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If we can we should give

A spiritual discourse on the virtue of selfless giving and correcting one's mistakes.

"Your hand should always be raised to give to someone. Do not put your hand down to take from others."

"Give, give, give. Give love, give understanding, give forgiveness... You are born as a human for giving."

The speaker, likely a swami, teaches the principle of giving over taking, citing Tulsīdās and Gandhi. He explains that all actions are recorded in one's karma and that correcting mistakes is essential for inner peace. He illustrates the point with a parable about a king and a village thief, which is identified by a visiting swami through a display of spiritual power. The talk concludes with a call to be a channel for divine love and to live a life of satisfaction and generosity.

Recording location: Croatia, Umag

If we can, we should give. Tulsīdās jī said: "Tulsī kar par kar kar, par kar kar nah kar, tā din par kar kar, tā din maraṇ kar." Do you understand? "Tulsī kar par kar kar"—"kar" means hand. Your hand should always be raised to give to someone. Do not put your hand down to take from others. When you begin to take, that is like death for you. There are many ways of begging. There are many ways of stealing. That is why Gandhījī said non-violence must also be practiced towards yourself, and all great saints have said this. Holy Gurujī, our Gurudev, always said in satsaṅg: "Śiva Dharma, Īmān Dharma"—the religion of service and helping is the greatest religion. In every religion, there is a system to help. What you give will be noted in your karma to be returned. What you take will also be noted in your karma; it will go away. We are responsible for ourselves. For a while, we are happy—yes, we got it—but what will be the result? We have to think for the long distance. So yoga means not only physical exercises; it is a way of life. You utilize yoga principles and practices in your whole life, and never think that you are perfect. No, we always make mistakes. God is perfect; we are imperfect. Humans make mistakes, but humans can also try to correct their mistakes. So do not be afraid that you made a mistake, but be a hero and correct it. That is very important for our spiritual development and for our whole world. That will bring peace within all. First, create peace within you. You cannot be peaceful if you do not correct your mistakes. There was a village. In that small village at that time—you are tired, you will get it. Very soon it will be a bad canal algae, okay? Can you give them water, please? And a little tea also—first give water. There was a village with a population of about 300-400 people. A few villages like this were under one king. That was the time of kings' rule; now, thanks to God, democracy is ruling. In one village, someone stole something from the king at night. The king knew it must be someone from this village. They were asking, "Who is that? Who is that?" No one said, "Yes, it was I." It is very hard to say, "I was the thief." The king was very unhappy. "In my village, I treat all like my own children, and they have stolen. I will not punish that person if they will say sorry, I made a mistake." For three years, they could not find the thief. Then one day, a wise Swāmījī came to that village, like our Jayaprakash. The king asked him a question: "Swāmījī, it is not that the things are stolen, but I am unhappy that my people are becoming thieves. I am ready to give even my kingdom to them. So it disturbs me; I want to know who is the thief. I will not punish him. I will give him more than what he has stolen." Swāmījī said, "No problem. I will find out the thief within no time." Be careful of Swāmījīs, okay? Be careful of Swāmījīs. They know, but they do not tell. Once Natasha told me from Ljubljana—maybe she is not here, do not tell her—Swāmījī told. She had a training. She was flying as a crew member on an airplane. In the training, they told her: "Be kind, be nice to the guests. Never be angry. Even if they steal something, do not tell them that you are stealing. Let them do it. Just play it like you do not know." So it is with Swāmījī, you know. They know what people are thinking and doing. All Swāmīs know except me. I do not know. Do not ask me. Swāmījī said to the king: "Tomorrow at 11 o'clock, arrange a meeting where I will give a satsaṅg. All the villagers should come, and after that, they will get a good meal." All the men of that village gathered and were sitting nicely. At that time, Indians always wore turbans. The king was sitting, Swāmījī was sitting, and the king introduced Swāmījī, saying that Swāmījī is here and he has a special siddhi, a supernatural power. "He knows everything, and so I asked Swāmījī if he can tell us who was that thief. So before Swāmījī will tell us, if some of you is the thief here, I give my word, I will not punish you. You can raise your hand and say yes." Everybody was sitting like this, looking at each other, silent—pin-drop silent. Then Swāmījī got there; there was no loudspeaker at that time. Swāmījī said: "Dear bhaktas, God bless you. God has blessed you, and I am glad to see you all. The king has a question, and I have to find out who is the thief. So, before I find out, with free will you can tell." Everybody is sitting like this; no one said anything. Then Swāmījī said: "Okay, now I will use my vidyā, my power." And he said some mantras. The turban is burning from the teeth, and the thief was doing like this. He said: "Yes, that one it is." So, good siddhi. So we think that we got it and we are happy. But inside you are not happy; that is it. Therefore, give. Give, give, give. Give love, give understanding, give forgiveness, give the way, give them a chance, give them rights, give them food, give them clothes. Give. You are born as a human for giving. Give, give, give. Tell God: "God, you have given me so much. I do not have that much capacity to give. Lord, I am so thankful to you. You chose me as the channel of your love. You chose me, Lord. So let me enjoy giving." Sometimes there is a problem, big problems, and you are suffering. Like Jesus said to the Holy Father: "Father, why just me?" And the Holy Father said: "Because you are my dear son, I trust you, and I gave it into your hands. And it means you have to give. My son, you will not disappoint me. You will give." And therefore, be the giver. Do not be the beggar. And whatever you have, be satisfied. Recording location: Croatia, Umag

This text is transcribed and grammar corrected by AI. If in doubt, what was actually said in the recording, use the transcript to double click the desired cue. This will position the recording in most cases just before the sentence is uttered.

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