Day: June 7, 2025

Swami ji said…

” हम दूसरों को कुछ भी देने में इतना घबराते क्यों हैं ? चाहे वह कोई वस्तु हो, प्रेम हो, या मान-सम्मान…” And, we , wouldn’t be too surprised to realise that we were, apparently, born with this trait. In fact, it might not be very difficult for us to recall the copious tears that would flow from our eyes – on seeing another baby take our most coveted toy, or, to be honest, anything at all from us. The fear of losing what belonged to ‘me’ … ‘ यह मेरा है …’ and to see it being taken away by someone else — even if it was merely for a minute or two — was enough to make us weep our heart out. We would be at peace only after getting it back from the ‘offender’ and finally hold it in our hands once again. That is how difficult we have always found it to ‘give’ or ‘share’ with others – anything – that belonged to us. We could blame it on the possessive streak that all of us have, or , it could be because we are small-hearted. The thought of ‘giving’ makes us feel that, “अगर मैंने उसे अपनी कोई चीज़ दे दी, तो मेरा क्या होगा…” and imaginary images of facing a shortage and scarcity of those very things make us behave in a stingy manner. But, on the other hand, we are always ready to ‘take’ from others and, at times, might show no inhibitions in demanding — respect, acceptance, assistance, and love from them.

” किसी को कुछ भी देने के समय हमारे दिल में इतनी उथल-पुथल क्यों होती है?” Why is it that we are filled with misgivings, doubts and our mind swings like a pendulum – oscillating between thoughts — “If I give him the monetary loan that he is asking for, how can I be sure that he’ll return it to me?” “Why should I show any affection or love for him when he has always treated me with indifference?” “Why should I treat him respectfully when all that I’ve received from him is disdain and contempt?” All these doubt-filled, mischief creating thoughts – cloud our mind and fill us with selfishness, and we begin to think of our personal growth and interest, which makes us say, “Why should ‘I’?” “Should I ‘give’ or not?” And thinking on such narrow lines — “हम अपनी छोटी सोच के बाहर आ ही नहीं पाते हैं…”

In that moment of dilemma, what seems to slip from our mind completely is that rather than being thankful to God – for making us reach a position – that makes it possible for us to help someone, support someone ; when we are able to ‘give’ someone, something that is needed by them, in which ever form – we still have the gall to mull over – “मैं कुछ अच्छा करूँ या न करूँ ? उस की मदद करूँ या नहीं ? उनका सम्मान करूँ या नहीं ?”

What we seem to forget completely is that God, on seeing us do ‘ नेक कर्म’, endorses our act and gives us manifold in abundance — ” हमारी झोली उसी चीज़ से भर देते हैं…” – with that very thing that we give to others. If we decide that we want to spread joy and make others happy – wherever we go – we will always find our lives filled with happiness and laughter. What will we gain by clinging on to happiness all by ourselves – without sharing it with others ? Can happiness be enjoyed that way ? Wish good for everyone and see how good things keep happening for us. The more we give, the more we get. But that should not make us ‘give’ with vested interest. We shouldn’t be telling ourselves, “Let me ‘show’ that person some respect. It will be of some use to me later.” Similarly, love begets love. Love all, irrespective of whether you stand to gain something from them or not. People will love you unconditionallyand can there be a better reward from God than that.

Is a ‘saccha sant’ frugal or miserly while imparting ‘gyaan’ to His devotees? He ‘gives’ to each devotee of His – what he is meant to receive in this lifetime – without expecting anything from him. But , even then, doesn’t the ‘guru’ get unflinching loyalty, pure love, and respect from His devotees?

The spiritual seeker must learn to ‘give’. This is much easier said than done – for our fear of ‘loss’ holds us back. But this can be overcome with empathy. When in doubt, think about why someone might benefit from being given your materials or even your effort and time. Put yourself in their shoes, and, try to understand how your giving someone something – might ease their fears or troubles. One must make this a practice, and surely enough, you will be moved to ‘give’. You will yearn to ‘give’ to those who are ‘in need’.

We must realize that to be able to ‘give’ in itself is an opportunity given to us by God – to achieve a sense of fulfillment. ‘Giving’ is God’s work. Those who ‘give’ to ‘show’ others and want to be seen as magnanimous – do not realize that the true gift they have received – is being able to participate in God’s work. When one ‘gives’, one must never expect anything in return, neither from the recipient nor from God. The fact that they have performed a near divine action, which is excellent ‘karma’, is in itself a reward.