Gyaneshwari -Sant Gyaneshwar
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Chapter-17
Three Kinds of Faith
20. Alms given with the idea that it ought to be given to one who cannot return the favour, at the right place and time and to a deserving person – that charity is known to be of sattvic quality. He gives with due regard something in charity, out of the income earned by him, by performing his duty. Sometimes if good seed is available, there is a dearth of good soil and water, similar is the case in regard to charity also. If a precious stone comes to hand, one is in want of gold for making a socket for it, and if both are available, a beautiful body to wear that ornament is lacking. Only good luck brings together a festive occasion, the visits of dear ones and wealth. In the same way, when the sattva quality comes to help charity, there assemble automatically suitable place and time, wealth and a person fit to receive the gift (266-270). In order to make suitable charities, one should repair to Kurukshetra, Kashi or similar holy place. In that sacred place, one should choose an auspicious occasion, such as an eclipse of the sun or the moon. At such a time and place, one should select a deserving person, who is purity incarnate. One should contact a worthy Brahmin, who is the abode of good qualities and the dwelling place of the Vedas and give him gifts of money, by surrendering one’s rights in it. Just as a wife surrenders her person to her dear husband with modesty (271-275), or one returns the deposit kept with him in trust to the depositor and becomes free from his obligation, or a page offers humbly a roll of betel leaves to the king, so he should give in charity land etc. |
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