Episode 01 - The Art of Giving.

1. THE ART OF GIVING 

“GIVE WHAT YOU LOVE” - THE ART OF GIVING 

RIG VEDA - HYMN CXVII. Liberality. 

न वा उ देवााः कषुधमिद वधं ददुरुतामितिुपगछन्ति िर्त्यवाः | 

उतो रम ाः पर्यतो नोप दस्यर्त्ुताप्र्र्न्ममडयतारं न मवन्दते|| 

na vā u devāḥ kṣudhamid vadhaṃ dadurutāśitamupaghachanti mṛtyavaḥ | uto rayiḥ pṛṇato nopa dasyatyutāpṛṇanmarḍitāraṃ na vindate || 

THE Gods have not ordained hunger to be our death: even to the well-fed  man comes death in varied shape. The riches of the liberal never waste  away, while he who will not give finds none to comfort him. 

SEEKSHAVALLI – TAITREEYA UPANISHAD 

shraddhaya deyam. Give with faith, reverance and sincerity; ashraddhaya.adeyam. Never give without faith, reverance and sincerity; shriya deyam. Give liberally, according to your affluence; hriya deyam. Give with modesty; 

bhiya deyam. Give with fear (fear that the giving may be declined) sanvida deyam. Give with friendliness and sympathy. 

BRIHADARANYAKA UPANISHAD: 

THE SUPREME BEING’S INSTRUCTION TO DEVAS, MANUSHYAS AND  ASURAS: 

tad etat trayaṁ śikṣet, damam, dAnam, dayAm iti. 

Prajapati instructed the Devas, Manusyas and Asuras with the same  identical syllable: “Da”, “Da”, “Da”. 

Celestials because of their deathless status, indulge. The message for  them therefore, was – Damyata – Restrain. That is the first “Da”. Humans  are by nature greedy. The message for them was therefore “Datta” – Give –

That is the second “Da”. Asuras are by nature cruel and vindictive. The  message for them was therefore “Dayatvam” – Compassion. 

So, to the human beings this was the instruction – Datta,give, because  they are not prepared to give. They always want to keep. Greed is to be  check-mated by charity. 

SRI BHAGAVAD GITA 

Chapter 17. VERSE 20 

datavyam iti yad danam diyate 'nupakarine 

dese kale ca patre ca tad danam sattvikam smrtam 

That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a  worthy person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be  charity in the mode of goodness. 

VERSE 21 

yat tu pratyupakarartham phalam uddisya va punah 

diyate ca pariklistam tad danam rajasam smrtam 

But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a  desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be charity in  the mode of passion. 

VERSE 22 

adesa-kale yad danam apatrebhyas ca diyate 

asat-krtam avajnatam tat tamasam udahrtam 

And charity performed at an improper place and time and given to  unworthy persons without respect and with contempt is charity in the  mode of ignorance. 

THIRUKKURAL & NALADIYAR

I would relate here two “in my lifetime” anecdotes: 

1. When we visited Sri Lakshminarasimhan,(aka Chinnambi) son of the  late Sri N.R.Krishnaswamy Iyengar, Advocate, Sanatanist Leader and  Tamil Scholar of Madurai and the maternal grandfather of Aravinda, my  wife, he related an instance when Sri N.R.K., while he was on a visit to Tirupati,  was approached by an apparently indigent Brahmin for help in regard to  his daughter’s wedding. Sri NRK was a bit stumped for a moment as he  was not carrying spare cash with him that would be appropriate if he had  to accede to this request. He didn’t hesitate a moment: he asked for  Rs.500(a princely sum in those days) from a friend accompanying him – an act he would have normally averted given his stature in society – and  gave it to the Brahmin. The amount was reimbursed to the friend on  return to Madurai. When “Chinnambi” enquired of his father the  appropriateness of this act of his, NRK said: “you might not get that  opportunity again.. to do .. a bit of personal embarrassment was well  worth it.” 

2. Mr.Jit Paul, family doyen of the Apeejay Surrendra Group, Kolkata,  (he passed away in 2010) with which group I was involved as a corporate  adviser/director for close to two decades, would be discussing with me  about issues social, ethical, political, financial, during my visits to  Kolkata. On one such occasion, I enquired of him his attitude to charity.  He said: Parthasarathysab, God has appointed us as couriers to reach the  resources placed in our hand to where He intends. If we fail in that duty – that of a courier appointed by Him – God would just find another courier  (and entrust the resources to him.) 

