Charity is one of the pillars of Sanatan-Dharma and thus it’s important to be charitable.

Give your money away in charity before you go, otherwise you worked hard for nothing.

One truth about life that everyone agrees with is that we cannot live forever in this same body.  Our bodies will die.

“One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 2.27)

Another truth is that we cannot take our material possessions with us at death. Thus we cannot take our money, properties, cars etc.. So we can leave them behind at death or distribute them before we die. If we give our possessions away before we die in charity, we will benefit in the next life (next body). If you don’t donate your money while you are alive, you simply worked hard and saved for nothing.

Leaving the money to your children is ok, but it will not benefit you and you will never come across your children again. At death, all your family members are as good as complete strangers. The relationship between the deceased person and the family members is completely cut at death. So it is very important to donate your money while you are alive, so you benefit in the next life.

Have you ever wondered why some are born in riches and some in poverty? Those who are charitable will be born in rich families and those who are not charitable will be born in poverty. 

Give your hard earned money to genuine organizations. Many organizations including temples are bogus, because they misuse donations and they do not elevate people with higher consciousness. Many gurus are simply self-centered, they will collect money and waste it on living a luxury lifestyle.

“Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person is considered to be in the mode of goodness. But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood is said to be charity in the mode of passion. And charity performed at an impure place, at an improper time, to unworthy persons, or without proper attention and respect is said to be in the mode of ignorance.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 17.20-23)

Giving food, clothing, and medicines to the poor is very good. But giving money should be very carefully considered, because people will misuse the money or cheat by asking for money even though they have money and/or properties.

What is the Best Charity?

The giving or distribution of spiritual knowledge is the best charity.

To help people become free from the cycle of birth, old age, disease, misery, poverty, and death. One needs to give spiritual knowledge. 

“For one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees, devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.68-69)

“One who liberally imparts these instructions to My devotees is the bestower of the Absolute Truth, and to him I give My very self. (Lord Krishna, Uddhava Gita 23.26, Chapter titled ‘Bhakti-Yoga’)

The highest service unto Lord Krishna is the distribution of the Bhagavad-Gita and Shrimad-Bhagavatam knowledge. This is because, if people study and follow the teachings of these scriptures, then they will go back to the spiritual world at the end of this life or very soon. Lord Krishna does not want anyone to suffer, He wants all souls to be with Him in the spiritual world. Thus, those who take part in the mission to deliver the souls back to the spiritual world, are most dear to Lord Krishna.

How you can take part in distributing knowledge?

  • Donate money to genuine organizations who have a track record of distributing knowledge around the world.
  • Go on book distribution on the streets.
  • Distribute knowledge online via social media.

Questions to ask yourself?

What are you doing which benefits others?

What are you doing to help cows?

What are you doing to promote religion and righteousness?

What are you doing to save trees?

What are you doing to make this world a better place to live for humans, animals, and trees?

Helping others is Bhakti

To follow the instructions of Lord Krishna is called bhakti.

“Those who are beyond the dualities that arise from doubts, whose minds are engaged within, who are always busy working for the welfare of all living beings and who are free from all sins achieve liberation in the Supreme.”  (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 5,25)

“One who has taken his birth as a human being in the land of Bharata [India] should make his life successful and work for the benefit of all other people.”  (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-Lila 9.41)

 “It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words.” (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-Lila 9.42)