She began by narrating the story of Nachiket and Yamraj… One day Nachiket’s father was performing a sacrifice where he claimed to give all his possessions away including his cows to the teachers and saints. However, Nachiket noticed his father was giving away old cows who could not walk or give milk properly, this made him question his father’s sacrifice and whether he would get the desired result from the sacrifice. Was it worth it?
Nachiket kept pestering his father ‘Father, I am your possession, who are you going to give me to?’ Upon multiple requests, his father finally replied angrily and said ‘I will give you to Yamraj!’
The father soon realised what he had said and tried to stop his son from leaving. But Nachiket was firm and told his father that your ancestors would never take back their words and neither will I. He was clever to realise that everything in the world in temporary and that the path of truth is the right path. So, soon Nachiket set off to see Yamraj as he was not afraid of death.
Upon arrival, Nachiket saw that Yamraj was not there and so he meditated until he came; for 3 whole days. No water, food or sleep. On Yamraj’s return, he granted Nachiket 3 boons for having kept him waiting for 3 days.
Firstly, Nachiket asked forgiveness for his father’s actions and asked for him to realise his mistakes. Yamraj answered ‘Your father was already forgiven, as he had such a blessed son like you’
Secondly, he asked how to reach heaven where there is no sorrow, old age or death – this was for the welfare of the people in his village, to free them from their sufferings
Finally, he asked what happens to a man after death. After trying to reject explaining this, Nachiket still insisted to know! Yamraj then realised this young boy is on the path of goodness and not attracted to materialistic items. This is when he explained Atman, the journey of finding the soul, self.
From listening to this wonderous story told by Her, we soon went onto the topic of charity and why we do it? Why should I spend my time, effort and sometimes money in helping another who is not blood-related to me?
A simple review of this is because we are not a messenger of God, nor a Guru but God itself. But we are still yet to find this out ourselves. Yes, they say that by doing charity it washes away our bad deeds, but the one who receives from charity is much greater because he helped you reach a step closer to the divine self. We must remember that I am not the do-er/giver, God is doing it through me.
They say charity should be done with one hand, such that the other hand doesn’t even realise. It should be a time of reflection with the self, rather than a way of showing off to the world. Many faiths recommended to give a percentage of your wealth to charity and I think this is such a great tradition! Similarly, charity should be done without attachment; there should be no ‘I gave this, I did that’ – you should give, give, give and forgive all the attachments you have held onto.
Charity helps you become selfless, in such a way that you eventually start seeing yourself in others; everyone is equal. Though this may seem difficult to obtain, it is certainly possible. Vasudhaiva Katumbakam – a Sanskrit phrase which means ‘the world is one family’ is considered an important moral value to find the One. This phrase describes that an individual has attributes like; having no attachments and having attained the highest level of spiritual progress. It’s to reach oneness, so that you can realise your inner self, to forgive and forget, to become one; the soul, to leave the ‘I, me, mein’ and your path of uniting with the One becomes clear.
To transform from shav (a dead body) to Shiv, charity is important. To reach the level of selflessness, become jeetendriye (conquerer/controller of the senses) and mrutyunjay you need to do charity.
If someone stops you from doing a charitable task, and you’re unable to do anything, just recite a small prayer: ‘may God give me the serenity to accept the things I can’t change, and for the person preventing me the wisdom to know the reason for why we should do charity. I pray to give strength to the person asking me, to keep on going’
It may have occurred many times, where a drunk person/addict has come your way and asked for a donation. If hesitant, just talk to God and ask for guidance. Do as you feel but remember this person has come to your door, it may be an opportunity given to you to be selfless. The person may do whatever they please with the money, but it is upto them how they use it, it’s their karam. Just keep no expectation and no attachments.
This was such a deep topic that She explained, and for all the 16/24 participants at that time, we were left speechless for what to say, it was a moving session. Let’s all try to do more charity and attain the moral Vasudhaiva Katumbakam, for we are all one.
Captured from Yoga & Satsang session by Tajinder