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Namaste
Hari Om
In Bhagavad Geeta (Chapter 17) concepts of "Austerity"; "Sacrifice"; "Penance"; "Charity" are put forth. I don't seem to have fully understood them, especially the difference between them. It would be very kind of you, if you could explain with one illustration (or otherwise) these terms.
Thank you
Om Namah Shivay
Dear Friend,
The four terms you have put forward needs quite a bit of understanding...also Sri Vaasudeva has very beautifully explained them in Bhagavad Gita....
One actually needs a lifetime to completely understand these terms in detail...a very humble attempt is made in this thread where the term "Tapas" is described in detail....
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/sho...26&postcount=4
whenever Time permits, will try to provide more details on the other terms....
Namaste
Austerity is when a person voluntarily undergo an inconvenience or a discipline that aims to achieve a higher purpose, a welfare or a spiritual result (self-realization, spiritual enlightenment).Quote:
Originally Posted by surrenderindailylife
Charity is when you give something to someone, a donation or something.
Penance as the term is commonly used in two different ways:1) as a synonym for Austerity (see above)
or
2) as a special kind of austerity meant for redemption from the sins
Sacrifice is the effort which is done in order to please the Lord. This effort should be done in accordance with the instructions in the scriptures. Very simple and beautiful definition of the term "Sacrifice" is given in the Bhagavad gita 3.9 (http://vedabase.net/bg/3/9/en) :
"Work done as a sacrifice for Viṣṇu has to be performed, otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kuntī, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage."
Offering of food to the Lord is a kind of sacrifice: " ... they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice ... " (Bhagavad gita 3.13, http://vedabase.net/bg/3/13/en)
Chanting of the holy names of the Lord is said to be the best of all sacrifices: "Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa]" (Bhagavad gita 10.25, http://vedabase.net/bg/10/25/en)
In fact Lord Vishnu (Krishna) is the goal of all sacrifices:
"A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries." (Bhagavad gita 5.29, http://vedabase.net/bg/5/29/en)
"It is the opinion of expert transcendentalists that the ultimate goal of performing all traditional good works, penances, sacrifices, charities, mystic activities, trances, etc., is to invoke My satisfaction." (Bhagavatam 3.9.41, http://vedabase.net/sb/3/9/41/)
regards
Namaste,
Here, I have given translation of 21 qualities, which I call as milestones in one's spiritual progress.
http://indiaspirituality.blogspot.in...ore-light.html
search for
Daivi sampatti (Divine qualities):
I hope simple translation is enough to understand.
Hari OM