WHY AN ADDED ONE RUPEE

On an auspicious occasion like a birthday, engagement or marriage, sometimes we prefer giving a “शगुन का लिफाफा” instead of a gift item. But the money we put in the envelope is never like Rs. 100, 500 or 1000; but it is always Rs. 101, 501 or 1001.

Have you ever thought why we add that extra one rupee in the शगुन का लिफाफा 🤔 ? Well, there are four age-old reasons for doing that:

1. “Zero” signifies an end, while “One” signifies a new beginning. That extra one rupee ensures that the receiver does not come across a zero.
2. Mathematically, the numbers 100, 500 and 1000 are divisible; but the numbers 101, 501 and 1001 are indivisible. शगुन is a blessing, and we simply want our good wishes and blessings to remain indivisible.
3. The added one rupee is a symbol of continuity, ahead of the basic amount. It strengthens the bond between the giver and the receiver. It simply means, “our good relationship will continue”.
4. However, the added rupee must be a coin, and never a one rupee note. A coin is made of metal, which comes from Mother Earth 🌍 and it is considered to be an अंश or a part of Goddess Lakshmi. While the bigger amount is an investment, the one rupee coin is the “seed” for further growth of that investment. Your good wishes and blessings are for the investment to grow in either cash, kind or karma.

Let’s share with  youngsters of our families.

I may add here, that for this very reason, you give money in round figures of 10 and multiples on sad occasions like death etc.