Types of Charity : Satvik, Rajasik and Tamasik

While writing the previous post about charity, I remembered that like the 3 classifications for food, Vedic literature also classifies 'charity' into 3 classes. I asked my father and he immediately recited the Sanskrit shlokams (verses) for me and explained their meaning. They can be found in the 17th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.

datavyam iti yad danam
diyate 'nupakarine
dese kale ca patre ca
tad danam sattvikam smrtam
( Charity given to a deserving person, at the proper time and place, without expectations of any return is considered to be Satvik (virtuous) form of charity).

yat tu pratyupakarartham
phalam uddisya va punah
diyate ca pariklistam
tad danam rajasam smrtam
( Charity performed with the expectation of some return, or the desire for some results, or charity done begrudgingly or for pomp and show is considered to be Rajasik (materialistic/egotistic) form of charity).

adesa-kale yad danam
apatrebhyas ca diyate
asat-krtam avajnatam
tat tamasam udahrtam
( Charity performed at an improper place or time and given to unworthy persons, or charity given without respect or with contempt is considered to be Tamasic (ignorance/darkness) form of charity. Charity that promotes indulgences in intoxication and gambling fall in this category).

Kayena Vacha - An offering to the divine

Kayena vacha manasendriyairva
Buddhyatmana va prakrite swabhavath
Karoomi yadyad sakalam parasmai
Narayanayeti samarpayami


Whatever I do for others with my physical being, through words, thought, senses, intellect, heart, soul and innate tendencies, I offer everything to the divine. 

Meaning of Gayatri Mantra

Hinduism is very deeply rooted in nature. The most sacred Gayatri Mantram is an astounding wake up call to each one of us to meditate everyday on the wonder and splendor of nature. Only the understanding of nature can truly enlighten us.

Earth, sky and waters ..

“OM BUHR, BHUVA, SWAHA
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI
DHIYO YONAHA PRACHODAYAT”

Oh earth, sky and the waters  (ie the 3 worlds bhuh, bhuvaha, suvaha)
That glorious radiating light of the sun 
We meditate upon the splendor of the divine
May this illuminate us with an understanding of reality.  

Mantra Pushpam - the primeval Vedic mantra

Hinduism is deeply rooted in nature. Mantra Pushpam is a beautiful Veda mantra that ponders on the wonders of nature and the inter relationship between all elements in nature. Click here for the deeper meaning of this mantra. Click here for the meaning of Gayatri Mantra.

Hinduism worships nature in its myriad forms

Yopam puspam veda
Puspavan prajavan pasuvan bhavati
Chandramava Apam puspam
Puspavan, Prajavan pasuman bhavati
Ya Evam Veda
Yopa mayatanam Veda
Ayatanam bhavati.

(He who understands the flowers of water,
He is blessed with flowers, children and cattle.
Moon is the flower of the water,
He who knows it to be so,
He is blessed with flowers, children and cattle.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in his Self.)

Agnirva Apamayatanam
Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yo agnerayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati
Apovagner ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ya Evam Veda
Yopa mayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati.

(Fire is the source of water,
He who knows the source of Fire,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of fire,
He who knows it to be so,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in his Self.)

Vayurva Apamaya tanam
Ayatanavan bhavati.
Yova Yorayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati|
Apovai va yorayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati.
Ya Evam veda
Yopamayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan Bhavati.

(Air is the source of water,
He who knows the source of Air,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of air,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in his Self.)

Asowvai tapanna pamayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Yo musya tapata Ayatanan Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati
Apova Amusyatapata Ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ya Evam Veda
Yopa mayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati

(Scorching sun is the source of water,
He who knows the source of the Scorching Sun,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of scorching sun,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in his Self.)

Chandrama Vama pamayatnam
Ayatanavan bhavati.
Yascandra masa Ayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati
Apovai Candra masa Ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ya Evam Veda
Yo pamayatanam veda
Ayatanavan bhavati.

(Moon is the source of water,
He who knows the source of Moon,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of moon,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in his Self.)

Nakshtrani va Apamayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Yo Nakshtrana mayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati
Apovai Nakshtrana mayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ye evam Veda
Yopamaya tanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati.

(Stars are the source of water,
He who knows the source of the Stars,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of stars,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself.)

Parjanyova apamayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Yah parjanyasya syayatinam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati
Apovai parjanya Syayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ye Evam veda
Yopa maya tanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati.

(Clouds are the source of water,
He who knows the source of the Clouds,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of clouds,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in his Self.)

Samvastaro Va Apamayatanam
Ayatavan bhavati
Yassavatsa rasyaya tanam Veda
Ayatavan bhavati.
Apovai samvasara ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ya Evam veda
Yopsu Navam pratistitam veda
Pratyeva tistati.

(Rainy season is the source of water,
He who knows the source of Rainy Season,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of rainy season,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows that there is a raft available,
Becomes established in that raft.)