| Charity in Hinduism |
| Hindu Scriptures and Books |
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| Scriptural References Rig Veda HYMN CXVII. Liberality. 1. The Devas 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. 2 The man with food in store who, when the needy comes in miserable case begging for bread to eat, Hardens his heart against him-even when of old he did him service-finds not one to comfort him. 3 Bounteous is he who gives unto the beggar who comes to him in want of food and feeble. 4 No friend is he who to his friend and comrade who comes imploring food, will offer nothing. Let him depart-no home is that to rest in-, and rather seek a stranger to support him. 5 Let the rich satisfy the poor implorer, and bend his eye upon a longer pathway. Riches come now to one, now to another, and like the wheels of cars are ever rolling. 6 The foolish man wins food with fruitless labour: that food -I speak the truth- shall be his ruin. He feeds no trusty friend, no man to love him. All guilt is he who eats with no partaker. 7 The ploughshare ploughing makes the food that feeds us, and with its feet cuts through the path it follows. Better the speaking than the silent Brahman: the liberal friend outvalues him who gives not. Thirukkural Charity 221. The only gift is giving to the poor; All else is exchange. 222. To receive, even if sinless, is bad; and to give Even without a heaven, is good. 223. Never to say, "I lack" and to give Mark the well-born. 224. Pity is painful till one sees the face Of the suppliant lit with joy. 225. It is great to endure hunger, but only next To removing it. 226. A rich man who removes a poor's killing hunger Lays up treasures for himself. 227. Hunger, dread, disease, will never touch One who shares his food. 228. Don't they know the joy of giving Who heartless hoard and love their wealth? 229. To eat alone what one has hoarded Is worse than begging. 230. Nothing is worse than death; but death is sweet If one can't help the poor. Social Obligation 211. Duty is not for reward Does the world recompense the rain-cloud? 212. The worthy work and earn wealth In order to help others. 213. How rare to find in heaven or earth A joy to excel beneficence! 214. He only lives who is kin to all creation; Deem the rest dead. 215. The wealth of a wise philanthropist Is a village pool ever full. 216. The wealth of liberal man Is a village tree fruit-laden. 217. The wealth of the large-hearted Is an unfailing medicine tree. 218. Those bound to their community Even helpless will not slacken. 219. The want the liberal-minded feel Is not to be able to help others. 220. If poverty comes of doing good for one's self may be sold to do it Bhagawad Gita The righteous who eat the remnants of the Yajna are freed from all sins, but the impious who cook food only for themselves (without sharing with others in charity) verily eat sin. (3.13) Arjuna, whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer as oblation to the sacred fire, whatever charity you give, whatever austerity you perform, do all that as an offering unto Me. (See also 12.10, 18.46) Charity that is given as a matter of duty, to a deserving candidate who does nothing in return, at the right place and time, is called a Saattvika charity. (17.20) Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity prescribed in the scriptures are always commenced by uttering "OM" by the knowers of Brahman. (17.24) Various types of sacrifice, charity, and austerity are performed by the seekers of nirvana by uttering "TAT" (or He is all) without seeking a reward. (17.25) Faith in sacrifice, charity, and austerity is also called SAT. The action for the sake of the Supreme is verily termed as SAT. (17.27) The Supreme Lord said: Fearlessness, purity of heart, perseverance in the yoga of knowledge, charity, sense restraint, sacrifice, study of the scriptures, austerity, honesty; (16.01)...these are the qualities of those endowed with divine virtues, O Arjuna. (16.03) Acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should not be abandoned, but should be performed, because sacrifice, charity, and austerity are the purifiers of the wise. (18.05) Even these (obligatory) works should be performed without attachment to the fruits. This is My definite supreme advice, O Arjuna. (18.06) Yakshan Prashna in Mahabharatha kimsvinmi tram marishyatah DANAM mitram marishyatah Who is the friend of the dying? His charity kimsvidas ya para yanam DANAMasya parayanam What is his (a man's) principal duty? Charity Brihadaranyaka Upanishad That very thing is repeated even today by the heavenly voice, in the form of thunder, as "Da," "Da," "Da," which means: "Control yourselves (Damayata)," "Give (Datta)," and "Have compassion (Dayadhvam)." Therefore one should learn these three: self-control, giving and mercy. Chandogya Upanishad There are three divisions of dharma: Sacrifice, study and charity form the first. |
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| Yat karosi yad asnani yaj juhosi dadasi yat, yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kurusva madarpanam Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice Whatever charity you give, whatever austerity you practice, do it as an offering to Me (Gita:9.27) |
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