Pranam 1 Artha sastra gives another angle to Dana (donation is not the right translation but dharmam is) :
Dāna (दान, “bribery”) is of five types— 1. surrendering of one’s own wealth, 2. taking other’s wealth, 3. giving away an exclusive thing as gift, 4. inspiring to grab the rival’s wealth, 5. getting released from the debt. These should be employed when one is weak, while it is obligatory with regard to the enemy. (see the *Nītiprakāśikā* 8.76-77) 2 Dāna (दान).—“Charity”, one of the six duties of a brāhmaṇa. 3 Dāna (दान, forms part of the ancient Indian education system, which aimed at both the inner and the outer dimension of a person. Education in India was supported by the community. A gift in support of education was seen as the highest donation (*dāna*). All members of society support the cause of education by offering food, gifts, shelter, etc. The wealthier sections of society substantially supported education by building hostels and making educational endowments (*adhyāyanavṛttis*). பாரதியார் கவிதை-, "*ஆயுதம் செய்வோம்*, நல்ல காகிதம் *செய்வோம்*, ஆலைகள் வைப்போம், கல்வி சாலைகள் வைப்போம், " who advocated the construction of schools. 4 The Saurapurāṇa classified *dāna* into four types: 1. *nitya-dāna*, 2. *naimittika-dāna*, 3. *kāmya-dāna*, 4. *vimala-dāna*. It is stated in the Saurapurāṇa that there is nothing greater than *dāna* in the three worlds. Heaven, sovereignty, peace, beauty, splendour, fame, vigour, victory, power and emancipation can be acquired by giving gifts. By donation one can win his enemy, can destroy disease, can acquire knowledge and spouse. Dāna is one of the best means of attaining *dharma*, *artha*, *kāma* and *mokṣa*. [...] The gift to the poor is highly extolled by the compiler of the Saurapurāṇa. Then the text describes *bhūmidāna*, *vidyādāna*, *annadāna*, *jaladāna*, *tiladāna* , *vāsadāna*, *dīpadāna*, *yānadāna*, *śayyādāna*, *dhānyadāna* etc. along with their accruing results. [...] Thus it appears that the Saurapurāṇa lays emphasis on *dāna* to the devotees of Śiva and categorically says that if somebody surpassing *śivabhaktas* donates to others, his *dāna* becomes futile and he goes to hell. 5 Dana is a Sanskrit and Pali term meaning "generosity" or "giving" Dāna (दान, “gift”) or Tridāna refers to the “three kinds of gifts” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 105) (buddhism) : *dharma-dāna* (the gift of the dharma), *āmiṣa-dāna* (the gift of material things), *maitrī-dāna* (the gift of friendliness). 6 *The Skanda Purana <https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana> by G. V. Tagare **Chapter 208 - Brāhmaṇas Eligible for Dāna ** Section 1 - Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc626787.html>* *Similar thing seen in Agni Puranam also. * *kāni dānāni śastāni kasmai deyāni kānyapi |* * kālaṃ deśaṃ ca pātraṃ ca sarvamācakṣva me vibho || 2 ||* *satyaṃ damastapaḥ śaucaṃ santoṣo'nairṣyamārjavam | jñānaṃ śamo dayā dānametatpātrasya lakṣaṇam || 19 ||{give after ascertaining}* *pitā bhuṃkte dvija kare mukhe bhuṃkte pitāmahaḥ | prapitāmahastālusthaḥ kaṇṭhe mātāmahaḥ smṛtaḥ || 44 || pramātāmahastu hṛdaye vṛddho nābhau tu saṃsthitaḥ | alābhe brāhmaṇasyaiva kuśaḥ kāryo dvijaḥ priye | idaṃ sarvapurāṇebhyaḥ sāramuddhatya cocyate || 45 || [na caitannāstike deyaṃ piśune vedanindake | prātaḥprātaridaṃ śrāvyaṃ pūjayitvā maheśvaram || 46 || kulīnaṃ sarvaśāstrajñaṃ yathā devaṃ maheśvaram | asya dharmasya vaktāraṃ chatraṃ dadyātprapūjayet || 47 || apūjyādvācakādyastu ślokamekaṃ śṛṇoti ca | nāsau puṇyamavāpnoti śāstracauraḥ smṛto hi saḥ || 48 || tasmātsarvaprayatnena pūjayedvācakaṃ budhaḥ | anyathā niṣphalaṃ tasya pustakaśravaṇaṃ bhavet || 49 || yasyaiva tiṣṭhate gehe śāstrametatsadurlabham | tasya devi gṛhe tīrthaiḥ saha tiṣṭhecchivaḥ svayam || 50 || The Devī said:* *1-4. Śruti <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shruti#purana> says: “This should be given. This should be gifted”. I wish to know exactly the details of this Dāna <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dana#purana> (religious gifts) and Ādāna <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/adana#hinduism> (acceptance).* *What are the Dānas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dana#purana> specially recommended. To whom what should be given? O Lord, tell me everything, including the proper time, place and deserving person.* *Īśvara said:* *There are four Vṛthā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vritha#hinduism> Janmas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/janma#purana> (futile births) and sixteen Vṛthā Dānas (futile gifts). Sujanmas (excellent births) are four and Mahādānas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mahadana#purana> (great gifts) are sixteen.* *The Devī said:* *O Lord of Devas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/deva#purana>, O Lord of the universe, do tell me this in detail.