Noble Use of Money

Author(s): Dada Bhagwan
Publisher: Mahavideh Foundation

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Noble Use of Money
Noble Use of Money
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You benefit so much from this gnan (knowledge) by understanding just this one sentence, so imagine how much more can be gained if people were to read a whole book?
Questioner: Now I understand exactly.
Dadashri: Yes, those who have more money should primarily do gnandaan.
But what kind of gnan (knowledge) should it be? It should be the kind that will help people of the world. The products of such charity are for the salvation of the world, not for entertainment. People enjoy reading books and fictions but it does not benefit them; on the contrary they regress in their spirituality.
Abhayadaan Is The Ultimate
Abhayadaan is where one's conducts is such that he will not raise fear in any living being.
Questioner: Can you explain abhayadaan some more?
Dadashri: Abhayadaan means that you do not hurt any living being in the slightest degree. Let me give you an example. When I was in my twenties, I used to go to the movies. It would be midnight by the time I would come home. Walking home, I would startle sleeping dogs with my footsteps because I had metal studs on the soles of my shoes. It occurred to me then, what kind of person I was to startle the poor, sleeping dogs. After that I would remove my shoes each time I walked past them. This is what I used to do even at that young age. Don't you think the noise would startle the dogs?
Questioner: Yes and it would interrupt their sleep.
Dadashri: They used to get startled and naturally they would bark. Would it not have been better to let them sleep so that they would not disturb others as well ?
So, for abhayadaan, one should first have the inner intention (bhaav) of not hurting any living being, even in the slightest degree. Only then will this come into practice. The Lord has called this the ultimate of all charities. No money is involved in this charity. This is the ultimate form of charity, yet people do not have the capacity for it. Even those who have money cannot give this charity. Therefore they should perform their charity with money.
The Lord has said there are no other forms of charity aside from these four. People talk about other forms of charities, but they are all imaginary. There are only these four. As much as possible, your intention should be towards practicing abhayadaan.
Questioner: If we do abhayadaan, does that automatically include the other three?
Dadashri: No. Abhaydaan is possible for only extraordinary people and therefore even those who do not have the financial means can practice it. At one time the wealthy used to do abhayadaan, but nowadays they lack the qualities because they have acquired and accumulated their wealth by depriving and threatening others.
Questioner: So, have they done bhayadaan (charity of threats/fear)?
Dadashri: No, you cannot say that. Despite having done this, they give towards gnandaan. Regardless of what they do, at least they are using their money for gnandaan. At least they are doing something good.
Only Gnanis Can Give Abhayadaan Abhayadaan is the best. The Lord has praised abhayadaan. First and foremost give abhayadaan, so that no being will fear you; then comes charity of knowledge, medicine, and finally food.