Attitude of Giving - Vedic Framework

 

In modern days, what do we think? We think, "I am the rich person, I am the giver, and that poor person is the receiver." We feel proud. We think we are doing a big favour to society.

But actually, what if we say that giving is mostly just "Ego Pacification"?

Often, we give or help others just to convince ourselves that we are great people. We are not helping them; we are just feeding our own image of being 'good'. We want to pacify ourselves by thinking, "See, I am useful, I am noble."

But if you read our Vedas and Upanishads, the logic is totally reverse! In Vedic culture, the person who is giving is not doing a favour. The person who is taking is doing the favour. Let us understand why.

1. Taking is The Science of Karma Transfer: Be Careful What You Take!

In the olden days, Rishis and Brahmins were very scared to accept gifts. They used to think ten times before taking even one rupee or a banana from anyone. Why?

Because of the concept of Pratigraha (receiving).

Our elders say that money or objects are not just dead matter. They carry the energy (vibration) of the person who earned it.

• Money: If a person earned money by cheating or doing bad things (Paapa Karma), that sin is attached to the money. When you accept it, you take a share of their bad karma.

• Food & Emotions: This rule applies strongly to food. The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 3, Verse 13) gives a clear warning about this:

  yajna-shishtashinah santo muchyante sarva-kilbishaih bhunjate te tv agham papa ye pachanty atma-karanat

  Meaning: The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin.

  Why is this so? Because emotions are transferred through food.

  • If the person cooking is angry or jealous, those subtle vibrations enter the food.

  • When you eat that food, you are not just eating rice or dal; you are consuming their anger and stress.

So, when a beggar or a Brahmin accepts charity (food or money) from you, he is actually becoming a "spiritual dustbin" for your bad karma. He is taking your burden. So, tell me, who is helping whom? You are becoming lighter, and he is taking the load. That is why giving is a privilege. You should thank the receiver for giving you a chance to clean your karma. 

Even now according to framework brahmin who accepts charity is supposed to purify himself in various ways to mitigate risk. Practically this might not be followed but we talking about how the framework is defined.

2. The Trap of "I Am a Good Person" (Sattvika Ahankara)

Now comes the tricky part. We all know arrogance is bad. But there is a special type of arrogance called Sattvika Ahankara (Ego of Goodness).

This is very dangerous because it looks like a good thing. It is the feeling: "I am so generous. I help everyone. I am a great donor." Our Shastras say this is like a Golden Chain. An iron chain binds you, and a gold chain also binds you. As long as you have the feeling "I am the doer" (Kartabhav), you are stuck.

The Story of King Bali and the Little Boy

Best example is the story of King Mahabali. He was a very great king, very generous. But slowly, this Sattvika Ahankara entered his head. He started thinking he is the owner of the universe.

When Lord Vishnu came as Vamana (a small kid), notice the conversation:

• Vamana: "I want only three steps of land."

• Bali: (Laughing) "You are a small kid! Ask for something big! I can give you islands, gold, elephants! I can give anything!"

See the tone? That is Ahankara. He should have just said, "Okay beta, take what you need." Instead, he showed off his power. That is why Vamana kept his third foot on Bali’s head. It was not to punish him, but to crush that ego. He removed the "I" from Bali’s head.

The Story of Karna: trapped by Goodness

We all love Karna. He is called Dana-Vira (Hero of Charity). But even Karna suffered from this Sattvika Ahankara. He had a reputation: "Karna never says No."

When Lord Indra came disguised to ask for his Kavacha and Kundala (armour), Karna knew it was a trick. He knew it was dangerous for his life. But his attachment to his image—"I am the Giver"—was so strong that he couldn't say no. His ego of being a "Great Giver" prevented him from using his discrimination (Viveka). He gave away his protection because he wanted to maintain his reputation more than he wanted to do the right strategic action.

3. Thinking about Help as “Help Given” will burn your merit earned!

This rule applies to simple Helping (Seva) also, not just money.

Many times, we help a friend, a relative, or a stranger. Then, deep inside, we wait. What are we waiting for? We are waiting for appreciation. We want them to say "Thank You." If they don't, we feel insulted. Or we tell ten other people, "I helped him so much when he was in trouble."

The Danger: Our scriptures warn us: The moment you think "I helped him," your positive karma is instantly nullified (cancelled).

The merit (Punya) of a good deed is very delicate. It cannot survive the heat of your Ego. If you feel proud of helping, the spiritual account balance for that deed becomes Zero. You lose the benefit.

The Right Attitude: Never feel proud that you helped someone. Instead, feel Blessed. Think like this: "God had a plan to help this person. He could have chosen anyone in the world. But He chose me as the instrument. He gave me the opportunity to be useful."

4. The Safe Route: Practically how can we avoid this Silent Ego

Because it is so difficult to give without ego, our ancestors made a system: Give to the Temple (Hundi).

Why?

1. Direct to God: When you put money in the Hundi, you are not giving to a person. You are giving to God (Samarpan). You cannot have ego with God because God owns everything anyway!

2. The Filter: God acts like a filter. He takes your offering, removes the paapa (sin), and then the temple distributes food or clothes as Prasadam.

3. No Debt: When a poor person eats temple food, they are eating God’s gift, not your gift. They don't feel small or indebted to you.

5. Modern Science Agrees!

Even modern psychology agrees with our Vedas!

• Indebtedness Theory: Scientists say that when people receive help, they often feel a "psychological debt" or burden. They feel heavy. This matches our concept of Rina.

• Helper's High: Psychologists say giving releases dopamine (pleasure chemicals). If you give just to feel this "high," it is selfish. That is exactly what Sattvika Ahankara is!

6. Attitude while giving

So, how should we give? The Taittiriya Upanishad gives us a strict checklist. It is beautiful:

• Shraddhaya Deyam: Give with faith.

• Shriya Deyam: Give according to your capacity (don't be stingy).

• Hriya Deyam: Give with Shame/Modesty. (Think: "Oh God, you gave me so much, and I am giving only this little bit.")

• Bhiya Deyam: Give with Fear. (Fear that: "I should not insult the receiver. I should not have ego.")

So next time you give 10 rupees to someone, don't puff your chest. Do Namaste, bow down, and say thank you to them for taking your karma away.