* *Īśvara said:* *5-6. Know from me what the four Vṛthā Janmas are:* *(1) Birth of bad sons; (2) of those who are excluded from virtuous society; (3) of those who are in exile and are always enamoured of other men’s wives; and (4) of those who eat what is cooked by others and are attached to other men’s wives is futile. That which cannot be refused is Vṛthā Dāna. O my beloved, what is faulty is also Vṛthā Dāna.* *7. A gift to an Ārūḍhapatita (a Sannyāsin <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sannyasin#hinduism> who has reverted to the Gṛhastha <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/grihastha#purana> stage), (Dāna of) property acquired by illegal means, Dāna unto a Brāhmaṇa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/brahmana#purana>-slayer is futile, that to a (socially) fallen person and a robber is also futile.* *8. A gift to one who causes displeasure to the preceptor, that to an ungrateful person, to a person who acts as the Yājaka of the entire village, what is given to a Brahmabandhu (a Brāhmaṇa in name only) and what is given to a Vṛṣalīpati <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vrishalipati#hinduism>. (husband of a Śūdra <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shudra#purana> woman) is futile.* *9. What is given to a person selling the Veda <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/veda#purana>, to one in whose house there is another husband (i.e. paramour) and what is given to one subdued by a woman (henpecked)—these are the sixteen Vṛthā Dānas (Evidently a few words are missing in the text.)* *10. Sujanmas are: (1) the birth of good sons; (2) of men who are engaged in piety; (3) of those who do not go in exile and (4) of those who are averse to other men’s wives.* *11-12. O great goddess, these are the sixteen Mahādānas[1] <https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc626996.html#note-e-163222>: Cows, gold, silver, jewels, Sarasvatī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sarasvati#purana> (i.e. learning), gingelly seeds, a virgin, an elephant, a horse, a bed, a garment, earth (a plot of land), grain, milk, an umbrella, and a house fully furnished.* *13-14. What is given out of pride or fear or anger, one reaps the result thereof even while one is in the womb. So is the case when something is given with sorrow or offence or for the sake of monetary gain or hypocrisy—he suffers while he is a boy.* *15. If anyone makes a gift at the proper time and place, to a deserving person with pure mind, if one gives what is legitimately earned, one enjoys the fruit thereof in one’s youth.* *16. If anyone makes a gift of an article or wealth illegally got, to a non-deserving person, with mental distress and without caring for the injunctions, he reaps the consequence during old age.* *17. Hence a man should make a gift of what is acquired legally, at the proper time and place, to a deserving person, observing the injunction. He must have perfect faith and he should not have Śāṭhya (bad intention).* *18. They say that a person as this is a deserving person: He should be master in the studies of the Veda and practise Yoga <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/yoga#purana>; he should be quiescent; he should be conversant with Purāṇas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/purana#purana>; he should be afraid of sins; he should be liberal; he should be virtuous; he should be polite to women; he should be one offering refuge to cattle; he should be an observer of Vratas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vrata#purana>.* *19. The following are the characteristics of a deserving person: Truthfulness, mental control, penance, purity, contentment, absence of jealousy, frankness, wisdom, control of sense-organs and compassion.* *20-22. If a devotee gives a splendid cow as a gift to such a deserving person, he will be honoured in Rudraloka <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/rudraloka#purana>. The cow should be Kapilā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kapila#purana> (tawny-coloured) with all good qualities. She should be accompanied by her calf. There should be silver covering to the legs (hooves) and gold (tops) adorning the horns.* *One who has ten cows should make the gift of one cow. One who has a hundred cows shall make the gift of ten cows. One who has a thousand cows shall make the gift of a hundred cows. All are remembered as attaining equal merit.[2] <https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc626996.html#note-e-163223>* *The cow shall be timid and well-behaved. She should have Soma <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/soma#purana> (the fragrance in the month due to the grass and fodder she is accustomed to eat). She should be a milch cow of youthful features accompanied by her calf. Such a cow acquired by fair means should be given to a Brāhmaṇa.* *23. A cow as this should never be given: a barren one, a sickly one, one deficient in limbs, a wicked cow of wild temper, an old cow, a cow whose calf is dead, one acquired illegally and one stationed (tethered) far away.