"Rivers do not drink their own water, nor do tree eat their own fruits, nor do rain clouds eat the grains reared by them. The wealth of the noble is used solely for the benefit of others. Even after accepting that "giving is good" and that one must learn to give, several questions need to be answered.

The first question is when should one give?
We all know the famous incident from the Mahaabhaarat. Once Yudhishthir, asked a beggar seeking alms to come the next day. At this, Bheem rejoiced saying that Yudhishthir, his brother, has conquered the Death, for he is sure that he will be around tomorrow to give. Yudhishthir gets the message. One does not know really whether one will be there tomorrow to give or not, so the time to give is NOW.

The next question is how much to give?
One recalls the famous incident from history about this. Raanaa Prataap was reeling after defeat from the Mugals. He had lost his army, he had lost his wealth, and most important he had lost hope, his will to fight. At that time in his darkest hour, his erstwhile minister Bhaamaashah came seeking him and placed his entire fortune at the disposal of Raanaa Prataap. With this, Raanaa Prataap raised an army and lived to fight another day. So the answer to this question "how much to give" is "Give as much as you can".

The next question is what to give?
It is not only money that can be given. It could be a flower or even a smile, or even a little time, or  little help, or a little inspiration, or a little consolation. It is not how much one gives but how one gives that also matters a lot. When you give a smile to a stranger that may be the only good thing received by him in days and weeks! "You can give anything but you must give it with your heart.

To whom to give?
Many times we avoid giving by finding fault with the person who is seeking. However, being judgmental and rejecting a person on the presumption that he may not be the most deserving person to get anything is not justified. Give unconditional, without being judgmental.

How to give?
Coming to the manner of giving, one has to ensure that the receiver does not feel humiliated, nor does the giver feel proud by giving. I remember MBH Serial's one dialog of Draupdee said in Viraat's court, "I am the wife of those five Gandharv who give the people so much without asking, that the askers do not feel embarrassment of asking." What an idea of giving alms? It should be like that, whether it is a beggar or an Atithi. Thus in giving one should follow the advice, "Let not your left hand know what your right hand gives? Charity without publicity and fanfare is the highest form of charity. "Give quietly and more then one needs".

While giving let not the recipient feel lower or humiliated. After all what we give never really belonged to us. We come to this world with nothing and will go with nothing. All the things we have, are only with us for a temporary period temporary use. Why then take pride in giving away something which really did not belong to us? Give with grace and with a feeling of gratitude. When you help someone in need, give it before he asks for it; for if you place him under the necessity of stretching out his hand, you take away from him his self-respect which is worth more than the value of your alms.

What should one feel after giving?
We all know the story of Eklavya. When Dronaachaarya asked him for his right thumb as "Guru Dakshinaa", he unhesitatingly cut off the thumb and gave it to Dronaachaarya. There is a little known sequel to this story. Eklavya was asked whether he ever regretted the act of giving away his thumb. He replied, and the reply has to be believed to be true, as it was asked from him when he was dying. His reply was "Yes, I regretted this only once in my life. It was when Paandav were coming in to kill Dronaachaarya who was broken hearted on the false news of death of his son Ashwatthaamaa and had stopped fighting. It was then that I regretted the loss of my thumb. If the thumb was there, no one could have dared to hurt my Guru."

The message to us is clear. Give and never regret giving, rather think that if you could give him more...

And the last question is how much should we provide for our heirs?
Ask yourself "are we taking away from them the gift of work - Karm Yog?" - A source of happiness! The answer is given by Warren Buffett: "Leave your kids enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing."

I would conclude by saying: let us learn the Art of Giving, and quoting Sant Kabeer:
"When the wealth in the house increases, when water fills a boat, Throw them out with both hands "

Paanee Baadhe Naav mein, Ghar mein baadhe Daam
Dono Haath Uleechiye, yah Santon kaa kaam