Lecture on Bhagavad-gītā 2.64-65 by Tattvavit dasa

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1. mohini says:

   21. April 2023 at 6:33 pm

   ” Krsna does not see what you give, but how much you hold back”. Yes, right, it has to be given to the right person and/or the right cause with the purpose of spiritual advancement. Since everything material is temporary so temples etc. will mostly also be gone in due course of time. It is the spiritual benefit which is lasting when given to the right cause.

   There is a nice example in regards to giving.

   “The widow’s mite”

   Judaean Widow Mites are perhaps the most sought-after Biblical coins of all time. They take their name from the Biblical lesson that Jesus makes there at the Temple.

   http://www.ancientresource.com/lots/holyland_artifacts/holy-land-biblical-coins/widows-mites.html

   The bronze mite, also known as a Lepton (meaning small), was first minted by Alexander Jannaeus, King of Judaea, (103-76 BC), and was still in circulation at the time of Jesus. The Lesson of the widow’s mite was presented in the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4), in which Jesus was teaching at the Temple in Jerusalem. The Gospel of Mark specifies that two mites (Greek lepta) are together worth a quadrans, the smallest Roman coin. A lepton was the smallest and least valuable coin in circulation in Judea, worth about six minutes of an average daily wage.

   “He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.’”

   In the passage immediately prior to Jesus taking a seat opposite the Temple treasury, he is portrayed as condemning religious leaders who feign piety, accept honor from people, and steal from widows.

   “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.”

   The same religious leaders who would reduce widows to poverty also encourage them to make pious donations beyond their means. Jesus is actually condemning both the social system that renders her poor, and the value system that motivates her action, and he condemns the people who conditioned her to do it.

   The account of the widow’s mite is followed by, “As he was making his way out of the temple area one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, teacher, what stones and what buildings!’ Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be one stone left upon another that will not be thrown down.’”

   Indeed, the Temple eventually was destroyed in the year 70 AD.

   Bhagavad-gita states,

   That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be charity in the mode of goodnes

   In the Vedic literature, charity given to a person engaged in spiritual activities is recommended. There is no recommendation for giving charity indiscriminately. Spiritual perfection is always a consideration. Therefore charity is recommended to be given at a place of pilgrimage and at lunar or solar eclipses or at the end of the month or to a qualified brāhmaṇa or a Vaiṣṇava (devotee) or in temples. Such charities should be given without any consideration of return. Charity to the poor is sometimes given out of compassion, but if a poor man is not worth giving charity to, then there is no spiritual advancement. In other words, indiscriminate charity is not recommended in the Vedic literature.

   But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be charity in the mode of passion.

   Charity is sometimes performed for elevation to the heavenly kingdom and sometimes with great trouble and with repentance afterwards. “Why have I spent so much in this way?” Charity is also sometimes made under some obligation, at the request of a superior. These kinds of charity are said to be made in the mode of passion. There are many charitable foundations which offer their gifts to institutions where sense gratification goes on. Such charities are not recommended in the Vedic scripture. Only charity in the mode of goodness is recommended.

   And charity performed at an improper place and time and given to unworthy persons without respect and with contempt is charity in the mode of ignorance.

   Contributions for indulgence in intoxication and gambling are not encouraged here. That sort of contribution is in the mode of ignorance. Such charity is not beneficial; rather, sinful persons are encouraged. Similarly, if a person gives charity to a suitable person without respect and without attention, that sort of charity is also said to be in the mode of darkness. (Bg 17.20-22)

   and

   Acts of sacrifice, charity and penance are not to be given up but should be performed. Indeed, sacrifice, charity and penance purify even the great souls.

   The yogīs should perform acts for the advancement of human society. There are many purificatory processes for advancing a human being to spiritual life. The marriage ceremony, for example, is considered to be one of these sacrifices. It is called vivāha-yajna. Should a sannyāsī, who is in the renounced order of life and who has given up his family relations, encourage the marriage ceremony? The Lord says here that any sacrifice which is meant for human welfare should never be given up. Vivāha-yajna, the marriage ceremony, is meant to regulate the human mind to become peaceful for spiritual advancement. For most men, this vivāha-yajna should be encouraged even by persons in the renounced order of life. Sannyasīs should never associate with women, but that does not mean that one who is in the lower stages of life, a young man, should not accept a wife in the marriage ceremony. All prescribed sacrifices are meant for achieving the Supreme Lord. Therefore, in the lower stages, they should not be given up. Similarly, charity is for the purification of the heart. If charity is given to suitable persons, as described previously, it leads one to advanced spiritual life.
   (Bg 18.5)

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