Quotes About Giving 

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” ― Mother Teresa 

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” ― Charles Dickens 

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” ― Winston S. Churchill 

“For it is in giving that we receive.” 

― Francis of Assisi 

“You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.” ― Robert Louis Stevenson

“Speak the truth do not become angered and give when asked, even be it  a little. By these three conditions one goes to the presence of the gods.” ― Gautama Buddha 

“You often say ; I would give , but only to the deserving, The trees in your  orchard say not so , nor the flocks in your pasture. Surely he who is  worthy to receive his days and nights is worthy of all else from you. And  he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his  cup from your little stream. See first that you yourself deserve to be a  giver , and an instrument of giving. For in truth, it is life that gives unto  life-while you , who deem yourself a giver , is but a witness.” ― Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet 

Giving is really just a flow of your loving self to others. When that  happens, it sets up a flow of supportive energy back to you. When we say  you must give to receive, it’s not that you give in order to get something.  Rather it’s a way of explaining how the abundance of life flows. If you are  not feeling that flow of abundance coming to you, then the first thing to  ask is if you are creating a flow of giving from yourself. You don’t need to  manipulate or control your giving. Simply give what you can with a full  heart. And don’t try to control what you will be receiving either. Know  that you will automatically receive exactly what you need. Deepak Chopra 

Charity from the heart. This is giving out of love. The word “charity”  comes from the Latin “caritas,” or love. In early Christianity “caritas” became one of the three great virtues, along with hope and faith. By the  time of St. Paul it already meant charity in the modern sense, but the  spirit of love was always understood Deepak Chopra. 

COMMENTS: 

Dear Sir: 

Wow!! What a wonderful piece of writing on "Art of Giving". I really  enjoyed reading it, educated myself and now looking for opportunities  with which whatever little i can give. This is fantastic collection of  thoughts, quotes and references, which i think is possible only a person of  your nature can do. 

I am grateful that you are keeping me in this list and sharing your  wisdom. We pray for your long and healthy life. 

with pranams, Ranga

A.L. Rangarajan 

Treasurer, 

Rejuvenate India Movement 

My dear anna, 

A wonderful summation on the Art of Giving. 

Though the veda upanishad annotations are little beyond me, my heart  melted when I read both your personal life anecdotes. 

I fully agree with Sri. Jit Pal that God uses all of us a a vehicle for giving  and one of us don't there is always another. But the sad thing is that  most of us think like the subjects of the king who poured water when they were asked to pour milk for the poor - we tend to think that  someone else will do 

I am more moved by Sri N R Krishnaswamy Iyengar's noble and  instantaneous deed . I wonder how many of us will have such spontaneity  and large heart ? 

I would consider my life is made the day I am able to do what he did . 

We tend to take umbrage undert " Porul Illarkku Ivv Ulagam Illai " , "  thanakku Piraguthan Dhanamum Dharumamum "and sit tight on our  wealth. 

These quotes should definitely impact every one who reads it to GIVE ! With warm regards 

Kannan aka Aravamuthan 

Dear Mama, 

Quite interesting to read through, though the Upanishad part is beyond  my comprehension. 

I have always believed in giving to needy whatever we could. However the word “COULD” is being construed by many in different way.

What I have learnt through my life both by what I did and what I saw  many doing is, give what your mind says at that moment of need.. that  spontaneity is what matters. 

This comes only if we believe in giving. 

I believe, there is no benchmark for giving.. it is not measured in  quantum of assistance.. it is the feeling, will and urge to do for needy.. 

Though giving is a good thing , as responsible citizens, it is also our  responsibility to ensure that it is not exploited by the society and  inadvertently create a sense of ease for people benefitting, and drive them  indolent. 

Though right or wrong, I always persuade people to work for it and make  them realize such assistance is not to be seen as RESPONSIBILITY OF  SOCEITY. 

What we see in reality is people getting used to such help and depend on  helps to survive. I have come across many people in this category which I  do not encourage. 

I believe in assisting people more in field of education, so we don’t see the  future generation of their family in the similar state their parents are… 

There are many small things which we can do in our daily life which is  also seen as giving. 

Road side vendors – Don’t bargain. Give them the price they ask, if you  feel good give them more. 

Workers in construction sectors – Provide them with good drinking water,  Juice or snacks. I do this regularly especially during summer where  temperature in Dubai goes 50+ Deg. 

Helpless old people, if I see them, I stop and give them something. 

