In our fast-paced world, we often believe that happiness comes from acquiring more possessions, experiences, and recognition. We exhaust ourselves chasing the next big thing, only to find that the joy we seek remains elusive. But what if we have been searching for fulfillment in the wrong direction? What if true happiness lies not in what we acquire, but in what we give?

Imagine that shift for a moment. Instead of chasing possessions and accolades, you focus on what you can offer to others and to the world. Could this simple change in perspective hold the key to a richer, more meaningful life? Let us explore how this shift in mindset, from accumulation to generosity, can unlock a deeper sense of purpose.

What Makes Us Alive

Let us begin with a visit to the Dead Sea, a place of stark contrasts that holds a powerful lesson for us all.

The Dead Sea is a fascinating body of water located in the Middle East, known for its high salinity. Despite receiving fresh water from rivers, the sea has no outlet. It retains everything that comes to it, making its waters ten times more saline than the ocean. As a result, the sea is nearly lifeless. No flora or fauna can thrive in its harsh environment, except for a few bacteria and fungi. That is why it is called the Dead Sea.

Likewise, we also receive gifts from God. Each one of us is blessed with talents, knowledge, wealth, and opportunities to different extents. But like the Dead Sea, if we have no outlet for these blessings—no means of sharing them—they can leave us stagnant. Our lives can become barren, like the Dead Sea. If we wish to thrive, we too must create an outlet for sharing our blessings with others. It is the outlet of generosity that we need in order to thrive.

Giving Is Receiving

Nature itself has the attribute of giving built into its fabric. Water quenches the thirst of others; trees give shelter and food. It is worth noting that despite inherently helping others flourish, they don’t run out of what they have.

Saint Kabir, the great mystic poet, expressed it beautifully when he said:

दान दिए धन ना घते, नदी ने घटे नीर |

अपनी आँखों देख लो, यों क्या कहे कबीर ||

Meaning: ‘As they flow towards the ocean, rivers keep giving from their waters, yet they do not dwindle. Philanthropists generously share their wealth, but do not become impoverished from it. Try it out for yourself and see the results. I am not saying this without a basis.’ 

Kabir ji teaches us that, just like a river that flows towards the ocean without ever losing its water, when we give, our wealth does not diminish; it multiplies. This principle applies not just to material things, but to every kind of giving—love, kindness, wisdom, compassion. When we share these, we don’t run out of these virtues. Rather, they create a ripple effect of positivity and return to us in unexpected ways.

Here is a story highlighting this profound truth.

A Guru sent a message to his hundreds of disciples saying, ‘Come to my ashram. I would like to share the secret of true happiness with you.’

He asked his disciples to inflate balloons and write their names on them. He then placed all the balloons in a room and told them to find their own. Chaos ensued. People were bumping into each other, balloons were popping, and frustration mounted.

But then the Guru offered a simple solution: instead of looking for their own balloons, each disciple should pick any balloon and hand it to the person whose name was written on it. Gradually, peace reigned. The disciples were helping each other, and joy spread throughout the room.

The Guru smiled and said, “This is the secret to happiness. When you hand over someone else’s happiness, you will find your own. It works every time.”

Joy behaves very much like a balloon. If you only go searching for your own, it will most likely burst. But when you strive to amplify the happiness of those around you, it makes you abundant effortlessly.

What Makes Us Human

The principle of giving and receiving extends beyond personal joy, revealing the very fabric of humanity. This has been evident since the dawn of civilization.

The renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead illustrated this point remarkably.

Margaret Mead was once asked what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in ancient societies. Everyone expected her to point to tools or artifacts. Instead, she surprised everyone with her answer. She said that the first sign was a healed femur, a broken thigh bone that had mended.

She explained that in the animal kingdom, a broken femur usually means death. The injured animal cannot escape predators or find food. But if a femur was healed, it meant that someone had cared for the injured creature, helping it through its suffering. Therefore, the act of caregiving is the true mark of human civilization.

This is a powerful reminder that what makes us human is our capacity for selflessness, empathy, and sacrifice. These qualities are the bedrock of a compassionate society, and when we embrace these, we embody the essence of humanity.

Spirit of Service

As we tap into our innate capacity for caregiving and selflessness, we may wonder: what happens when we take this spirit to the next level? What happens when we give generously, not just with a sense of duty, but with a genuine sentiment of service?

The Bhagavad Gita offers profound insight into this question.

