art of giving

[ Translation of my article originally written in Tamil for "Vanavil" - hand written magazine ]

Giving gives pleasure to both the giver and the taker. Historically there are many legend hero's known for giving.

1. Taker
2. Giver
3. Others
4. Giving thing
Above are the four that is involved in the process of giving.

Giving thing (4) may not only be gold or money, it could be any value add for the taker. For ex, lifting the bag for others in the train, showing the right path to destination for a friend could also be considered as a act of giving to taker.

The act of giving to the taker should be done without any expectation. If giving is known to others(3), it would be considered that it is done for getting good name from others. If the giver(2) keeps on thinking about the giving process, it could result in reduction in the amount to be given. Hence, the giver may give without the knowledge of others and also without the knowledge of himself. Left hand should not know what is given by right hand. Such a generous person is karna from Mahabharata.

The last but not the least, is the taker(1). Some takers may think that getting would give some difficulties for the giver or may think that what we can give in return to the giver for getting. They may also reject the offer from the giver.

When I was in bangalore, once I was travelling with three friends in a bus. Since the bus was crowded only me and one friend got seat to sit. Others were standing. We four were chatting as the bus moved. After an hour, my friend sitting next to me offered his seat to the one's who were standing. The offer was rejected. After sometime, I stood up and said that my legs are paining after sitting for a long time. Now the friend who was standing took my seat.

Hence if the taker is not aware of the act of giving, it becomes the best. GOD also gives us everything without our knowledge.

By giving, the giver becomes virtuous person. But if the taker rejects the offer of the giver, the giver may not get that benefit of becoming virtuous person. While eating meat, the chicken, turkey etc becomes virtuous by giving taste and filling the stomach of the person who eats. Hear the chicken is the giver and chicken eaters are takers. Killing the chicken is another part of the story, it can be taken as their fate! Fate is powerful!! 


Anything given by GOD or other people, if we accept them fully without any condition we can give the most for the Giver. We need to keep this in mind and accept everything.


    Meaningful charity does not draw the attention to the giver and the others.
    Dignified charity does not draw the attention to the taker and the others.
    In both, the taker plays the important role of accepting without any condition.


P.S: Is this art of giving or art of taking ;-)