Changes

* नवनीतधेनुः । Navanitadhenu (butter)

* नवनीतधेनुः । Navanitadhenu (butter)

* रत्नधेनुः । Ratnadhenu (precious stones)

* रत्नधेनुः । Ratnadhenu (precious stones)

}}These mostly follow the same template: a motif of a cow and calf made on a dark coloured antelope skin laid on the floor, cleaned with cowdung and has been covered with kusha grass with the neck portion facing east direction. A smaller skin (represents a calf) is also spread prepared in the same manner. The body is made with main item of the daan, for example if jaggery is the item to be donated a mound of 2 or 4 bharas (a unit of measure) is placed on the skin. If this is in liquid form, then pots are used to keep the material. If the material is dry, then it is kept in a mound. Various articles such as conch shells, sugarcane pieces, pearls, chowries, corals are placed on the skin to represent various limbs of the cow. This is then worshipped with dhupa (incense) and lamps and invoked with pauranika mantras. The the articles are donated to a brahmana.<ref name=":1" />

}}These mostly follow the same template: a motif of a cow and calf made on a dark coloured antelope skin laid on the floor, cleaned with cowdung and has been covered with kusha grass with the neck portion facing east direction. A smaller skin (represents a calf) is also spread prepared in the same manner. The body is made with main item of the dana, for example if jaggery is the item to be donated a mound of 2 or 4 bharas (a unit of measure) is placed on the skin. If this is in liquid form, then pots are used to keep the material. If the material is dry, then it is kept in a mound. Various articles such as conch shells, sugarcane pieces, pearls, chowries, corals are placed on the skin to represent various limbs of the cow. This is then worshipped with dhupa (incense) and lamps and invoked with pauranika mantras. The the articles are donated to a brahmana.<ref name=":1" />

=== Parvatadana (पर्वतदानानि) ===

=== Parvatadana (पर्वतदानानि) ===

=== Merudana (मेरुदानानि) ===

=== Merudana (मेरुदानानि) ===

This daan is performed after observing Meru Vrata on Kartika Poornima as described in Agnipurana (Adhyaya 212). It can also be made on Sankranti when surya transits into a new zodiac (takes 30 days). Meru refers to a legendary sacred mountain, considered to be the centre of Universe. Meru daan refers to a pile (symbolizing Meru mountain) made with a particular item, surrounded by twelve smaller piles (symbolizing Malyavaan, Bhadrashv, Riksh, Nishadh, Hemkoot, Himvaan/ Himalaya, Neel, Shwet, Shringvan, Gandhmaadan, Vaikang and Ketumaal mountains).  Different forms of Meru Daan are:<ref name=":0" />

This dana is performed after observing Meru Vrata on Kartika Poornima as described in Agnipurana (Adhyaya 212). It can also be made on Sankranti when surya transits into a new zodiac (takes 30 days). Meru refers to a legendary sacred mountain, considered to be the centre of Universe. Meru dana refers to a pile (symbolizing Meru mountain) made with a particular item, surrounded by twelve smaller piles (symbolizing Malyavaan, Bhadrashv, Riksh, Nishadh, Hemkoot, Himvaan/ Himalaya, Neel, Shwet, Shringvan, Gandhmaadan, Vaikang and Ketumaal mountains).  Different forms of Meru Dana are:<ref name=":0" />

1. Ratn Meru  

1. Ratna Meru  

2. Suvarn Meru  

2. Suvarna Meru  

3. Rajat Meru  

3. Rajata Meru  

4. Bhoomi Meru  

4. Bhoomi Meru  

5. Hasti Meru

5. Hasti Meru

6. Ashv Meru  

6. Ashva Meru  

7. Gau Meru

7. Go Meru

8. Vastra Meru  

8. Vastra Meru  

9. Ajya Meru  

9. Ajya Meru  

10. Khaand Meru  

10. Khanda Meru  

11. Dhanya Meru  

11. Dhanya Meru  

12. Til Meru  

12. Tila Meru  

=== Tila Dana ===

=== Tila Dana (तिलदानम्) ===

Donation of sesame is very important and many special forms of this have evolved, each with a specific purpose. Specific forms of Til Daan are:

Donation of sesame is very important and many special forms of this have evolved, each with a specific purpose. Specific forms of Til Dana are:

1. Til Rashi Daan

1. Tila Rashi Dana

2. Til Patra Daan

2. Tila Patra Dana

3. Maha Til Patra Daan

3. Maha Til Patra Dana

4. Til Padm Daan

4. Tila Padma Dana

5. Til Poorn Kamsya Patra Daan

5. Tila Poorna Kamsya Patra Dana

6. Til Kumbh Daan

6. Tila Kumbha Dana

7. Til Karak Daan

7. Tila Karaka Dana

8. Tilaranjak Daan

8. Tilaranjaka Dana

9. Til Peeth Daan

9. Tila Peetha Dana

10. Til Adarsh Daan

10. Tila Adarsha Dana

11. Ahamkar Daan

11. Ahamkara Dana

12. Rudra Ekadash Til Daan

12. Rudra Ekadashi Til Dana

13. Til Garbh Daan

13. Tila Garbha Dana

Tila dana is done to expiate one from various sins, including patricide. Significance of Tila dana is for healing as remedy to cure many diseases such as tuberculosis, skin diseases such as eczema, leprosy, speech impediment and mental diseases such as hallucinations and nightmares.<ref name=":0" />  

Tila dana is done to expiate one from various sins, including patricide. Significance of Tila dana is noted for healing as remedy to cure many diseases such as tuberculosis, skin diseases such as eczema, leprosy, speech impediment and mental diseases such as hallucinations and nightmares.<ref name=":0" />  

=== Grahashanti Dana ===

=== Grahashanti Dana (ग्रहशान्तिदानम्) ===

Yajnavalkya smriti (1.295 to 308) deals extensively with Grahashanti or propitiation of planets. He who desires for prosperity, averting calamities, good rains, long life and health should perform yajnas to propitiate the nine grahas (planets) viz. ravi (sun), chandra (moon), kuja (mars), budha (mercury), guru (jupiter), sukra (venus), sani (saturn), Rahu and Ketu grahas. The Matsya purana (Adhyaya 93) contains a detailed procedure of grahashanti and adhyaya 94 describes how the images of nine planets are to be represented. In modern times the articles to be donated to propitiate the nine planets are stated in Dharmasindhu (Vol 2, Part 2)<ref name=":1" />

Yajnavalkya smriti (1.295 to 308) deals extensively with Grahashanti or propitiation of planets for beneficial results. He who desires for prosperity, to avert calamities, get good rains, long life and health should perform yajnas to propitiate the nine grahas (planets) viz. ravi (sun), chandra (moon), kuja (mars), budha (mercury), guru (jupiter), sukra (venus), sani (saturn), Rahu and Ketu grahas. The Matsya purana (Adhyaya 93) contains a detailed procedure of grahashanti and adhyaya 94 describes how the images of nine planets are to be represented. In modern times the articles to be donated to propitiate the nine planets are stated in Dharmasindhu (Vol 2, Part 2)<ref name=":1" />

== References ==

== References ==