Acharya Prashant explains that giving occurs at three distinct levels, each representing a different state of the ego. The first level is the most common, where giving is actually a business transaction driven by the ego's desire for self-enhancement. In this stage, the ego decides what is valuable and expects a return of equal or greater value. This process is harmful because it is rooted in self-ignorance and the false belief that one's conditioned desires represent freedom. The ego seeks only what it values, rejecting what is truly beneficial, such as spiritual wisdom, if it does not align with its current configuration. The second level of giving arises when the ego becomes tired of its own suffering and stupidity. At this stage, the ego begins to give up its confidence in itself and its old patterns of relating to the world. This is a stage of negation and demolition where one no longer trusts the ego as an authority. By recognizing that its own ways are inimical to its well-being, the ego begins to diminish. Acharya Prashant emphasizes that this stage is a necessary transition for most people, as it involves dropping the unnecessary burdens and mental clutter that lead to suffering. The third and highest level is pure giving, which Acharya Prashant describes as a form of radiation, similar to the sun giving light. This is not a motivated act but an expression of one's essence or heart. At this level, the arithmetic of the world—where giving leads to deficiency—is replaced by the arithmetic of truth, where giving reveals the infinite nature of the self. This giving is purposeless and reasonless, arising from a state of immortality and peace. It is the ultimate purpose of life to reach this state of self-expression before death, moving beyond the fear that characterizes the lower levels of existence.