What is the difference between charity and sacrifice? Bhagawan lovingly points out the distinction to us today.

There is a lot of difference between charity and sacrifice. Some people, however, do not observe any difference between them. This is a great mistake. People may give a little bit in charity of what they have, keeping almost their entire wealth intact to fulfil their selfish ends. There is selfishness and self-interest in this act of charity. But there is not even an iota of selfishness in an act of sacrifice. Sacrifice lies in giving to others what you like most and love dearly. What is it that is dearest to man? That is his life. Nothing else is dearer to man than his life. What then is the real meaning of sacrifice? It means to give even one’s own life for the sake of others. Many people boast that they have performed a great act of sacrifice by giving their land in charity to others. But actually, they may have done it for the sake of name and fame. It is not a sacrifice in the true sense. “Immortality is not attained through action, progeny or wealth; it is attained only by sacrifice” - this is one of the most important teachings of Indian culture. True sacrifice is changeless and matchless. It makes a man immortal. The body is unreal and mortal. It is bound to perish and disintegrate. But Atma is imperishable, eternal, changeless, and immortal. One can have the experience of the immortal Atma only through sacrifice.