Plumber, Electrician, other helpers who fix our home, give them a  personal tip .. again take care to ascertain he does not spend that in  meeting the needs of his habits!! 

List goes… 

I am quite contended with what I am doing, but always I feel I could do  more.

The more I do the more I feel exhilarated.. 

The 2 personal anecdotes in your email has given me a different  dimension for my views, especially the second. 

Thanks for sharing such experiences which guides us to be a better person  each day. 

Looking forward for more!! 

Regards, 

Balaji Vedanarayanan 

Respected Sir, 

Thanks a lot for your inspiring mail on 'The Art of Giving" I am extremely grateful to you for including me in the Group,since I have always respected your thoughts and messages on a variety of subjects that lend meaning to life. 

"Charity blesses the giver and the receiver".God Almighty has given us wealth to be shared with our less-fortunate brothers and 

sisters."Dharmam"",it is said,should be part of our daily life and should be done silently,without fanfare.The affluent should be thankful to God Almighty,for giving them an opportunity to be of help to the needy.There are innumerable good causes in our society that need support and every well-to-do person should help some good cause of his choice. 

ஏழையின் சிரிப்பில் இழறவழனக் காணும் மனனாபாவம் அவர்களுக்கு 

உதவத்தூண் டுனகாலாக இருக்க னவண் டும். வரும் னபாது எழதக் ககாண் டு வந்னதாம், னபாகும் னபாது எழதக் ககாண் டு னபாகப்னபாகினறாம் என் ற கீழதயின் அறிவுழரயின் படி ,ககாடுப்பதில் மகிை்ச்சி கபற னவண் டும் ."ககாடுத்தகதல்லாம் ககாடுத்தான் அவன் யாருக்காகக் ககாடுத்தான்.ஒருத்தருக்கா ககாடுத்தான் இல்ழல ஊருக்காகக் ககாடுத்தான்." என் ற தத்துவத்ழதப் பின் பற்றி வாழும் வாை்க்ழகனய 

னமலான வாை்க்ழக.. 

As always,I am amazed at your deep knowledge of our 

epics,vedas,upanishads etc.,and your ability to share the essence,in

simple language,with your admirers like me. 

I am eagerly looking forward to your following mails of pearls of wisdom on various subjects of importance in our life. 

Yours, 

Sampath. 

Dear Mama, 

Thanks for the inspiring sharing of thought about the "The art of giving". 

Still going through your quotes from Vedas, Upanishads and Gita many  times to take in the essence. Other quotes are also very thought  provoking and useful. 

Though in daily life, I try to help the needy in a small level  spontaneously, it is clear from your write-up that it is one of our bounden  duties to help others and enjoy the satisfaction and happiness out of it. 

Personally, I consider yourself as a living example who practice the "ART  OF GIVING" in its true sense. 

Thanks for including me in this nice sharing of thoughts and values. 

On the occasion of your Birthday, I pray to the God Almighty to bless our  beloved Mama with a long and healthy life to guide us and enlighten our  lives. 

My regards to Mami. 

With love & affection, 

Rama 

Bahukutumbi S.Raghavan: 

There's an interesting corollary to what Parthasarathy has written so  beautifully about giving. While India's sages and seers have gone to great  lengths to praise giving and explain its nuances, they have come down  heavily on those who come in the way of giving because of mean mindedness or jealousy. 

ககாடுப்பதழுக்கறுப்பான் சுற்றம் உடுப்பதூம் 

உண் பதூம் இன் றிக்ககடும் says Thiruvalluvar. Not only the mean-minded person himself, but his families and friends, his kith and kin,  would be en bloc destroyed. 

Kamban uses Thiruvalluvar's very words in a context relating to  Vamanavatar. Mahabali is well-known for his generous and unquestioning  giving, and Vishnu as Vamana asks from him the gift of "three footprints"  of soil. Mahabali instantly agrees and starts to consecrate the gift by  தாழரவார்த்துக் ககாடுத்தல் pouring water from a kamandu.  Brihaspathi, Bali's guru, sees through Vamana's game and tries his best to  stop the gift. When he finds Bali adamant in giving, Sukracharya takes the  form of a வண் டு (wasp), enters the outlet of the vessel to block the water  coming out and thus block the consecration. At that stage, Kamban uses  these words as coming from Bali: 

ககாடுப்பது விலக்கு ககாடினயாய் நினது சுற்றம் 

உடுப்பதுவும் உண் பதுவும் இன் றி விடுகின் றாய் 

There are some other references in old Tamil writings about the  heinousness of blocking ஈழக (giving): ஈவது விலக்னகல் says Avvaiyaar.  Pugazendi in Nala Venba makes it one of five cardinal sins in this stanza: 

காதல் கவறாடல் கள்ளுண் டல் கபாய்ம்கமாழிதல் 

ஈதல் மறுத்தல் இழவ கண் டாய் -- னபாதில் 

சிழனயாழம ழவகும் திருநாடா கசம்ழம 

நிழனயாழம பூண் டார்கநறி. 

