Donation: How, Why and When
Many people ask me what is the correct and proper way to donate? Let me start by saying;
देयं भेषजमार्तस्य परिश्रान्तस्य चासनम् ।
तृषितस्य च पानीयं क्षुधितस्य च भोजनम् ॥
Means, medicine to sick and ailing, a place to rest to tired, water to thirsty and food to hungry should always be given without any hesitation.
Allow me to clear another doubt. Someone asked me, “I heard we should not donate things related to strong planets in our birth chart. Is it true?” No, it’s not true. Your planets won’t become weak by donating. Life never remains the same. We see rise and fall, ups and downs. When you are in a good position, donate. Help the needy, people and animals. Don’t look for an appropriate time or place, don’t consult an astrologer for what to donate, just donate what you can. Those who donate and help others regularly have better life during adverse situations in life.
An important rule regarding donation:
अनादरो विलम्बश्च वै मुख्यं निष्ठुरं वचः ।
पश्चात्तापश्च पञ्चापि दानस्य दूषणानि च ॥
Giving after insult, delay in giving, turning away your face while giving, speaking abusing or harsh words while giving, and repenting after giving are the acts that pollute your donation. Also, according to Parashar Smriti, donating upon asking is ‘Adham’.
Selfless donation is the best way to give. Donate without asking for yourself anything in return. When you donate food to people nearby temples, don’t think you are improving any planet in your birth chart, because you have a motive behind that donation. Although it is a donation, but not an auspicious one.
Many astrologers suggest to feed particular items to a particular animal on a particular day, and people do it as a religious point of view, but why to wait for a Tuesday or Sunday to feed anyone or to help anyone? Don’t think of anything in return by feeding an animal or by helping anyone in any way. Feed and donate on any day as per your capacity.
Donation doesn’t have a particular recipient. Donate to charities doing good work, donate to institutions working for the needy, donate to someone you know who needs assistance.
Donation given for getting the benefit is Rajas Daan, the donation given selflessly to needy without expecting anything in return is Satvik Daan and Satvik is the auspicious and highest form of donation. When you are doing well in life, donate. When the situation is adverse, try to donate if you can.
