Generosity is a universal concept across world spiritual traditions, representing selfless acts and kindness. Many traditions converge on the idea that generosity fosters spiritual growth and harmony. However, they diverge in their emphasis and application, offering unique perspectives on its practice and significance.
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The gift given because it ought to be given, to one who does no favor in return, in the right place and time and to a worthy recipient — that gift is regarded as sattvic.
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे | देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ||१७-२०||
Janashruti, the great-grandson, was a man who gave with faith, gave lavishly, and cooked much for guests. Everywhere he had rest-houses built, thinking, "Everywhere people will eat my food."
जानश्रुतिर्ह पौत्रायणः श्रद्धादेयो बहुदायी बहुपाक्य आस स ह सर्वत आवसथान्मापयांचक्रे सर्वत एव मेऽन्नमत्स्यन्तीति
Forgiveness, courage, non-violence, equanimity, truth, sincerity, knowledge, charity, and renunciation are said to be the characteristics of the path that arises from goodness.
Charity is the wind that fills the sails of the boat.
Without giving up worldly attachments, one can never achieve true happiness. Without renunciation, one can never attain their highest good or find peace.
Sacrifice and self-giving are indeed a fundamental principle and a spiritual necessity. We cannot affirm our true being without them.
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.
not other conduct. Those Brahmins who are superior to us—you should comfort them by offering them a seat. One should give with faith; one should not give without faith; one should give with plenty; one should give with modesty; one should give with awe; one should give with sympathy. Now, if you have doubt about a course of action or about conduct,
नो इतराणि । ये के चास्मच्छ्रेयाꣳसो ब्राह्मणाः । तेषां त्वयाऽऽसनेन प्रश्वसितव्यम् । श्रद्धया देयम् । अश्रद्धयाऽदेयम् । श्रिया देयम् । ह्रिया देयम् । भिया देयम् । संविदा देयम् । अथ यदि ते कर्मविचिकित्सा वा वृत्तविचिकित्सा वा स्यात् ॥ ३॥
One should make food abundant; that is the rule. The earth is food; space is the eater of food. Space is founded on the earth; the earth is founded on space. So this food is founded on food. Whoever knows this food founded on food becomes established; he becomes possessed of food and an eater of food; he becomes great in offspring, cattle, and spiritual radiance, great in fame.
अन्नं बहु कुर्वीत । तद्व्रतम् । पृथिवी वा अन्नम् । आकाशोऽन्नादः । पृथिव्यामाकाशः प्रतिष्ठितः । आकाशे पृथिवी प्रतिष्ठिता । तदेतदन्नमन्ने प्रतिष्ठितम् । स य एतदन्नमन्ने प्रतिष्ठितं वेद प्रतितिष्ठति । अन्नवानन्नादो भवति । महान्भवति प्रजया पशुभिर्ब्रह्मवर्चसेन । महान् कीर्त्या ॥ १॥
One should not reject food; that is the rule. The waters are food; light is the eater of food. Light is founded on the waters; the waters are founded on light. So this food is founded on food. Whoever knows this food founded on food becomes established; he becomes possessed of food and an eater of food; he becomes great in offspring, cattle, and spiritual radiance, great in fame.
अन्नं न परिचक्षीत । तद्व्रतम् । आपो वा अन्नम् । ज्योतिरन्नादम् । अप्सु ज्योतिः प्रतिष्ठितम् । ज्योतिष्यापः प्रतिष्ठिताः । तदेतदन्नमन्ने प्रतिष्ठितम् । स य एतदन्नमन्ने प्रतिष्ठितं वेद प्रतितिष्ठति । अन्नवानन्नादो भवति । महान्भवति प्रजया पशुभिर्ब्रह्मवर्चसेन । महान् कीर्त्या ॥ १॥
By giving away land, a person acquires a land that yields nectar in their next life.
Then the humans said to him: 'Please tell us something.' To them he uttered that same syllable 'Da.' 'Did you understand?' — 'We understood,' they said; 'you told us, "Give (datta)."' — 'Yes,' he said, 'you understood.'
