Charity: Do and forget

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Yogi Ashwini [1]

Charity, one of the five yamas (must-dos) in the eight-fold path of yoga, forms an important part of the protocol of sadhana.
Charity is considered to be a purifying act. But to make it a purifying act we need to understand a few things about charity, some of which I discussed in my last column (By charity we rise, Dec. 22). Here a few more.
If you are bestowed with fortunes, blessings and the capacity to share, then you should just give. And you should do it without any doubt or question in your mind — as to what use it will be put to, or whether this person is worthy of it or not. There should not be any judgment attached to that act. The person to whom you do charity and what that person does with it is not your business. In the Gita, Lord Krishna says that “judgment lies only in my hands.” What lies in our hands is karma, or action. In order to judge another human, you ought to be perfect first. And we know that only the Divine is perfect, no one else.
People want to do charity where they are certain about its use. But how do you know what would be its use? It’s a state of mind. When you judge, it means that your state of mind is interfering with your act of charity; you are merely doing something to your own satisfaction. Charity should be free of judgment and attachments. If we think we have done a good act by giving something to someone, that indicates our attachment with the act. If you feel good, happy and satisfied after any charitable action that means that the action was done for your own self. This is attachment. Charity should be done and forgotten.
Now the question arises, does charity need always be in monetary terms? Charity need not be done with money; charity can be kind words; can be helping someone; can be teaching, or blessing someone. It can even be something as simple as a smile if someone needs it at that moment, without expecting anything in return. It can be any act of help to someone without directly benefiting from it. Your call is only to act — to do your karma, without expecting any fruits.
In the Mahabharata there is a very beautiful depiction of the act of charity, which will elucidate this concept. Lord
Indra dressed as a Brahmin appeared before Karna to ask for his divine armour. Karna knew that it was Lord Indra, and the purpose behind Indra seeking his armour was a well-thought-out plan to take his life. But since Indra came with both his hands stretched out, asking for something, Karna just gave it, not bothering about its use or purpose. That is charity.

Yogi Ashwini is an authority on yoga, tantra and the Vedic sciences. The guiding light of Dhyan Foundation, he has recently written a book, Sanatan Kriya: 51 Miracles... And a Haunting. Contact him at dhyan@dhyanfoundation.com