Significance of donating

1. Bhagavad Gita 17.20 – On Pure Charity

दानं तं तमसि स्मृतम् ॥
"Datavyam iti yad dānam dīyate 'nupakāriṇe |
Deśe kāle ca pātre ca tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛtam ||"

Meaning:
Charity given with a sense of duty, at the right place and time, to a deserving person (without expecting anything in return), is considered sattvic (pure and spiritual).

दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् ॥
"Dānaṁ damaś ca yajñaś ca svādhyāyas tapa ārjavam |"

Meaning:
Charity, self-restraint, sacrifice, study of scriptures, and austerity are divine qualities that uplift the soul.

धनं मदायं धनिनां गुणाय
"Dhanaṁ madāyaṁ dhanināṁ guṇāya"

Meaning:
Wealth should be used for religious purposes (such as donating to temples); otherwise, it becomes a source of pride and attachment.

धर्माय यशसेऽर्थाय कामाय स्वजनाय च |
पञ्चधैवोपकल्प्यं हि वित्तं ये सन्ति साधवः ||

Meaning:
A wise person should use wealth in five ways:

1. Dharma (religion - donating to temples, serving saints)
2. Yasha (good name and reputation)
3. Artha (livelihood and prosperity)
4. Kama (personal and family needs)
5. Swajana (helping relatives and society)

अत्यन्तपुण्यमेवं स्यात्, यः कुर्याद्विमलां द्रव्यम् |
देवायतनसन्न्यासं पुण्यं सोऽन्ते गमिष्यति ||

Meaning:
One who donates pure wealth for the construction or service of a temple attains great spiritual merit and ultimately reaches auspicious realms.

मन्दिरे यः प्रदद्याच्च स्वर्णं रत्नं धनेश्वरम् |
तस्य पुण्यफलं वाच्यं नाशक्यं गणयितुम् ||

Meaning:
The merit of donating gold, gems, or wealth for temple construction is immeasurable.

अर्चायामिन्द्रवज्राणि परं पुण्यं प्रदीयते |
देवतायतनं कृत्वा मुक्तिं याति स निश्चितम् ||

Meaning:
Building or serving a temple of Lord Vishnu grants great spiritual rewards and ultimately liberation (moksha).