Charity to Kṛṣṇa - The Ultimate Perfection of Giving
In the Ninth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā, the Supreme Lord makes a definitive statement regarding human behavior: whatever we do, whatever we eat, and whatever we give away in charity should be offered unto Him. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that giving charity to Kṛṣṇa is not a mundane philanthropic transaction. It is a profound spiritual process that cures the soul of its material conditioning, protects the mind from degradation, and ultimately binds the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the ropes of transcendental love.
Dispelling the False Ego
Why does God, who owns the entire universe, ask us for charity? Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that Kṛṣṇa is never in need of our money. Rather, He begs from us simply to cure our greatest disease: the false sense of proprietorship. By giving charity to Kṛṣṇa, we are actively dismantling the illusion that we are the owners of the material energy.
- Krsna is not in want of money, for He is the original proprietor of everything (Isavasyam idam sarvam (ISO 1)). But still He asks us for charity. For example, Krsna, in the guise of Vamana, a dwarf brahmana, went to beg from Bali Maharaja.
- Even though He is sarva-loka-mahesvaram (Bhagavad-Gita 5.29), the proprietor of all the planets, He nonetheless says, "Please give in charity to Me." Why? It is for our interest, for the sooner we return Krsna's money to Krsna, the better situated we will be.
- When Krsna asks you that "Give Me in charity," so that - you are foolishly thinking that it is your money - Krsna is just trying to take your money so that your false consciousness may be dispelled.
- You are falsely claiming that it is your property. It is not your property. So when Krsna asks you that "Give Me in charity," so that - you are foolishly thinking that it is your money.
Protection Through Renunciation (Tyagena)
Wealth can be a dangerous trap for the conditioned soul. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that when we hoard money unnecessarily, the mind naturally begins to plot ways to enjoy it through sinful activities. Therefore, giving charity to Kṛṣṇa (tyāgena) is a highly practical method of spiritual self-defense.
- Tyagena. This is also one of the tapasya. Don't keep with you anything, then you will make plan: "Let me have illicit sex. Let me have intoxication." Best thing is, as soon as you get money, immediately you spend it for Krsna. Tyagena, charity.
- Tyagena means charity. Not that you starve. No. That kind of starvation . . . you keep yourself fit to execute Krsna consciousness, but don't keep much money. Immediately give in charity to Krsna.
- If you give charity for Krsna activities, then there is no reaction. The... Of course, there is reaction. That is called transcendental reaction, that you will gradually become elevated into Krsna consciousness.
Purchasing the Supreme
The most beautiful aspect of devotional service is that the Supreme Lord can actually be conquered by the love of His devotee. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that when a pure soul, like Bali Mahārāja, gives everything they have in charity without expecting a single thing in return, Kṛṣṇa becomes entirely indebted to them.
- If you make charity to Krsna you can purchase Krsna. Yes. Although Krsna is all-powerful proprietor, you can purchase Krsna. So do that. If you have got any money, spend for Krsna consciousness.
- Krsna can take your charity as much as you can give. Just like Bali, Bali Maharaja.
- Srimati Radharani continued, "Before that birth as a ksatriya, He (Krsna) took His birth as a brahmana boy known as Vamanadeva and asked charity from Bali Maharaja. Bali Maharaja was so magnanimous that he gave Him whatever he had."
- Real love of Krsna becomes manifested when Krsna becomes the recipient of charity and the devotee becomes the giver.
The Highest Standard of Giving
To give everything to Kṛṣṇa is the mark of a truly liberated soul. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a devotee who has reached this platform of total sacrifice refuses any kind of material or spiritual reward, even if the Lord Himself offers the highest liberation. They simply want the opportunity to continue giving to Kṛṣṇa eternally.
- A person who wants to give everything in charity to Krsna but does not want anything in return is considered the real renouncer. Thus, a devotee will refuse to accept any kind of liberation, even if it is offered by the Lord.
- When a person knows the glories of the Lord completely and is prepared to sacrifice everything for the Lord, he is called sampradanaka, or one who gives everything in charity for the sake of Krsna.
- My dear son of Kunti, whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give in charity, and whatever austerities you perform, all the results of such activities should be offered to Me, Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Krsna says (Bhagavad-Gita 9.27): "All that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me." If Krsna takes, that is the perfection of charity.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda unequivocally establishes that there is no recipient more worthy of our charity than Kṛṣṇa. By consciously redirecting our wealth, our possessions, and our love toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we safeguard our spiritual lives and achieve the ultimate perfection of existence—returning back home, back to Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Charity to Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.