Nijavrutyudyampraptadhanadhanyaditascha Taiha |
Arpyo Dashanshaha Krushnaya Vinshonashastivaha Durbalauha ||147||
From their earnings or their source of livelihood (Vruti), money or food grains (Dhan - Dhaanya) which has been obtained through work or business (Udhyam), should be donated to Shree Krishna according to their income (a tenth of their earnings if affordable or a twentieth).
Dhan should be understood as money, land etc and Dhaanya as grains of rice, cotton etc. Shatanand explains that donation of one’s tenth or twentieth part of earnings literally means going to the temple one’s Ishtadeva (which you are comfortable with) and offering your wealth to Shree Krishna therein.
Shatanand clarifies that Durbala here is those who have greater costs in relation with their earnings. (E.g. In some places the cost of living may be quite high and the earnings of people may be minimal.) Therefore these people should in such circumstance donate a twentieth of their earnings. Shatanand Muni states clearly that donation of such wealth is for the purification of one’s earnings and wealth.
Shrimad Bhagwat says, ‘All who desire peace, well being and innumerable fruits of action (Punya) should donate.’ Yagnavalkya explains Daan or donation as the very livelihood of man: ‘To perform Yagnas, understand the Vedas and to donate are the livelihoods of Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. Brahmins should aid in performing Yagnas, teaching the Vedas and advising upon donations. A Kshatriyas foremost duty is to maintain and protect his subjects. Similarly a Vaishya should farm, lend, buy, sell and maintain animals. Shudras should serve the Dwijas (upper three classes - the twice born). Those Shudras unable to maintain a living through such service should also work for a living by learning a new craft or buying and selling.’
Deval Smruti further explains the duties of a Shudra: ‘A Shudra’s duties are serving the Dwijas, refraining from sinful acts, growing grains, maintaining animals, lifting or carrying things, selling, drawing or other art work, dancing, singing or playing musical instruments (flute, Mrudanga etc) - they should live off such disciplines.’
Shreemad Bhagwat explains, ‘Through time, land becomes purified. Similarly through bathing, the body; Sanskars, the feotus; penance, the senses; Yagnas, the mind; donation, ones wealth; and through study the soul is purified.’ Danakhanda explains, ‘One should give charity to those who are worthy.’ However the greatest beneficiary is none other than Lord Shree Krishna. Narad in Bhagwat has therefore said, ‘The greatest of beneficiaries is God himself, O King! Decided by the wise, this Shree Krishna should be worshipped first and foremost in this Rajasuyagna (initiation of a King ceremony), whom through his omnipresence exists throughout this universe.’
Hemadri explains, ‘One’s earnings should be split into five parts. Three parts of which should be used for livelihood and two parts for Dharma (religion, donation etc).’ Mahabharat explains, ‘Somebody with ten cows should give away one cow. Similarly those with a hundred cows should give ten and those with a thousand cows should give one hundred cows. The fruits of each are the same.’ Therefore it is not a case of quantity given but what proportion is given.
Parashar explains, ‘A king should be given one-sixth, God one-twentieth and Brahmins one-thirty-third of one’s income. By so doing one does not incur sin.’ Those that do not donate in this way in order to purify their wealth are considered as senseless fools with little intellect. As a result their Dharma, Bhakti and Gnaan are all reduced to nothingness and great pains befall them, says Shatanand.
Although Lord Swaminarayan wrote that a tenth or twentieth should be donated, other Rishis have written differently: Deval has explained, ‘A quarter should be donated, a quater saved and half used for daily expenditure needs.’ Mokshadharma explains, ‘Earnings should be split six ways. One part donated, one part saved, one part offered to God and the rest used for daily expenditure.’ Angira says, ‘God’s share should always be taken out first and foremost, even if one may experience financial difficulty.’
None should take the attitude that they will donate some time in the future. They should always donate with love and dedication. It is not how much you donate but with what love you donate with, which is of importance. They should feel that it is their duty to donate and repay God the great debt that is owed. God has given infinitely and only a fool cannot see this and feel that he has nothing to repay God.
One should never donate with an ego in order to make them more popular. Nor should they donate with any expectation. By giving a tenth to God we should in real terms feel that God has given us ninety percent and kept ten percent for himself. More broadly a tenth of everything you do should be donated either to God or to those that are less fortunate than ourselves, as compassion for others is a great duty. Therefore ten percent of our Vrata, Japa, Tapa, Yoga etc should be offered.