Me : Aaah! That is one problem I have. I am not comfortable with expensive gifts. I am perfect with hand-me-downs, even stuffs they have been using for ages. I am okay with those. But... anything costing more than Rs.1000.....Something doesn't just go well with me.
He {The look}:
Me {rolling my eyes now}: Okay! Fine! Including conversion rates... 2000 Indian monies.
He {now exasperated}: Whats your problem Girl??? If someone is willing to spend, you just smile & accept it!
This conversation transpired last night. In the morning, when I opened the book to read, this is what I bumped into!!!
dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate ‘nupakāriṇe
deśhe kāle cha pātre cha tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛitam (Bhagavad Gita 17:20)
Charity which is given without consideration of anything in return, at a sanctified and holy place and at an astrologically auspicious time, given as a matter of duty to one qualified, given to a worthy person simply because it is right to give, that charity is regarded as of the nature of goodness.
So... If the person gifting can convince me on these points. Yes! I have my hands stretched out, palms open to receive & head bowed down with gratitude. But.... If it falls under any one of the other two categories....... Thihahahahahahahahahaha
yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ phalam uddiśhya vā punaḥ
dīyate cha parikliṣhṭaṁ tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛitam (Bhagavad Gita 17:21)
Charity which is given with expectation of some return or desiring some result, with the hope of a return or in expectation of a reward, moreover with reluctance is understood as of the nature of passion.
adeśha-kāle yad dānam apātrebhyaśh cha dīyate
asat-kṛitam avajñātaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛitam (Bhagavad Gita 17:22)
That charity which is given disrespectfully and scornfully at an inappropriate place and time, to one who is unworthy is described as the nature or nescience.
Picture Courtesy : www.huffingtonpost.com
Picture Courtesy : www.huffingtonpost.com