* *24. O great goddess, a man who gives such a cow with a deity in view meets with downfall and undergoes sufferings.* *25. A cow which is angry (nasty-natured), distressed, feeble and sickly should not be given. Nor should a cow the price of which has not been paid (to the owner) be gifted. If someone gives a cow to Brāhmaṇas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/brahmana#purana> that involves them in troubles all the worlds of the donor become futile.* *26. Even if a single (cow) is gifted to a suffering Brāhmaṇa who maintains the sacred fire, to a guest who is a calm and quiescent Brāhmaṇa, a master in the Vedas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vedas#hinduism>, it shall become beneficial many times.* *27. O goddess, if a Brāhmaṇa of poor wisdom sells the cow, he is not considered a deserving person. In fact, he is not (to be) reckoned as a Brāhmaṇa.* *28. Cows, horses, women etc., should not be gifted to several ones (at a time). Divided Dakṣiṇā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dakshina#purana> (monetary and other gifts) does not give merit to a donor.* *29. Those who gift cows go to the region where palaces are golden, beds are resplendent with jewels and where excellent celestial damsels live.* *30. There is no gift on a par with that of a plot of land; there is no river on a par with Gaṅgā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ganga#purana>. There is no greater virtue than truthfulness; there is no god greater than Maheśvara <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/maheshvara#purana>.* *31. A plot of land as this should not be gifted: where there are big boulders and rocks; that which is not level; which is arid (or even in case it is level, an arid land should not be gifted); or a land of no stable shape on the banks of a river.* *32. A person gifting a land dwells in heaven for sixty thousand years. One who seizes the land so gifted, one who abets such act, falls into hell and remains there as many (i.e. 60,000) years.* *33. If a person who is in straitened circumstances commits a sin, he can become pure by offering a plot of land even if it be of the width of a cow’s hide.* *34. Śiva <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shiva#purana>’s world is remembered as the fruit of the gift of these: an umbrella, a bed, a seat, a couch, an elephant, a horse, chowries, virgins and a plot of land.* *35. A householder who has a grandson should not observe fast on Sundays, on days of the transit of the Sun, solar and lunar eclipses, at the time of a gift of a cow, and when the Pāraṇā (breaking of the fast) has to be performed.* *36. If a person has already observed fast for a hundred Ekādaśī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ekadashi#purana> days and wishes for a steady line of progeny, he should not observe fast on Indukṣaya (New-Moon days) and on Saṅkrānti <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sankranti#hinduism> days (transit of the Sun).* *37. It does not make any difference whether Ekādaśī is in the bright half or dark half. Yet there is always an increase of Dharma <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dharma#purana> (virtue, piety) if it falls in the bright half.* *38. If the Daśamī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dashami#hinduism> (tenth day) is overlapped with Ekādaśī and there is Kṣaya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kshaya#purana> (deficiency) in Dvādaśī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dvadashi#hinduism> (12th day) the devotee should take Nakta <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/nakta#purana> (nocturnal) food and shall not observe fast.* *39. If anyone observes fast on the eleventh day but takes Pāraṇā on the thirteenth day, he shall forfeit the benefit of twelve Dvādaśīs <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dvadashi#hinduism>.* *40. One shall not use tooth-pick twigs on the fast days and on Śrāddha <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shraddha#purana> days. If the twig comes into contact with the teeth, seven generations of the family shall become affected.* *41. A person who does not duly observe the anniversary of father’s death, Darśa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/darsha#purana> (New-Moon day) and Paurṇamāsa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/paurnamasa#purana> (Full-Moon day) with due overlapping of the previous (lunar day) will fall into Naraka <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/naraka#purana>.* *42. Loss of (and to) the progeny also has been mentioned; he shall become unfortunate too.* *Now I shall describe the procedure for Śrāddha exactly if there is lack of Dravya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dravya#hinduism> (money, material).