Everything in life has its own importance or a matter of belief. India is a diverse country so are the people who follow different beliefs that make them stand up high among others. One such tradition that is widely seen in India is Giving One Rupee coin as a Shagun.
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. That is the real amount, whereas the pending 1 rupee is considered as debt. As per belief, it means that that person will pay back rupee one (1) whenever he/she will meet next time. The cycle goes on like this that results in forming a strong bond. The more you will meet, the better will be the understanding and relation. Basically, it is a way of saying “we will meet again“.
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:
- “Zero” signifies an end, while “One” signifies a new beginning. That extra one rupee ensures that the receiver does not come across a zero. Rupee 1 an amount or a shagun which is given at the beginning of something. How could be something good start with a zero (as per psychological notion), so add a rupee simply, and as counting begins with one (1). So, one is considered as the beginning of something good.
- 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.
- 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”.
- Knowing the fact that shunya/zero is not considered very auspicious for family persons, so we add one to the given amount. Shunya is associated with Brahma jnam as is the Brahma muhurta. Any work started in this hour apart from meditation/spiritual activity is bound to be fruitless. So, if gifts were in kind then you could give a gift like clothes, jewellery, and add the coin.
- 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. We all know that on Dhana Trayodashi/Dhanteras, it is considered auspicious to buy silver/gold or metal utensils. It corresponds to Prithvi Tattva (Earth Element) of the Pancha Maha Bhutas.
- It is basically a blessing: let the money not stop with what the person gifts but increase. ‘0’ signifies the end while ‘1’ signifies the beginning. This is the motive that the cash is gifted in numbers such as 51, 101 etc. Elders say that invest that one rupee in doing good deeds, charity or for a great purpose to increase in either cash or kind or karma. Giving an extra coin is seen as a silent wish for the receiver to have more in his/her life.
- It is said that one must give some metal (dhatu) as a gift. Remember, your elder’s use to give an additional metal coin or one rupee as a Dakshina to priest. Coins are metallic. Copper and silver coins used to be the norm earlier, but now we have steel based alloys to give them as a token (shagun).
- 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.