காதல் – coveting. 

BS Raghavan 

Respected Sir, 

The Divine is operative in his own way. That's why we have got connected  with you. Thanks to Hari. 

SVRCC is now at crossroads. We have been seriously thinking about ways  and means for its consolidation. 

The topics on life values chosen by you for discussion are apt. Your  erudite treatment of the subject makes it a valuable reading. It will undoubtedly provide us the needed wisdom, to act with clarity and a  purpose. Personally, I shall be gaining immensely. 

We pray for your good health and most of all, for God's Blessings in your  life. 

Warm regards G.V.Subramanian 

Dear All, 

I need to confess when I pressed the "send" button last week, I did so with  some trepidation. This kind of lectures could oftentimes be  misunderstood or even irritate people. I am beholden to the maturity and  thirst for truth evident in the Group's responses. Some of them are  edifying for me. The two way communication enriches allround.  Importantly, it provides the encourage that I need. 

Before I proceed to this week's post, I thought I would address a few of the  comments and responses to the post on "The Art of Giving:" last week. 

Two of Balaji's points and one of Sowmya's. 

On comprehending the Upanishadic messages on the art of giving, the  Seekshavalli enjoins us to - give with reverance and sincerity and not give  if these attitudes could not be invested in the giving; give liberally  according to our affluence; give with the fear that if we are not humble  enough in giving, what we give might be refused; and to give in a friendly  atmosphere. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad's message seems to be that  God had realised the flaws in His creation of the Devas, Humans and  Asuras and through the identically syllabic instruction of "Da" to all the  three - seeks to cure those flaws: indulgence in the Devas - to be  moderated; greed in the humans to be moderated by the attitude of  Giving; the ingrained cruelty of the Asuras to invoke compassion and  kindness. 

Balaji has also referred to his view on the evaluation of the receiver before  giving. There are two very different messages for this. Khalil Gibran is  assailing us: Did the mango tree consider your fitness to receive its  fruits? Did the sweet water fount consider your fitness to receive its  thirst quenching nectar? On the other side, Lord Kirhsna enjoins: Give  without thinking of what it would fetch you (directly or indirectly) but  give understanding the receiver's eligibility, the place of giving and the  time of giving. (patram, desam, kaalam).

Sowmya would find ultimate happiness of giving only when she is able to  give through physical service - to the needy. This is an exceptional  thought. But most of us are constrained by our engagement with real life  and might not find this noble thought easy to accommodate in our  daytoday lives. Here, according to Paramacharya of Kanchi, dong it in  whatever small way we could in our present circumstances is the right  thing to do. He says: It is not enough and proper dharma for the affluent  to contribute money ( to worthwhile projects ); his or her act of dharma  would be incomplete if he or she doesn't physically engage in that project  - carry a few bricks, shovel a few sods of earth of sweep or wipe the floors.  Similarly for the indigent, it is not enough if he or she contributes  physically - shram dhan - which he or she could afford, but contribute  atleast one "kaalaNa" from his or her savings, however strained, for the  project (A "kaalaNa" is the equivalent of Re.0.015). Let us not dismiss this  as tokenism. These efforts come from constrained circumstances and out  of genuine intent to give, and their value cannot be equated with the  physical equivalent alone. When the recent "Samprokshanam" of  Thandanthottam Temple was taken up, extensive civil works for  renovating the Temple were taken up with generous contributions from  family members and corporate friends. When the concrete was to be  poured for the dhyana mandapam, I insisted, to Sridhar's chagrin, on  carrying the first two or three pans of concrete. The quantity of concrete  was reduced to match my physical ability. But this gesture, genuine  desire to be part of that physical activity, was seen by the men and  women who were engaged in this as an emotional communion with them.  That was a very special opportunity for me to relate with those good souls  on an uninhibited, equal basis.