“The giving of wealth results in obtaining wealth, the giving of teaching results in obtaining wisdom, the giving of fearlessness results in obtaining health and long life.”
–Buddhist teaching
Kabir – The couplet
??????? ???? ?? ?? ???, ??? ?? ????? ? ??? |
??? ??? ?? ? ???, ?? ??? ??? ???? ||
transliterated:
Chidiya chonch bhar le gayi, nadi ka ghatyo na neer |
Daan diye dhan na ghate, keh gayo daas Kabir ||
Translation:
The beakful of water the bird takes, makes no difference to the river’s volume |
Donations do not reduce one’s wealth, so says Sage Kabir||
My understanding:
Giving is the best way or receiving and retaining – no matter what we are talking about. Wealth, knowledge, peace, and harmony – even the negatives like anger, jealousy and pride – all increase for us as we learn to give and share.
This is one of the greatest truths and yet most humans stay blinded to it by the mists of maya. This is just like a bank – until we put some money away, we do not have a balance to draw from. Unless the balance stays there for a while, it will not grow with interest.
Similarly for our wealth, knowledge, peace and tranquility – the more we give, the more we are banking for our future use. For when the moment of adversity arrives, this is the only fund we can draw from. The material world cannot replenish the mind, heart or soul. Our collected deeds, goodwill and love will be our steadying oar when all else is lost.