Datta Maata 125: Charity is good when it is done within one's capacity

Charity is good and it is mandatory for all but we must engage in it knowing the eligibility. The donations that are done beyond one's capacity do not yield good results.

In a village, there lived a trader. He is somewhat affluent and a good, righteous person. All his ancestors obtained good name and fame by being righteous and by engaging in charity. This trader acquired the same quality from his ancestors. With such inborn virtue and with the sense of being useful to people around, he engaged himself in great meritorious deeds. He gave away anything that anyone would ask him even without a second thought. His name was considered first in all the institutions that involved righteousness and charity. When everyone praised him for his great charity, he used to feel very happy too.

Unexpectedly, his business went into losses at once. He did not expect this at all. It was very difficult for him to even run the house. Even in such a state, his mind that is very much used to charity, wanted to continue It further. It is a good habit though. Using some of his year end profits and borrowing loans from others, he once again engaged himself in noble works and charity, quite casually. Unfortunately, he incurred losses the consecutive year as well. Meanwhile, he could not even resist the torture of those who had lent him loans. So, with all this, he lost his cool.

At this juncture, a Yogi visited his village. The trader met him and told about his suffering in detail - "O revered one! It is said that charity is the most noble thing to do. With such a virtue, I have performed several donations. I even took many loans for the same with the hope that I will gain good returns in my business in the future. But all those who have lent money to me are stealing my peace of mind, even though they are all quite rich. What is this? Why am I in this sorry state? Is it wrong to even do charity?"

Who told him to do charity by taking loans? The Yogi replied, "O dear, your charity is good but it can be considered as charity only when you do it with your own money. How can it be called charity when you are taking others' money for the same? You can't take away the donkey of a washerman and give it away to a barber. How is that possible? Will not the washerman come in search of his donkey? If you cannot repay to those who have lent you, it is like giving pain them to satisfy others. Hence, you only end up acquiring sin. Even though, you repay them later, for now you are earning name and fame only with others' money. This implies that you are wrongly enjoying fame with their money. It is like cheating and robbing. Such charities will not yield any fruits at all. What is it that you get when you are giving away others' money? You must give yours. You must work hard. You will be contented only if you give your hard-earned money. The one who cannot repay the loan has no rights, whatsoever, to give the money in charity. You must also observe that charity has become like a vice for you. The one who is engaged in vices will never have peace of mind. Do you remember?" These were the words of Yogi.

Hence, those who engage in charity will yield good results if they understand their eligibility. Many conduct Satyanarayana vrata and perform charity by taking loans. Comparatively, It will be better if you perform a marriage with loans. It is instead too good to not do anything in such case. You must do whatever is possible for you and rest, you need not bother. Grabbing others' money or possessions and giving them as charity will only benefit them and not you. It is as good as giving pain to them. We do not know whether they would do charity but it is certainly not good for you to do charity with their money. Hence, you must perform charity whenever you become eligible and when you have enough money. Why do you bother yourself unnecessarily? Many people do that. They do that with show off and pomp. It is not good.

Jaya Guru Datta! Sri Guru Datta!