English »   Malayalam »  

Can I donate something to a beggar?

[A question by Smt. Ramya]

Swami replied:- At present, many beggars are cheating the public. Many a time, many beggars are using your donation for vices like drinking, smoking, etc. If you donate to an undeserving beggar, it is a sin and you will receive the punishment of the sin. You shall not think that it is simply a wastage of money for which there is no punishment. Since there is punishment for this sin, you must store your donation in a box and go on studying the deservingness of the receiver. When you are fully satisfied with the deservingness of a receiver, donate the entire amount to him/her, since it will result in total merit. If you donate to an undeserving receiver due to emotion, you are purchasing sin and its subsequent punishment.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★