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How To Serve God?
Food
The righteous, who eat the remains of Yagya, are freed from all sins. But the unrighteous, who prepare food for themselves alone, truly they commit sin.
YAGYASHISHTASHINA SANTO MUCHYANTE SARVKILBISHAE.
BHUNJATE TE TWAGHAM PAPA YE PACHNTYATMKARNAT. (GEETA 3/13)
BHUNJATE TE TWAGHAM PAPA YE PACHNTYATMKARNAT. (GEETA 3/13)
The Vedas and Manusmriti have supported the Gita by saying that he who cooks for himself alone commits only sin.
NARYAMARAM PUSHYATI NO SAKHAYAM
KEWALADHO BHAWATI KEWALADI. (VEDAS)
KEWALADHO BHAWATI KEWALADI. (VEDAS)
AGHAM SA KEWALAM BHUNKTE
YE PACHANTYATMKARNAT. (MANUSMRITI)
YE PACHANTYATMKARNAT. (MANUSMRITI)
Offering to God from food:
There are four eating elements i.e. earth element found in grains, water element found in vegetables, fire element found in sun-ripened fruits, air element found in leaves. So we must offer at least 1/4th of our food in the service of Omnipresent God.
Lord Krishna says in Geeta that when a devotee offers me his food with the feeling of serving Me, I eat that food with Love –
PATRAM PUSHPAM PHALAM TOYAM YO ME BHAKTYA PRAYACHATI.
TADAHAM BHAKTYUPAHRITAM ASHNAMI PRAYATATMANAH.
TADAHAM BHAKTYUPAHRITAM ASHNAMI PRAYATATMANAH.
Such a devotee shall be freed from the bondage of Karmic cycle.
There is a great misconception that patram means some leaves only, pushpam means some flowers only, phalam means one or two fruits only and toyam means a glass of water is to be offered to God. The concept of the said verse is the offering to God from our food which is made of the above four elements.
Talents
All of us have one or more talents. In reality, all the talents belong to God. Offering these talents to Him is the most pious act. If one has the skill of dancing, he or she may teach dance to others with a feeling of serving God. This will multiply the talent, on one hand, bring detachment from the materialistic world and help to attain the love of God on the other hand.
Engineers may give free consultancy, doctors may take cases of their patients and likewise, every sadhak can adopt this in his life. This selfless service has been taught to students also. Hundreds of sadhak students of IASS, when started teaching their juniors, it was surprising to note that those who taught, their performance became excellent. Their understanding, retaining power and memory increased and the intuitional power developed.
ANANYASHCHINTYANTO MAM
YE JANAH PARYUPASATE
TESHAM NITYABHIYUKTANAM
YOGAKSHEMAM VAHAMYAHAM
YE JANAH PARYUPASATE
TESHAM NITYABHIYUKTANAM
YOGAKSHEMAM VAHAMYAHAM
Time
Time-Selfless service
Twenty four hours have been given to all by the merciful Lord. At least one hour daily should be spared for selfless service which includes the sharing through talents. If it is not possible daily, 30 hours in a month should be devoted for this cause. When the responsibilities towards children are completed, then time for selfless service must be increased.
Tithe
Tithing is the setting apart and giving of a portion of your income to the place you receive spiritual enlightenment. According to most scriptures, that amount is 10% of your gross income.
However in Islam, there are two divisions – Shias and Sunnies. For some the tithe percentage is a minimum of 2.5% on a recurring basis and the amount is to be taken from all movable and immovable properties at the end of every year and at the current market price. Thus, in the long run it could be more than 10%. For others the tithe is 10% as in other religions.
To have happiness and bliss, you must give to God. If not, you may suffer from various diseases that in the long run will cost more than if you gave to God. Therefore, do not neglect God.
If after studying the scriptures you are still in doubt as to where to give your tithe, here are two ways to guide you:
1) Each time, for three months, while sitting in meditation ask God where He wants you to tithe. During these three months be sure to set aside your tithe, but do not give it to anyone. When the answer comes, give it joyously to where God says.
2) If an answer does not come, ask yourself this question: “Does the person or organization I wish to tithe to give me spiritual enlightenment?” If the answer is yes, give freely. If the answer is no, you can give, but not out of God’s portion, but out of the remaining amount for your living expenses.
The best source to learn about giving to God is in the Holy Texts. Various scriptures are shown from the main religions. After studying them, you be the judge as to where to give your tithe. It is strictly between you and God.
Suggested book to read:
Science of Giving
Treasures
In life you are given numerous treasures from God. Some were received from friends, relatives and business associates while others were purchased by you out of income received. These treasures may include:
Real Estate
Clothes
Jewelry
Miscellaneous Items
Examples:
In the Holy Bible, Christ says “Sell all your possessions, give to the poor and come follow me.”
A good example of this is when a very wealthy businessman in Europe, after reading the above mentioned scripture, sold everything he had, gave the money to his church to distribute to the poor and then sailed for India to serve God. His name was William Carey.
In India, a woman of 99 was asked by her son if she would allow him to give a 10 acre plot of land for the purpose of providing homes for orphans and another plot of land for a hospital to be located in their village. Without hesitation, she replied, “Absolutely yes. When leaving this earth, the land will always remain, so why not put it to good use for the betterment of humanity.”
An Indian gentleman, in memory of his father, donated over 12 acres of land for a unique themed temple based on the ancient Indian Holy text Sri Ramcharitmanas.
Offer 50% from gifts:
We all have two types of income –
As emoluments and profits.
As occasional gifts from friends and relatives.
Out of the first only 10% tithing is prescribed. From gifts one must offer 50% in the service of Lord.
This shall escalate detachment and spiritual upliftment resulting in greater happiness with worriless mind. One must be sure that such a type of sharing shall multiply income.
PROPERTY
CLOTHES
JEWELRY
Donation / Dashansh
CASES
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