Kamdhenu The Wish Cow

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Ahimsa Research Foundation

Page 93

BEKAMADHENU
from the first Bhagawan Rishabhdev to the last Bhagawan Mahaveer had been giving away possessions in charity for one year (varshidana) before their ordainment.
Bhagawan Mahaveer in the 'Sutrakrutanga Sutra' has called 'abhaydana' (refuge) as the best charity. The sages have described charitable people with the simile of the cloud, which is of four types. There is one, which thunders but does not shower. There is the second, which showers but does not thunder. The third both thunders and showers. While the fourth neither thunders nor showers. Thus like the cloud humans are also of four types. Some make a lot of noise about charity but never come out with it. The second type does charity but never speaks of it. The third both advertises and does charity. While the fourth type neither speaks of charity nor does any. Bhagawan Mahaveer has brought out the glory of charity through this statement. Among the four divisions of dharma i.e charity, conduct, penance and thought, the path of charity is the easiest. Every one can perform it in one's own capacity every day.
The money we invest in bonds for securing our future pays bank in this life alone while the money given away in charity pays back many times over in several births to follow. Only that charity which does not make the giver feel proud and the taker feel belittled can bring about the welfare of the self and others.
When we give in charity to some Religious, Welfare or Jeevadaya organisation we should give up the feeling of possessiveness over that money. It may certainly be alright to place conditions or certain control to ensure that the money or the means are properly utilised. But if