* *43-45. One shall perform the Śrāddha of six Piṇḍas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pinda#purana> (rice-balls) by inviting a single Brāhmaṇa (Priest). Six Arghyas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/arghya#purana> should be offered to them (six ancestors) duly. Father present in the hand <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/hand#hinduism> of the Brāhmaṇa takes food from there; grandfather from the mouth. Great-grandfather is present in the palate. Maternal grandfather is remembered as present in the throat. Pra-Mātāmaha (the maternal great-grandfather) is present in the heart and the Vṛddha <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vriddha#hinduism> (the great-great-grandfather) is present in the navel.* *O my beloved, if no Brāhmaṇa is available, Darbha <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/darbha#purana> grass should be made the representative of a Brāhmaṇa. This is being stated after taking the essential from all Purāṇas.* *46. This should not be imparted to an atheist, a calumniator or to one who censures the Veda. Everyday in the morning, this has to be listened to after worshipping Maheśvara.* *47. One should honour and make the gift of an umbrella to one who propounds this ritualistic procedure, who is of noble birth and who is conversant with all the scriptures as though he is Lord Maheśvara himself.* *48. One who listens to even one Śloka <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sloka#hinduism> (verse) from an unworthy Vācaka <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vacaka#hinduism> (reciter or expounder) does not attain merit. He is remembered as Śāstracaura (scripture-thief).* *49. Hence, by all means a wise man should honour the Vācaka (the reader or expounder). Otherwise his listening to the text shall be futile.* *50. If thus a rare scriptural text is present in the house of anyone, O goddess, Śiva shall be present there himself along with the Tīrthas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/tirtha#purana>.* *51-52. Of what avail is much talk? He shall be the deserving recipient of salvation. This should not be offered to an atheist nor to a hypocrite. This should be offered to a tranquil Śaiva <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shaiva#purana> Brāhmaṇa of good mental and physical control.* * 7 **Na ve kadariyā devalokaṃ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/devaloka#pali> vajanti **bālā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bala#theravada> have nappasaṃsanti dānaṃ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dana#theravada>* *Dhīro ca dānaṃ amumodamāno ten'eva so hoti <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/hoti#pali> sukhī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sukhi#pali> parattha <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/parattha#pali>*. (Great King!) Indeed those who are hard and stingy do not attain celestial abodes. The fools, who are ignorant of the present world and the future, indeed do not admire *dāna* and are not happy about it. Only the far-sighted man of wisdom is able to rejoice in *dāna*. For, that very reason of his rejoicing, upon his death, he enjoys divine bliss. 8 The *Matsyapurāṇa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/matsyapurana#purana>* has elaborately discussed about another type of important and expensive dānas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dana#purana> which produce exalted results. These are called merudānas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/merudana#purana>. *Meru <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/meru#purana>* means hill and in this in this type of *dāna <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dana#purana>*, hills of different things like salt, grain, gold, cotton <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/cotton#history> etc. are prescribed for donation. Ten types of *merudāna <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/merudana#purana>* are elaborated here. They are: 1. *dhānyaśaila <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dhanyashaila#purana>* (hill of grain), 2. *lavaṇācala <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/lavanacala#purana>* (hill of salt), 3. *guḍācala* (hill of molasses), 4. *hemaparvata <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/hemaparvata#purana>* (hill of gold), 5. *tilaśaila* (hill of sesamum), 6. *kārpāsaparvata <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/karpasaparvata#purana>* (hill of cotton), 7. *ghṛtaśaila <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ghritashaila#purana>* (hill of clarified butter), 8. *ratnaśaila <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ratnashaila#purana>* (hill of jewels), 9. *rajatācala* (hill of silver) and 10. *śarkarācala <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sharkaracala#purana>* (hill of sugar). The performer of these dānas attains highest of the climes and is respected by all devas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/deva#purana>. 