Charity

A gift given at the wrong place and time, to one unworthy of it, without honour or respect — that giving is declared to be of the quality of darkness.

That charity which is given simply because it ought to be given, to one who has not done any prior favour, at the right place, time, and to a worthy recipient — that is remembered as sattvic.

Janashruti Pautrayana was one who gave with faith, a giver of much, who had much food cooked. He had rest-houses built everywhere, thinking, "Everywhere people will eat my food."

Austerity, charity, uprightness, non-violence, and truthful speech — these are his gifts to the priests (dakshina).

But that charity which is given with the expectation of a return, or with a future fruit in view, or which is given with reluctance — that is remembered as rajasic.

Forgiveness, courage, non-violence, equanimity, truth, sincerity, knowledge, charity, and renunciation are said to be the characteristics of the path that arises from goodness.

A person, O king, who makes charitable donations, attains wealth.

Charity is the wind that fills the sails of the boat.

Righteousness is the greatest good; forgiveness is the supreme peace; knowledge is the ultimate contentment; and benevolence is the only true happiness.

This is not Karma Yoga, but rather a self-promotional attempt to gain fame. In contrast, a common laborer who earns a meager living through hard work may choose to donate their earnings to feed the hungry or sick, even if it means they themselves go without food that day. This is true self-sacrifice and genuine Karma Yoga.

The life of a householder is not about indulging in lust and loose living. Instead, it's a life of selfless service, focused on Dharma, charity, goodness, kindness, and self-help, which benefits all of humanity.

But those who, dwelling in villages, devote themselves to sacrifices, works of public benefit, and almsgiving, pass into the smoke; from the smoke into the night, from the night into the dark fortnight, and from the dark fortnight into the six months during which the sun travels southward. They do not reach the year.

Now, once when Shaunaka Kapeya and Abhipratarin Kakshaseni were being served their meal, a student of sacred knowledge begged of them; but they gave him nothing.

Sacrifice, vows, austerity, charity, repetition of mantras, and pilgrimage — those who perform these without understanding the truth of the Guru wander about in ignorance.

Then the demons said to him, "Please instruct us, sir." To them he uttered the same syllable "Da," and asked, "Have you understood?" They said, "We have; you told us 'Dayadhvam' — be compassionate." He said, "Yes, you have understood." That very thing the heavenly voice, the thunder, repeats: "Da, Da, Da" — control yourselves, give, be compassionate. Therefore one should learn these three: self-control, charity and compassion.

Therefore even today people here say of one who gives no gifts, has no faith, and offers no sacrifice, 'Ah, how demonic!' — for this is the doctrine of the demons. They adorn the body of the dead with things begged, with clothes and ornaments, thinking that thereby they will win the other world.

Then one night some swans flew past, and one swan said to another, "Ho, ho! O Bhallaksha, Bhallaksha! The light of Janashruti Pautrayana has spread out like the daylight; do not brush against it, lest it burn you."

Then the men said to him, "Please instruct us, sir." To them he uttered the same syllable "Da," and asked, "Have you understood?" They said, "We have; you told us 'Datta' — give." He said, "Yes, you have understood."

He begged of the wealthy man as he was eating beans. The man said to him: 'There are no others than these that are set before me.'

Pilgrimages, yoga, renunciation, wisdom, rituals, penance, charity, self-study, self-control, recitation of prayers, and austere devotion, all of which are praised in the Vedas and Bhagavata, have one single reward: devotion to Hari.