90 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 8, Ch. 19
PURPORT

Mahdraja Bali wanted to give everything to Vamanadeva, who had ap-
peared as a beggar, but Sukracdrya, being Maharaja Bali’s familial spiri-
tual master in the line of seminal succession, could not appreciate
Maharaja Bali’s promise. Sukracarya gave Vedic evidence that one should
not give everything to a poor man. Rather, when a poor man comes for
charity one should untruthfully say, ““Whatever I have I have given you.
I have no more.” It is not that one should give everything to him. Ac-
tually the word or is meant for om tat sat, the Absolute Truth. Omkdara
is meant for freedom from all attachment to money because money
should be spent for the purpose of the Supreme. The tendency of modern
civilization is to give money in charity to the poor. Such charity has no
spiritual value because we actually see that although there are so many
hospitals and other foundations and institutions for the poor, according
to the three modes of material nature a class of poor men is always
destined to continue. Even though there are so many charitable institu-
tions, poverty has not been driven from human society. Therefore it is
recommended here, bhiksave sarvam om kurvan nélam kamena
cdtmane. One should not give everything to the beggars among the poor.

The best solution is that of the Krsna consciousness movement. This
movement is always kind to the poor, not only because it feeds them but
also because it gives them enlightenment by teaching them how to
become Krsna conscious. We are therefore opening hundreds and thou-
sands of centers for those who are poor, both in money and in knowl-
edge, to enlighten them in Krsna consciousness and reform their
character by teaching them how to avoid illicit sex, intoxication, meat-
eating and gambling, which are the most sinful activities and which
cause people to suffer, life after life. The best way to use money is to
open such a center, where all may come live and reform their character.
They may live very comfortably, without denial of any of the body’s
necessities, but they live under spiritual control, and thus they live hap-
pily and save time for advancement in Krsna consciousness. If one has
money, it should not be squandered away on nothing. It should be used to
push forward the Krsna consciousness movement so that all of human
society will become happy, prosperous and hopeful of being promoted
back home, back to Godhead. The Vedic mantra in this regard reads as
follows:
