Miscellaneous - Religion   

Act without motive

CHENNAI: The tradition of offering food to the hungry has been intrinsic to Vedic culture. For householders it is their bounden duty to feed those who depend on them like celibates (Brahmachari) who must devote themselves only to study, monks and guests first before they eat. Feeding the poor during auspicious occasions and pilgrims in sacred abodes is considered meritorious. Charity by householders was thus envisaged as a social support system which provided for one and all without discrimination as far as food was concerned.

In his discourse, Swami Gautamananda said while doing charity one should not be concerned too much about whether it was utilised only by the deserving. This insight was given by Sarada Devi to Sri Ramakrishna’s disciples when they looked up to her for guidance after the Master’s passing away. They were leading a frugal, austere life, and in those early days before the Math was established, their day-to-day needs were taken care of by devotees. Once there was a discussion among them about how when food was served all lined up to eat and it was not possible to find out who really deserved to be fed. She immediately replied that one should not discriminate when it came to offering food and anyone who begged for food had to be fed. One can only offer food with the good intention that it should benefit the needy, but how is it possible to turn away a hungry person?

Lord Krishna’s declaration in the Bhagavad Gita, “Your right is to work only but never to the fruit thereof. Be not instrumental in making your actions bear fruit, nor let your attachment be to inaction,” is applicable to acts of charity also, which the majority of people do with the motive of gaining merit (Punya). While charity is certainly meritorious which every individual must do according to his capacity, a spiritual seeker must do charity without any motive (not for accruing Punya). This reorientation in outlook while doing any action is the basis of Karma yoga which liberates the practitioner as his action will not result in fresh Karma, which is the cause of bondage. The Lord has advised that one must act with a sense of duty and not with the ulterior motive for the result.

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