Social service should be done physically, mentally or financially. You can even supply groceries or contribute towards it.

On any special occasion in your family like a wedding, naming ceremony, house warming, birthday, wedding anniversary etc. learn to spend some money towards the old and needy people. Do annadana (giving food as a charity) on that day either in an orphanage, or old age home or in temple or any place of your choice. Share your happiness with others in society through such deeds.

You should understand that Swamiji is teaching you the important trait of sacrifice (tyaga). Donations should always be given happily.

In the ancient times, whenever people donated huge money to build temples, they instructed that their name should be engraved on the floor or on the steps so that the devotees who visited the temple would stamp it. The idea was that their ego should be humbled and thereby destroyed completely.

Quite contrary to this the modern man seeks that for any small donation he makes his name be written on the fans, tube lights, ceiling, walls etc. so that it is advertised. This is so shameful.

Our elders say that when the left hand should not know what the right hand has given away! It is to be so secretive. In fact once the donation is made, there should be no thought about it. Even if the thought comes by mistake, you should be ashamed of it.

Of course there are people who donate publicly, so as to encourage others to follow. This is good. If such people wish to have their name engraved then it should be on the floor not the ceiling.

• Bhaktimala 1993