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diamonds and pearls as a gift. In this manner, he celebrated forty two birthdays. What was the result? He became a destitute.
A gentleman by name Khalil was master of the mint in Misra. He used to carry out his pilgrimage to Mecca in a peculiar manner. He used to get gold coins scattered on the way, so that the camel he rode might place its steps on gold coins; not on earth. Later, those coins were allowed to be taken by other pilgrims. He spent all his wealth in this manner.
EVEN IN RENDERING CHARITY THINK OF THE PROPRIETY OF TIME AND THE WORTHINESS OF THE BENEFICIARY
Rendering help to others is no doubt Dharma but help should be rendered at the right time to the right person. Only he who possesses sense and discretion can render help in this manner. The ghost of excessive benevolence rode on the back of Haroun Alrashid, the Caliph of Bagdad. Every day, he used to go out on his horse and if anyone came near him, he gave him a bag of silver pieces, whether that person was in need of that money or not. On account of this eccentricity, he became a pauper but cunning and crooked fellows took advantage of his eccentricity and profited from it. If some people who possess wealth which they have acquired somehow squander it without imagination and wisdom, we can understand it as natural to some extent but what can we say about those people who do not spend money on domestic necessities but who waste their money on jewels, fashions, dress, decorations and evil habits ? Such people will surely come to grief besides incurring heavy debts. They will not have any prestige in society. People would make fun of them. Such careless people would not be able to spend money when there is a real need.
You must realise that in your lives there will arise various kinds of situations in which you will have to spend money. So, as householders you have to think of the future also and provide for it. In the life of grihasthas various kinds of auspicious and
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