8,246
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
adding content and citations
Appropriate item for charity, Danavastu, is called Deyam (Samskrit : देयम्) is a vast topic described in the ancient hindu literature.
Appropriate item for charity, Danavastu, called Deyam (Samskrit : देयम्) is a vast topic described in the ancient hindu literature. Among the deya things, many puranas refer to different things as best, medium and of least significance each in a different way. Example : Skanda purana refers to curd and honey dana is of least type<ref name=":0">Agarwal, Sanjay. (2010) ''Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India.'' New Delhi: AccountAid, India</ref> whereas they are among the best according to Hemadri (Page 16 of Reference<ref name=":2">Pt. Bharatachandra Siromani (1873) ''[https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.424417/2015.424417.chaturvarga-chintamani#page/n45/mode/2up Chaturvarga Chintamani by Hemadri, Vol 1, Dana kanda.]'' Calcutta: The Asiatic Society of Bengal</ref>).
== Definition of Deyam ==
A simple definition of Deyam as given by Devala quoted in Chaturvarga Chintamani of Hemadri is<blockquote>अपराबाधमक्लेशं प्रयत्नेनार्जीतं धनम् । स्वल्पं वा विपुलं वापि देयमित्यभिदीयते ॥ (Page 15 of Ref <ref name=":2" />)</blockquote>Meaning : That is deyam, (proper subject for a gift) which has been acquired by the donor himself without causing pain or loss to another or without worry of trouble to himself, whether it be small or valuable.<ref name=":1">Kane, Pandurang. Vaman. (1941) ''History of Dharmasastra, Volume Two, Part 2.'' Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>
It is not the extent of the gift that causes greater or lesser merit. Merit (punya) depends upon the mental attitude, the capacity of the giver and the way in which the donor acquired his wealth.
If a man were to given even the whole earth acquired by unjust means, or if he gives without shraddha or to an unsuitable recipient, he would secure no prosperity (religious merit) thereby. On the other hand, even a handful of vegetables with a heart full of shraddha given to a worthy person, secure him all prosperity.<ref name=":1" /> Instantly, the offer of amla (small gooseberry) to Adi Shankaracharya (the worthiest recipient) which secured immense prosperity to the donor, comes to one's mind.
If one possessing a thousand gives away a gift of 100 or one having ten gives away 1 and another gives only water according to his ability, they all reap an equal reward.<ref name=":1" />
== Deya Things ==
Yajnavalkya smriti
Among the different things classified as Deyam, a different view of Hemadri quoting Devala is as follows:<blockquote>अन्नं दधि मधु त्राणं गोभूरुक्माश्वहस्तिनः । दानान्युत्तमदानानि उत्तमद्रव्यदानतः ॥</blockquote><blockquote>विद्यादानादनावास-परिभोगौषधानि च । दानानि मध्यमानीह मध्यद्रव्यदानतः ॥</blockquote><blockquote>परिभोग इति परिभोगसाधनं खट्वासनादि । उपानत्प्रेङ्खयानानि छत्रपात्रासनानि च । दीपकाष्ठफलादीनि चरमं बहुवार्षिकम् ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>बहुत्वादर्थजातानां संख्या शेषेषु नेष्यते ।अधमान्यवशिष्टानि सर्व्वदानान्यती विदुः ॥ (Page 16 of Reference<ref name=":2" />).</blockquote>Summary : Food, curds, honey, protection, cow, land, gold, horses and elephants - gifts of these nine are said to be uttama (best). Vidya (gift of education), house for unsheltered, domestic household items of comfort (परिभोग such as cots), medicines - gifts of these four are said to be of medium level. Shoes, swings, carts, umbrellas, vessals, seat to sit, lamps, wood, fruits, whatever is old and worn out, and all other unspecified objects are inferior.<ref name=":1" />