Charity!


Pāndavās left for Pāncala kingdom & as they were crossing river Gangā, they met Angāraparna, king of Gandharvas who stopped them from going any further considering them as intruders. Arjun confronted him & in reply to his shower of arrows released Agneya weapon which burnt his air borne chariot to ashes. As he tumbled to ground, Arjun caught him & forcibly dragged him towards his brothers. Wife of Gandharva King took Yudhisthira's shelter & begged for her husband release


Yudhisthira mercifully ordered Arjun to not kill enemy as he's already defeated. Arjun released the king & feeling indebted, he wished to repay favor by teaching Cāksusi, Gandharva art of illusion to all 5 brothers. Arjun said-I don’t want to take anything in exchange for your release as I don’t accept charity from others. Gandharva said-I feel fortunate to meet such an exalted personality & for this reason offer you gift. If you think that exchange shouldn’t be one-sided then I’m happy to accept your Agneya weapon in return. Arjun agreed


Arjun asked Gandharva about how hostility between Viswāmitra & Vashishtha arose. He replied:


King Viswāmitra was once hunting in forest. Tired, he came to sage Vashishtha āshram & due to sage’s celestial Kāmdhenu cow Nandini, he & his entourage were given wonderful reception. Thereafter King tried to acquire cow by giving vast wealth in return, but sage refused as she was essential for his performance of sacrifices. King mistakenly thought that Brahmanās were peace loving people & lack prowess. Thus deluded, he decided to carry away cow by force


When Nandini appealed to sage for help, he replied-Tolerance & strength are strengths of Brahmanās, hence I’ll not abandon these exalted qualities but if you like you’re free to go with king or stay here. Nandini asked-Does this mean you’re discarding me? Tell me clearly, for I know that if you don’t willfully reject me then none can take me away by force. Sage said-I’m not casting you off & if you’re able to stay, you’re welcome


As soon as Nandini heard word stay, she assumed gigantic form & attacked all of king’s soldiers. Without any killing, she drove them off. The King then realized that Kshatriya strength is no match against real strength gained by performance of austerities. Thus hostilities started between two. After executing severe penances for many years, Viswāmitra attained fulfillment of his desires by being elevated to status of Brahmarsi


When we give charity, we should give with compassion & not calculation. Charity in mode of goodness is recommended by scriptures, but charity in passion & ignorance mode is not, because it is simply a waste of money


Charity should also be given to the right receiver. Giving charity purifies heart because it helps us become detached from material things & cleanses desire for fruitive results. Giving purifies our finances & accumulated wealth. If we give charity for spreading God consciousness, that is the best charity


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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