yajno
vidhi-disto ya ijyate
yastavyam eveti manah
samadhaya sa sattvikah
Bhagavad Gita 17.11
"Of sacrifices, the sacrifice performed according to the directions of scripture, as a matter of duty, by those who desire no reward, is of the nature of goodness."
abhisandhaya tu phalam
dambhartham api caiva yat
ijyate bharata-srestha
tam yajnam viddhi rajasam
Bhagavad Gita 17.12
"But the sacrifice performed for some material benefit, or for the sake of pride, O chief of the Bharatas, you should know to be in the mode of passion."
Blood Donation
Blood donation is noble act , but it should be done without any reward
Vidya donation
Nowadays no one teaches the other without some sort of reward.
Vidya donation to an ignorant is noble provided it is done without any reward
Anna Daan
People make give food for hungry to ward off their sufferings. Also it makes the receiver lazy to work.
Deserving poor may be offered food without any motive.
- Narayanan Krishnan has served more than 1.2 million meals to India's homeless, destitute.
Krishnan said the name Akshaya is Sanskrit for "undecaying" or "imperishable," and was chosen "to signify [that] human compassion should never decay or perish. ... The spirit of helping others must prevail for ever." Also, in Hindu mythology, Goddess Annapoorani's "Akshaya bowl" fed the hungry endlessly, never depleting its resources.
Krishnan's day begins at 4 a.m. He and his team cover nearly 125 miles in a donated van, routinely working in temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
He seeks out the homeless under bridges and in the nooks and crannies between the city's temples. The hot meals he delivers are simple, tasty vegetarian fare he personally prepares, packs and often hand-feeds to nearly 400 clients each day.
Krishnan carries a comb, scissors and razor and is trained in eight haircut styles that, along with a fresh shave, provide extra dignity to those he serves.
He says many of the homeless seldom know their names or origins, and none has the capacity to beg, ask for help or offer thanks. They may be paranoid and hostile because of their conditions, but Krishnan says this only steadies his resolve to offer help.
"The panic, suffering of the human hunger is the driving force of me and my team members of Akshaya," he said. "I get this energy from the people. The food which I cook ... the enjoyment which they get is the energy. I see the soul. I want to save my people."
Source : edition.cnn
THIRUVALLUVAR ON CHARITY
குறள் 221:
வறியார்க்கொன்று ஈவதே ஈகைமற் றெல்லாம்
குறியெதிர்ப்பை நீர துடைத்து.
மு.வரதராசன் விளக்கம்:
வறியவர்க்கு ஒரு பொருளைக் கொடுப்பதே ஈகை எனப்படுவது, மற்றவர்க்குக் கொடுப்பதெல்லாம் பயன் எதிர்பார்த்து கொடுக்கும் தன்மை உடையது.
குறள் 230:
சாதலின் இன்னாத தில்லை இனிததூஉம்
ஈதல் இயையாக் கடை.
மு.வரதராசன் விளக்கம்:
சாவதை விடத் துன்பமானது வேறொன்றும் இல்லை, ஆனால் வறியவர்க்கு ஒரு பொருள் கொடுக்க முடியாதநிலை வந்தபோது அச் சாதலும் இனியதே ஆகும்.
Organ Donating the while still alive
WE often read about accident victims Body parts are donated and harvested by hospitals for other ailing patients .
One can bequeath eyes by taking a pledge, resolving to donate them after death. But it requires the help of relatives or friends to carry out the pledge and desire. A living person cannot donate eyes. A recipient is not told who donated the eye: the gift of sight is made anonymously.
This Donation without expecting any reward is one of the greatest donations.
"Hindus cremate the dead body and through the purifying fire principle, the Agni - Devata, the five elements of earth, fire, water, air and ether, composing the body is thanked for having allowed one's soul to have had a use of the body as a temple.
However, after death, the body is cast off as "worn old clothes" [Bhagwad Gita]. Where such old body parts move to another body they come under the charge of that new resident soul, while the donor soul not only thanks but shows respect to the Vedic Devatas of those five principle elements, by this last act of renunciation.
Any donation without expecting any favor or reward, or advertisement for the person donating is a supreme donation.
Give for the sake of giving as it is your moral duty to give and don’t think while you give.
I have already pledged my eyes to eyes bank after my death, did you ?
kkaggarwal
swarnabhairavapeedam
hestories/agni-purana
wisdomfromsrisriravishankar.blogspot
swahainternational
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