Datavyam Iti Yat Danam = donation that is given knowing it to be a duty
Deshe Kale Cha Patre = in a proper place, time and to a worthy person
Anupakarine Diyate = to one who does no service in return
Tat danam Sattvikam Smrutam = that type of donation is called as Sattvik
The word 'Datavyam' means that ought to be given. The meaning of the word includes the sense of duty and the feeling that I am helping myself. Money should be given for a noble purpose and also at a proper time. It can be harmful if not given at a proper time. Abundant money collected at a wrong time can create havoc. Money should be given to a person who can be inspired to pay it forward.
There is an incident in Vinobaji's life. If some beggar came to his house, his mother would give him fresh food and keep the stale one for themselves. Vinobaji pointed it as wrong because according to Bhagawad Gita donation should be given to a worthy person. His mother replied, "I am not well-read and learned as you are. I see God in everyone who comes to my door. You are free to decide whether he is worthy or not." This is a great example showing how much developed a common person can be! One should not analyze a lot while giving small things.
Swami Akhandanand says, "God is the worthiest of all. The place and time is the best if donation is given by remembering God and with the feeling that I am giving Him the same whatever I have received from Him. The best thing is that the donation should be given without expecting anything in return.
Jnaneshwar Maharaj has given his special contribution in this context.
According to him, Money-that is to be donated-should be earned by hard-work and justice. Money stolen from one person should not be donated to the other. Such money may be utilized for noble cause, but cannot achieve its true motive.
Donation should be given with a proper respect for the receiver. Jnaneshwar maharaj tells that the donor should have a feeling that he is giving as if he is returning some debt. A donor should offer everything including money and mind. Offering mind is not so easy. Offering mind means having a feeling that the receiver is my own kith and kin and I am returning his debt by donating him something.
Swami Ramsukhadas says, "Everybody is my own for the sake of giving, but nobody - not even God - is mine for the sake of receiving. One should not expect anything from God, but has to offer him everything. Everything belongs to Him and whatever is taken from Him has to be returned him back. At the end, one has to offer himself to God. This is called as Atmanivedana or complete surrender.
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