There is an adage saying charity begets virtue (Punya). Such a conviction is based on the assumption that “giving” is associated with emotional involvement and profound faith in the propriety of the objective, for which charity is being made. Where it is not so, and charity is preconditioned by ulterior motive, the act becomes equivalent to committal of a sin because of the reactions and environment it creates. It also brings in disrepute to both giver and receiver which is likely to be disastrous for both. Hence it is expected that the spirit of charity is also preconditioned with objective of excellence and discernment. Then only one may hope that virtuous benevolent activity associated with the charity would be totally beneficial for all related persons.
These days, the concept of charity has become shrouded with many misgivings. Besides, such persons are rare who have accumulated enough wealth and are able to spare it in sufficient measure for some significant objective. Bhamashah (a millionaire) could be called truly wealthy since he had the wealth of empathy which motivated him to donate a huge amount in cash to Ranapratap (an Indian fighter) for a righteous objective. In order to be as illustrious as Harishchandra (a King) or Karna (a King), one also needs an acute sense of discernment, farsightedness and large hearted-ness. However, it is a rare person who is able to identify and make use for such opportunities. In most other cased, the earnings of fools are usurped by the cunning and in the process what the former get in return is public disgrace and creates bad consequences for all concerned.
Wealth is produced by a combination of physical endeavour and favourable circumstances. Now-a-days it is not possible for most of the persons to create such an environment. In the existing millennium someone who is desirous of performing some virtuous acts of benevolence and is not wealthy, has to focus attention on that natural wealth which the creator has liberally provided to each living being. This natural wealth is Time. The chain of life is made up of links of time. A generous utilization of time becomes possible only for those active persons, who become seriously interested in some specific benevolent work. Whatever be the merits of any project, disinterest in it does not produce any desire for participation. Where there is apathy and disinterest in any work it is either not initiated or is left incomplete and ill-finished. In the plethora of natural resources, time has many unique characteristics.
Amongst the various types of charities, time is ranked next to money. It is easily available to everyone irrespective of status and opportunities, since proper utilization of time is possible even by persons with below-average intelligence. Guidance for appropriate utilization of time can easily be sought from experienced and wise persons. Time is one such valuable resource which cannot be exploited by others for long. One’s drops of sweat generated by hard work are comparable to beads of pearls, which alone have been the basis or great achievements of supermen. The donation of time must be associated with profound faith in the objective for which it is being used. Otherwise, any request for donation of time, gets a negative response and people make many excuses like preoccupation with other engagements.
Here the topic under discussion is the relevance of donation in religion and in this context significance of TIME DONATION which is easy for all and sundry. Each member of human race, therefore, becomes eligible and is invited to make this contribution. With the help this ancient tradition if we are going to explore the possibility of human welfare we must find out the means by which the present generation can be revitalized and motivated to adopt this great heritage, which is capable of playing a decisive role in structuring of a bright future for mankind.
Here the objective is to show the relevance of such activities of human welfare in life, which are from every angle significant, selfless, utilitarian and inspiratory. Participation in such activities becomes possible only for those whose dedication to ideals is of such a high order, that on every moment of life they feel an irresistible urge to donate their time, expertise and resources for promotion of excellence and have a sense of pride and dignity in doing so. All major events in history of men bring out one stark reality. Only such individuals had succeeded in spearheading movements for establishing ideals, who imbibed excellence as an essential ingredient in their own life and made total surrender of all their resources for them. These are the “Time Donors”. Their endeavour is always perseverant. They never deviate nor do they stagger. Credit and honour woos only such persons. They are the truly great philanthropists.
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