Are you eligible to be charitable?

“I am the lone survivor. Instead of allowing my property to be squandered after my death, it would be better if I created a Trust. It is a good way of helping poor people” – thought that rich man. He was, however, cautious enough not to let anybody know about his intent. He disclosed his intent to his Guru.

The Guru looked at the millionaire compassionately and said, “A very good idea indeed. It will be helpful for a handful of people, and you will be remembered for generations to come. But why are you telling me all this?” asked the Guru innocently.

“In today’s world, how can anybody trust the trustees? I thought it would be better if I make the Trust as a part of your institution….” the millionaire had not finished his sentence yet.

“Your intentions are indeed very lofty. Do you really think that I have the eligibility to undertake such charitable activities?” the Guru sighed.

“Guruji, I am prepared to surrender all my wealth at your feet,” said the millionaire.

“I am referring to eligibility. Anyway, I have to go to the temple now. Do you want to go with me?” asked the Guru, getting up. “Whatever you say, Guruji” said the millionaire and followed the Guru to the temple. The Guru looked at the beggars sitting on the pavement and said, “poor things!”. Immediately, the millionaire took out his wallet and pulled out a twenty-rupee bill and put it into the beggars bowl, and looked at his Guru to see if there was any sign of appreciation in His face. Guruji was not even looking at him. He was walking towards the temple. The millionaire hastened his steps and continued following the Guru.

Guru: You gave a twenty-rupee bill, but you didn’t prostrate before him. Why?

Millionaire: Prostration! To whom, Guruji?

Guru: Whom did you give that money to?

Millionaire: To that blind beggar.

Guru: What do you get by giving money to a blind beggar?

Millionaire: They say that one will earn merit by giving away alms to beggars….?

Guru: Oh! I see! So you are buying merit (punya) by giving twenty rupees! Does he have a storehouse of merit?

Millionaire: They say that gods will be pleased if one gives alms to poor people.

Guru: So it means that you are giving alms to the God who resides in that beggar! Very well. But don’t you think that you should prostrate to that God?

Millionaire: He is after all a blind person?

Guru: What about the God who resides in that blind beggar? Is He blind too?

Millionaire: It is not like that. Even if we prostrate, the blind beggar will not know.

Guru: How are you so sure that he is really blind? He may just be pretending as though he is blind.

Millionaire: Do you say then, Guruji that I should prostrate before an imposter even when I am suspicious?

Guru: If you are suspicious, should you refrain from giving alms? The suspicion may be may not be real. It may be real also. Whatever it is, if you are unable to see God in him, why should you give alms in the first place? If you are able to see God, does it mean that you need not give alms?

Millionaire: Am I wrong in being charitable?

Guru: Being charitable is neither right nor wrong. But, before one does charity, one must first earn the eligibility. One must be able to see God in the person to whom one does charity. When one sees God, one will certainly prostrate before that person. That itself is the eligibility to being charitable. If this eligibility is not there, it is one and the same whether you give alms to a beggar or form a Charitable Trust!!!

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