Noble Use of Money
37
Charity For The Self
Only that which you put aside for the Soul, will be carried
forward in your next life. You will not gain any benefits for your
next life if you receive recognition and fame for what you do,
in this life.
Questioner: What will carry forward?
Dadashri: Whatever you do for the Soul, will increase
your spiritual energies and that is what carries forward to your
next life.
Questioner: And by receiving praise and fame, we use
up our reward (punya) in this life, correct?
Dadashri: Yes, you will get the praise and it is all over.
None will carry forward.
Feast Of Praises
Questioner: When I give donations, my intentions are
that the money be used for religious and other good causes. But
if people praise me for my deeds, are the benefits not lost?
Dadashri: When large donations are made, they inevitably
become publicized and the donor receives praise. Anonymous
donations do not receive any recognition and so the rewards
remain intact, but you should not involve yourself in the matter
of future profits. You should not have any expectations for fame.
Even Lord Mahavir received praise from people, but he never
accepted it. Dada too gets a lot of praise but he does not
accept any of it either. Worldly people (not self-realised), on the
other hand, are quick to accept any praise because they have
a hunger for it. Donations are bound to be exposed and people
cannot refrain from singing your praise, but as long as you do
not accept them, what is the problem? The problem begins
when you accept the praise. The one who does not accept any
praise remains unaffected and therefore does not incur any loss.