The Kurukshetra war was waged not for power but for dharma, the everlasting and essential nature of truth, regarded in Hinduism as a cosmic law underlying right behaviour and social order. Arjuna who became unsure about waging the war, was given many verses by his parthasarthy, Lord Krishna. One such was about gifts.
“That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness.” Thus, charity given in the proper place is called sāttvika.
We give charity once in a while, but when we do, what is our intention behind it? To give away things that we no longer need? Or the fear that if we don’t give charity, the God will be angry? Or we will go to heaven if we did charity? Or for publicity?
I think it’s a mixture of all the above. We do not give anyone anything without expectation, and that makes the purity that is there in charity, negligible. We should have absolutely no reason to give charity, we should give it out of love and because one needs it too.
It is said that expectation is the root cause of misery and leads to a lot pain and unhappiness.
Performing a deed for enriching the soul and not social norms, is purity in charity. It is the ultimate gift we offer to the Lord and the universe. Not only giving but giving it to the person actually in need of it, makes charity even holier. Someone in need if helped without any form of expectation or greed, is goodness in itself.
If we all practiced charity without wanting anything in return, we have achieved something blissful in life. A practice every human must inculcate in life.