|
Man is by nature possessive. Unless he overcomes the possessive nature, his journey towards God or Self or Atman or Perfection will not commence. Therefore, we are expected to learn to give, give and give what we earn and possess to the needy people around. And that is DANA or charity. Its ultimate aim is to erase ego. But unfortunately sometimes charity instead of annihilating, enhances it thereby binding us to the subtle possession of fame and name. And we may give in charity what is not useful to others defeating the very purpose of DANA.
Nachiketa's father made charity of cows. But they are all barren or sickly useless for any purpose. This type of charity is tamasic DANA which is giving for the sake giving, only to fulfil the letter of Dana, not the spirit of Dana.
There are others like Yudhishthira making charity in which needy ones are given what is required without any hesitation. The articles given in charity also are of best quality. But there is pomp and show, publicity and propaganda while giving. It is accompanied with self esteem and egotism. And that is rajasic DANA.
Ego pollutes charity. Vanity vitiates divinity. With self-denial and with unselfish love for the needy if we make the charity it will be noble and exemplary. At the cost of their very lives, a poor Brahmin and his family members gave food to a hungry guest. The squirrel that arrived there, came in contact with the holy floor and got its body transformed into gold because of the unique charity or sacrifice that the family had made. And it is Satwic DANA.
The same squirrel could not have its remaining body turned into Gold at the place of Rajasic DANA in the palace of Yudhishthira.
Tamasic DANA is no DANA at all.
| 