अथ हैनं मनुष्या ऊचुर्ब्रवीतु नो भवानिति । तेभ्यो हैतदेवाक्षरमुवाच द इति व्यज्ञासिष्टा३ इति । व्यज्ञासिष्मेति होचुर्दत्तेति न आत्थेत्योमिति होवाच व्यज्ञासिष्टेति ॥ २॥
When they had arrived, he had due honors arranged for each. Rising in the morning, he said: "In my realm there is no thief, no miser, no drunkard, no man without a sacred fire, no ignorant man, no adulterer—much less an adulteress. I am about to perform a sacrifice, sirs; and as much wealth as I give to each priest, so much will I give to each of you. Stay, sirs."
तेभ्यो ह प्राप्तेभ्यः पृथगर्हाणि कारयांचकार स ह प्रातः संजिहान उवाच न मे स्तेनो जनपदे न कर्दर्यो न मद्यपो नानाहिताग्निर्नाविद्वान्न स्वैरी स्वैरिणी कुतो यक्ष्यमाणो वै भगवन्तोऽहमस्मि यावदेकैकस्मा ऋत्विजे धनं दास्यामि तावद्भगवद्भ्यो दास्यामि वसन्तु भगवन्त इति
One should not turn anyone away from one's dwelling; that is the rule. Therefore, by whatever means, one should obtain abundant food. They say: 'Food is made ready for him.' If this food is offered first, food is offered to him first. If this food is offered in the middle way, food is offered to him in the middle way. If this food is offered last, food is offered to him last.
न कञ्चन वसतौ प्रत्याचक्षीत । तद्व्रतम् । तस्माद्यया कया च विधया बह्वन्नं प्राप्नुयात् । अराध्यस्मा अन्नमित्याचक्षते । एतद्वै मुखतोऽन्नꣳराद्धम् । मुखतोऽस्मा अन्नꣳराध्यते । एतद्वै मध्यतोऽन्नꣳराद्धम् । मध्यतोऽस्मा अन्नꣳराध्यते । एदद्वा अन्ततोऽन्नꣳराद्धम् । अन्ततोऽस्मा अन्न राध्यते ॥ १॥
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.
तीर्थयात्रा, योग-सिद्धिः, वैराग्यं, प्रज्ञा, यज्ञ, तपस्, दान, स्वाध्याय, आत्म-संयम, जप, पंच-यज्ञ, भूत-दया, ब्राह्मण-सेवा, गुरु-सेवा, विद्या, विनय, नीति, शील, गुणः, एते सर्वे, वेद-स्तुताः, भागवत-स्तुताः, एकम् एव फलं, भक्तिः, हरि-दयायाः
Giving up all other hopes, whoever worships Lord Rama and fondly chants His praises undoubtedly crosses the ocean of transmigration.
The muttering of prayers, austere penance, performing sacrifices, subjugation of the mind and the senses, undertaking sacred vows, charity, dispassion, right judgment, Yoga (union with God) and Realization - the fruit of all these is devotion to the feet of the Lord of the Raghus; without this no one can attain lasting peace.
गरुर गिरा सुनि हरषेउ कागा, बोलेउ उमा परम अनुरागा. धन्य धन्य तव मति उरगारी, प्रस्न तुम्हारि मोहि अति प्यारी सुनि तव प्रस्न सप्रेम सुहाई, बहुत जनम कै सुधि मोहि आई. सब निज कथा कहौ मैं गाई, तात सुनहु सादर मन लाई जप तप मख सम दम ब्रतदाना, बिरति बिबेक जोग बिग्याना. सब कर फल रघुपति पदप्रेमा, तेहि बिनु कोउ न पावै छेमा एहिं तन राम भगति मैं पाई, ताते मोहि ममता अधिकाई. जेहि ते कछु निज स्वारथ होई, तेहि पर ममता कर सब कोई थिस् बोद्य् थत् इ wअस् ब्लेस्सेद् wइथ् देवोतिओन् तो श्री राम; हेन्चे इत् इस् सो वेर्य् देअर् तो मे. ंउ ंउ उ उ ंउउ लु
You are like a severe frost that destroys the lotus bed of sensual desires, and you are generous beyond all conception.
Convey to the fool by word of mouth my generous message: surrender and make peace or your hour is come.
कहेहु मुखागर मूउर्ह सन मम संदेसु उदार, सीता देइ मिलहु न त आवा कालु तुम्हार