9 குறள் 72 <https://www.ytamizh.com/thirukural/kural-72/>: அன்பிலார் எல்லாம் தமக்குரியர் அன்புடையார் என்பும் உரியர் பிறர்க்கு. அன்பு இல்லாதவர் எல்லாப்பொருள்களையும் தமக்கே உரிமையாகக் கொண்டு வாழ்வார்: அன்பு உடையவர் தம் உடமையும் பிறர்க்கு உரிமையாக்கி வாழ்வர். The loveless to themselves belong alone; The loving men are others' to the very bone Those who are destitute of love appropriate all they have to themselves; but those who possess love consider even their bones to belong to others anpilaar ellaam thamakkuriyar anputaiyaar enpum uriyar piRarkku (Rishi Datheechi to Indra to do Vajrayutham.) (dharmam even at the cost of death as Karnan dd. 10 A dried amla tendered to Adi Shankara rendered Golden Rain and Kanaka dhara stotram. KR IRS 81221 On Wed, 8 Dec 2021 at 04:30, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 < [email protected]> wrote: > DIVINE INFORMATION 2-36 > > Matsya Purana Last part…29 > > Posted by: "DILIP KUMAR RAVINDRAN" [email protected] prdili Mon > Oct 11, 2010 6:47 am (PDT) > > Donations > > There are different methods of donating alms. > > One of the most sacred is known as tulapurusha. In this, a pair of scales > is used. The person who is donating the alms ascends on one side of the > scales and gold is placed on the other side until the scales are exactly > balanced. This is the amount of gold that has to be donated if punya is > to be acquired. > > A second sort of donation is known as hiranyagarbha. In this , a > pot full of gold is donated. > > In a third form of donation a model of the universe (brahmanda) is > fashioned out of gold and donated. This form of donation is therfore known > as brahmanda. > > What of the fourth form of donation, known as kalpadapa? In this, > a tree is made out of gold and donated. > > The fifth form of donation is known as gosahasra and involves the donation > of a thousand cows. > > The sixth form of donation is known as kamadhenu. The object of > donation in this case is *a cow and calf, both made out of gold. * > > *My note- It is told a cow and calf drinking milk made out of silver is > auspicious to keep in pooja room/ cash chest .* > > The seventh form of donation is similar and is known as hiranyashva. A > horse > made out of gold is donated. > > The eighth form of donation is called ashvaratha. A horse (ashva) > and four chariots (ratha) have to be donated and both have to be made > out of gold. > > Hemahastiratha is the ninth form of donation. The objects or donation in > this case are an elephant and a chariot made out of gold. > > The tenth form of donation is known as panchalngalaka. In this case, ten > ploughs are donated. Five of them have to be made of wood and the remaining > five have to be made of gold. > > The eleven form of donation is dhara. In this case, a golden model of the > earth is donated. > > The twelfth form of donation is known as vishvachakra. The object that is > donated is again a model made out of gold. The model is that of the universe > in the shape of a wheel. > > The thirteenth form of donation is mahakalapalaka. Ten creepers made out of > god are donated. > > The fourteenth form of donation is saptasagara. Pits are made in the ground, > there being seven of them. Each pit stands for one of the seven > oceans. > In the first pit is put salt, in the second milk, in the third clarified > butter, in the fourth molasses, in the fifth curds, in the sixth sugar > and in the seventh holy water. An image of a god or goddess is then > placed in each pit- Brahma in the first, Vishnu in the second, Shiva in the > third, Surya in the fourth, Yama in the fifth. Lakshmi in the sixth and > Parvati in the seventh. The images must be made out of gold. The pits > are then filed to the brim with jewels and the entire contents > donated. > > The fifteenth form of donation is called ratnadhenu. In this case, a cow > made out of gold is donated. The nose, the eyes, the brows and various > other > parts of the cow should be made out of jewels. > > The sixteen form of donation is called mahabhutaghata. A pot is made out of > gold, filled with jewels and donated. > > The above different forms of donation are superior to all other forms of > donation, and bring undying punya. > > Epilogue > > Lomaharshana completed his recital of the Matsya Purana. > > This text is exceedingly sacred. A person who reads even one chapter of the > text goes to heaven and all his sins are forgiven. > > > > The sages thanked Lomaharshana and departed. Here ends Matsya Purana . > > *Posted to google groups on 8-12-2021 by R. Gopalakrishnan* > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "iyer123" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/2080552933.1023688.1638918031572%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/2080552933.1023688.1638918031572%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoo78f_7gK%3Dtjx4uYwwdjbCD_%2BXd57MGuEVpEgFhVp%3DPmw%40mail.gmail.com.
