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Joy Of Giving

The Hinduism says, “ Danna ( donation) is the practice of cultivating generosity. It can take the form of giving to an individual in distress or need. It can also take the form of philanthropic public projects that empower and help many.”

Mainly there are three types of Giving. They are Dakshina, Bhiksha and Daan. Dakshina is a kind of repayment. Bhiksha means giving alms to people. Daan refers to charity or providing donations.

Hindu legends have numerous examples of organ donation and transplantation. And this concept is actually embedded deep into the Hindu way of life.

Kannapa , a tribal hunter, was a devoted follower of Mahadev Shiva. Once a priest at a temple objected to his offering meat to Shiva Linga ) symbol of Mahadev Shiva). Shiv Bhole wanted to test the extent of Kannapa’s devotion and so he made blood pour out from the right eye of the Linga. Kannapa tried to treat it with herbs but failed. So he gouged out his right eye and used it to cover the bleeding wound. Then the left eye of the Linga began to bleed. Kannapa was about to goug out his left eye when he was stopped by Mahadev Shiva. This was the ultimate act of devotion through donation of a part of one’s own body.

Rig Veda emphasises Daan as help given to the needy. It can be in the form of food, knowledge, land or protection. The best kind of Daan is feeding to a hungry person and teaching someone.

While talking about Daan, we cannot escape the name of Maharishi Dhadhichi. Rishi Dhadhichi is a Rishi ( Saint ) who played a central role in the conflict between the Devas and Asurs. Dadhichi Rishi is known for sacrificing his life so that Indra the King of Devas could wield the weapon “Vajra” made from Maharishi’s bones and drive out Asuras from the heaven.

The history is witness to the donation of bones by Dadhichi Rishi for the welfare of others. This one single development ha motivated the world for the ‘spirit of donation’ - the spirit of giving’ - the joy of giving.

Organ donation is the process when a person allows an organ of one’s own to be removed and transplanted to another person legally, either by consent when the donor is alive or dead with the assent of the next of kin.

The Governments all over the world have enacted laws for regulation of donations and transplantation of organs. Many non-government organisations are also successfully promoting this holistic movement.

Shri Bhagvad Geeta as per Chapter 2, Verse 22, describes the relationship between soul and body in a simple way. As a person puts on new garments giving up the old ones, the soul similarly leaves the old body and enters the new body of a baby.

Further it is well known that the body which has been left after the death of a person becomes meaningless.

It is only because of ancient wisdom and scientific research that the cadaver (the whole body) is used for training medical students. And all vital human organs like heart, kidneys, liver, eyes and skin etc are being planted to the patients who have organ failures. It is by way of pledging organs, we can help give a new lease of life to many patients who are on the death bed.

Many blind persons can again enjoy the active life when they have the fortune of getting eyes from the donors.

Blindness can be wiped out from the earth if just a fraction of the persons pledge their eyes after death. Can there be a better donation than giving sight to someone who is not able to see the beauties of this colourful world.

Dadhichi Deh Daan Samiti is engaged in creating awareness and promotion of body and organ donations for more than 25 years. There has been an encouraging response from the organ donors. Upto 31st January 2022, there have been 326 body donations, 820 eye donations and organ donations from 6 brain dead persons. The spirit of donation of organs is the Joy of Giving.