Generosity or Charity?

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Generosity is often described as charity. Are they same? I believe not!

While charity is an act of giving away something from your possession to the needy, generosity is the spirit that helps you think about charity. Charity is materialistic and is related to tangible resources only. While generosity on the other hand involved intangible resources like love. A generous heart soothes the needy more than the charity.

Charity is transactional in nature – you give what is asked for – nothing more, nothing less. While generosity goes beyond the boundaries of transactions and gives away without being asked or looking for anything in return.

Throughout or vast history, there are stories of generous kings and their subjects that have stood out as examples of greatness. Be it Karna, Bali, Virochana, Bhoj etc. However, in each of the story we always focus on the act of charity than the spirit of generosity. All these great men gave what they had and much more, when asked. At the same time, there is another story of Krishna and Sudama where Sudama couldn't express his need to his friend, but gets everything in return. We might have read this story in terms of friendship, but this story talks a great deal about generosity as well.

You can be charitable by donating money, but when you do not have any money can you be generous? Yes. It doesn't takes money to embrace someone with a warm heart. Love is not diminished by sharing or giving. Infact, it only grows this way.

On this topic, I would like to relate a couplet from Rahim –

Ve Raheem Nar Dhanya Hai, Par Upkaari Ang |

Baatanwaare Ko Lagai, Jyo Mehdi Ko Rang ||

"Those people are blessed who have charity inscribed on each and every cell of their body. Those who offer fragrance to others are always full of fragrance."

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