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Chapter 17
Tattamasamudahrtam:- Such a gift is declared to be tamasika.
Question:- In the Gita it is mentioned, that the tamasika people, go downwards (i.e., into the wombs, of insects, birds and beasts - or into infernal regions) (14/18), while in the Ramacaritamanasa it is mentioned, that charity (gift) given in anyway leads to the good. Thus, the two statements seem to be contradictory.
Answer:-Tamasika people go downwards, but this rule is - not applicable for gifts, because when a person makes a gift, he has to renounce his affinity for the gift. It is because of this renunciation, that even tamasika charity, is not conducive to hurl one to downward regions. So, a gift has been eulogized, in 8timadbh8gavata[1], in Manusmrti[2] and also in Ramacaritamanasa[3]. The reason, is that a person who has even little renunciation, cannot have a downfall.
Secondly, in this Kali age, when the hearts of people have become very impure, a concession has been granted by the Lord, that charity (gift) given in any form, leads a man to the good.
By making gifts, a man develops this trait, in his nature and that trait, will lead him to the good. So a gift should be made even without respect. So a saint has interpreted the expression 'Sraddhya deyamairaddhayadeyam; that a gift should be offered with reverence, but it should be offered even, if there is no reverence.
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