A friend’s son rang me up the other day. He was very upset as he had been cheated by someone pretending to be in trouble. I too have been cheated several times like this. More than monetary loss what troubled the boy was his own foolishness to believe the swindler. But I felt he had not been foolish as he had given away an amount that would have helped the person if he was really needy but it did not prick his own pocket much.

The incident really left me thinking over it for some time. We face such situations frequently where we are not sure whether we should donate money or not. Once in my life I had decided not to donate to anyone unless and until I was very sure of the right cause. Though I was not ever cheated, the guilt of walking away without helping someone would be heavier on my heart than the joy of “hey, you can’t fool me!”. I suppose this is the very sentiment which is exploited by the crooks.

But as a Sikh we have to be compassionate. Guru Nanak says compassion (daya) gives birth to Dharma.

DOlu Drmu dieAw kw pUqu ] (3-13, jpu, mÚ 1)

The mythical bull is Dharma, the son of compassion;

sMqoKu Qwip riKAw ijin sUiq ] (3-13, jpu, mÚ 1)

this is what patiently holds the earth in its place.

As in Asa di Var Guru Nanak tells us:-

scu qw pru jwxIAY jw isK scI lyie ] (468-11, Awsw, mÚ 1)

One knows the Truth only when he receives true instruction.

dieAw jwxY jIA kI ikCu puMnu dwnu kryie ] (468-11, Awsw, mÚ 1)

Showing mercy to other beings, he makes donations to charities.

But its no wisdom to give away to thugs (unfortunately you find them even in gurudwaras these days). That very money (however small amount) could have been utilized for some one who is really needy. A large amount of donations is also the cause of corruption

AklI swihbu syvIAY AklI pweIAY mwnu ] (1245-5, swrMg, mÚ 1)

Wisdom leads us to serve our Lord and Master; through wisdom, honour is obtained.

AklI piV@ kY buJIAY AklI kIcY dwnu ] (1245-5, swrMg, mÚ 1)

Wisdom does not come by reading textbooks; wisdom inspires us to give in charity.

Normally we are able to decide whether the cause is genuine or not. But some times we are puzzled and decision may be really difficult!

What I do in such a situation is to give something that won't hurt my pocket and would be of some help to the person concerned. After that I forget about it completely...

Anyone with better idea?

Labels: food for thought