Shree Krishna states,

पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति |

तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मन: ||

BG 9.26: If one offers to Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even water, I delightfully partake of that item offered with love by My devotee in pure consciousness.

This verse reveals that God does not measure our offerings by their material value, but by the spirit of service and love behind them.

A heartwarming story illustrates this principle.

During the British rule in India, Madan Mohan Malviya, who founded Banaras Hindu University, sought donations from kings and wealthy businessmen. Their names were proudly displayed on a roll of honor.

One rickshaw puller, who could hardly make ends meet, donated just 12 annas (about 75 paise). Malviya included his name on the honor roll as well. When questioned why such a small contribution was recognized, Malviya explained, “The poor man gave three days of his earnings. His sacrifice is equally, if not more, significant than the kings who donated thousands.”

This story highlights the transformative power of selfless giving. When we offer our resources, time, and love with a spirit of service, we transform our actions into sacred offerings. Ultimately, true sacrifice is not always found in grand gestures. Sometimes, it is the smallest contributions, given from the depth of our hearts, that hold the most power.

Spirit of Sacrifice

But what does it truly mean to give from the heart? What kind of sacrifice does it take to transcend mere duty and offer something that touches the soul? Is there more to giving than just the act of offering? What does true sacrifice look like?

To answer these questions, let us explore a profound example from the Mahabharat.

In the bustling city of Indraprasth, King Yudhishthir was once conducting a grand Rajasuya Yagya, a lavish feast for thousands of Brahmins. Golden plates, exquisite dishes, and royal offerings were spread before them. Yet, in a humble village, a remarkable act of sacrifice was unfolding that could eclipse even the wealthiest offerings.

A poor Brahmin family, struggling through a devastating famine, had only a single meal left to feed themselves. When a weary traveler arrived at their doorstep, the father, despite his own hunger, immediately offered his portion to the stranger. Subsequently more travellers arrived. His wife, inspired by her husband's selflessness, did the same. The son, moved by the compassion of his elders, gave up his meal to yet another traveler. Finally, there was only enough food left for the daughter-in-law, who chose to fast, giving her share to yet another guest.

As the family made these incredible sacrifices, something extraordinary happened. A squirrel, watching in awe, jumped with joy as its small heart filled with happiness. And as it did, one side of its body turned to gold, powered by the divine virtue of the family's selflessness.

The squirrel, determined to make its other side golden as well, traveled to the city where Yudhishthir Maharaj was holding the Yagya. The squirrel kept jumping and falling on the sacred ground where the fire sacrifice was conducted. However, despite the grandeur of the Yagya, the squirrel's other side remained unchanged. Frustrated and confused, the squirrel exclaimed, "Fie upon this Yagya!"

Yudhishthir, perplexed by the squirrel's words, turned to Shree Krishna for guidance. Shree Krishna explained that the poor family's sacrifice was far more significant than the grand Yagya. While Yudhishthir had given from his abundance, the Brahmin family had given up what little they had, demonstrating a deeper level of selflessness and sacrifice.

This story, nestled in the pages of the Mahabharat, calls us to reconsider our understanding of giving. It shows us that true generosity is not measured by the abundance of what we offer, but by the sincerity and selflessness behind it. Real sacrifice—offering not from excess, but from what we hold most dear—reflects a deeper, more meaningful form of generosity. It is in offering what we value the most, rather than what we have in surplus, that we discover the true essence of giving.

Conclusion

The art of giving, rooted in selflessness and service, holds the transformative power to redefine our existence. When we give from the heart, we not only uplift others but also awaken our own deepest sense of purpose and happiness.

In a world that increasingly values the tangible over the intangible, it is time to reclaim the true essence of life. Let us not wait for abundance before we give; instead, let us give abundantly from the heart. For it is in this act of selfless generosity that we discover the profound truth: giving is not just an act, but a way of being. It is the bridge that connects us to others, to ourselves, and to our highest potential.

This essence of giving echoes in the timeless prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi:

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console.

To be understood as to understand.

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Call to Action

To nurture your spirit of giving, watch this inspiring lecture of Swami Mukundananda:

3 Reasons Why Giving Makes You Truly Rich in Life - The Power of Giving | Swami Mukundananda

Resources

●       The Art and Science of Happiness, Swami Mukundananda, India Penguin Ananda (14 June 2023).

●       A Lesson from Mahabharat l A Tale of Golden Squirrel l Swami Mukundananda

●       The True Meaning of Selfless Love and Sacrifice by Swami Mukundananda