Indian tradition considers charity (dhana) as a supreme virtue. It is help offered to a person while expecting nothing in return. It is a moral and ethical act of great importance. It is believed in Hinduism that charity can give us redemption from sinful acts. Both Puranas and Smritis extol charity. According to Indian scriptures, dhana is of four kinds: ‘Nityadhana’ is rendered daily for the contentment of the donor; ‘Kamyadhana’ is done in expectation of rewards; ‘Vimaladhana’ is offered to please God; and ‘Nimithikadhana’ brings redemption from one’s sins.
One among five pillars in Islam is to give a specific amount of income in charity. Especially when the Muslim community observes the month of Ramzan, it is said that helping the needy with charitable acts is even more meritorious. The Jain religion is too well known for its teachings on charity. I The rest should be given should be given away in charity.
In Sikhism, we have the wonderful practice of langar, according to which, everyone, regardless of one’s religion, caste, gender or social status, can go to the gurudwara and have a stomach full of food for free which is provided for by the donations of the devotees. The Bible is full of teachings on giving and Jesus often spoke about giving generously.
For Hindus, dhana is an important part of one’s dharma (religious duty). Dharma has a wide variety of meanings such as eternal law, duty, conduct, behaviour, morality and righteousness. The wealth a person acquires is not for him/herself but for the welfare of the extended family and others. One has a responsibility towards those members of one’s family who cannot maintain themselves. In some circumstances an individual may have no option but to give up or compromise his/her personal goals for the sake of the family.Among all worldly objects, money is perhaps extremely valued by almost every man.
It is his tendency to try his utmost to accumulate wealth and he then buys comforts and pleasures with the money so obtained. He also experiences a sense of pleasure on having amassed wealth. But if by misfortune, he is deprived of it he feels an inexplicable agony for having lost it. Sages say one can donate cows, land, sesame seeds, gold, silver, cloth, salt, etc. to the needy. However, the most favoured objects of donation are food, clothes and water. The fact that token donation was not approved of or appreciated by our forefathers adds to the meaning and worth of these practices.
The noblest act is giving food. This is because the person who gets the charity feels totally satisfied at least for a while. As per our Puranas, ‘Annadhana’ (donation of food) is far nobler than donating thousand elephants, one crore cows, gold or land. The donor of food derives never-ending comforts. Yagnavalkya Smriti exhorts us to perform donation daily, with devotion.
Sages and saints who have placed before man several methods to reform themselves have based the same on their previous lives deeds. These steps of compensation include chanting certain mantras, religious rites, worship and charity. Among them the last has been given priority. Hinduism has given a primary position to personal ethics. And the Upanishads clearly indicate that each person is responsible for his economic or social condition. If individuals are moral and perfect and economically safe, society will ultimately be perfect.