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→Importance of Utsarga: editing
In Rigveda, mandala 10, a mention of pushkarini is made as given<blockquote>भोजायाश्वं सं मृजन्त्याशुं भोजायास्ते कन्या शुम्भमाना । भोजस्येदं पुष्करिणीव वेश्म परिष्कृतं देवमानेव चित्रम् ॥१०॥ (Rig. Veda. 10.107.10)</blockquote>The Vishnu Smrti (Adhyaya 91)<ref name=":1">Vishnu Smrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%8F%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%BD%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 91])</ref> extensively deals with the rewards obtained by conducting acts of digging wells, planting trees, building new temples and renovating dilapidated temples.
In Rigveda, mandala 10, a mention of pushkarini is made as given<blockquote>भोजायाश्वं सं मृजन्त्याशुं भोजायास्ते कन्या शुम्भमाना । भोजस्येदं पुष्करिणीव वेश्म परिष्कृतं देवमानेव चित्रम् ॥१०॥ (Rig. Veda. 10.107.10)</blockquote>The Vishnu Smrti (Adhyaya 91)<ref name=":1">Vishnu Smrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%8F%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%BD%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 91])</ref> extensively deals with the rewards obtained by conducting acts of digging wells, planting trees, building new temples and renovating dilapidated temples.
Even later day Samskrit texts such as Kadambari by Banabhatta mentions that smritis enjoined upon men the foundation (for public use) of halls, shelters, wells, prapas (water sheds), gardens, temples, embankments, and water wheels. <blockquote>इष्टापूर्तौ स्मृतौ धर्मौ श्रुतौ तौ शिष्टसंमतौ । भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं पूर्तमिष्टं भोगार्थसाधनम् ॥ Kalika Purana <ref name=":0" /></blockquote>It is said that the reward of sacrifices is only heaven, but by purta (consecration of temples etc) one secures release from samsara as per Kalika purana.
Even later day Samskrit texts such as Kadambari by Banabhatta mentions that smritis enjoined upon men the foundation (for public use) of halls, shelters, wells, prapas (water sheds), gardens, temples, embankments, and water wheels. <blockquote>इष्टापूर्तौ स्मृतौ धर्मौ श्रुतौ तौ शिष्टसंमतौ । भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं पूर्तमिष्टं भोगार्थसाधनम् ॥ Kalika Purana <ref name=":0" /></blockquote>It is said that the reward of sacrifices is only heaven, but by purta (consecration of temples etc) one secures release from samsara as per Kalika purana.<ref name=":0" />
Mahabharata, Danadharma parva of Anushasana parva extolls the greatness of charity to brahmanas as well as that made to community.
Mahabharata, Danadharma parva of Anushasana parva extolls the greatness of charity to brahmanas as well as that made to community.
This shows that charitable works for the use of the public or large sections of the public came to be regarded as more meritorious than sacrifices where gifts benefited only brahmanas.
This shows that charitable works for the use of the public or large sections of the public came to be regarded as more meritorious than sacrifices where gifts benefited only brahmanas.<ref name=":0" />
== जलाशयोत्सर्गत्वम् ॥ Utsarga of Jalashaya ==
== जलाशयोत्सर्गत्वम् ॥ Utsarga of Jalashaya ==
Providing water for travellers or general public through dedication of Jalashaya (wells, ponds and reservoirs) has been praised in several texts. That the beings of all worlds depend in water and so having water reservoirs, ponds, lakes is well documented in the words of Bhishma as follows<blockquote>देवा मनुष्यगन्धर्वाः पितरोरगराक्षसाः। स्थावराणि च भूतानि संश्रयन्ति जलाशयम्॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.58.8)</blockquote>Devatas, human beings, gandharvas, forefathers, nagas, rakshasas and all the immobile beings (such as plants and trees) are dependent on water bodies (for sustenance).
Reservoirs of water that are dug out by man are of four kinds, viz.,<ref name=":0" />
# कूपः ॥ Kupa : a well (5 to 50 cubits in length or in diameter if circular), generally with no flight of steps to reach the water.
# वापी ॥ Vapi : a slightly bigger well (50 to 100 cubits) with a flight of steps on all sides or on three or two sides or even only one side.
# पुष्करिणी ॥ Pushkarini : is a water body, a pond from 100 to 200 cubits in length or diameter.
# तडागः ॥ Tadaga : is a tank from 200 to 800 cubits in length or diameter.
Providing water for travellers or general public through dedication of Jalashaya (wells, ponds and reservoirs) is an ancient practice. That the beings of all worlds depend in water and so having water reservoirs, ponds, lakes is well documented in the words of Bhishma as follows<blockquote>देवा मनुष्यगन्धर्वाः पितरोरगराक्षसाः। स्थावराणि च भूतानि संश्रयन्ति जलाशयम्॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.58.8)</blockquote>Devatas, human beings, gandharvas, forefathers, nagas, rakshasas and all the immobile beings (such as plants and trees) are dependent on water bodies (for sustenance).
Detailed guidance for construction of water bodies is given in traditional texts. It is also preserved among local communities and artisans.
Detailed guidance for construction of water bodies is given in traditional texts. It is also preserved among local communities and artisans.
Dust from elephant stables, horse stables, valmeeka (ant-hill), river confluence, cow-hoof dust, cow-shed and cross-roads is also used in the ceremonies. After the rituals, 25-100 cows are given as dakshina to Brahmins. Finally, one of the cows is made to enter the pond briefly, and the donor is required to wade after her, holding on to her tail. The metal tortoise, etc. from the jewelled pot are then placed in the pond at various places. The pot itself, containing curd, rice and water from a great river, is emptied in to the pond. The pond is then dedicated for public use.
Dust from elephant stables, horse stables, valmeeka (ant-hill), river confluence, cow-hoof dust, cow-shed and cross-roads is also used in the ceremonies. After the rituals, 25-100 cows are given as dakshina to Brahmins. Finally, one of the cows is made to enter the pond briefly, and the donor is required to wade after her, holding on to her tail. The metal tortoise, etc. from the jewelled pot are then placed in the pond at various places. The pot itself, containing curd, rice and water from a great river, is emptied in to the pond. The pond is then dedicated for public use.
The havana ritual continues for another four days, when finally the mandapa is broken up. The items used in the havana are distributed to the Brahmins who performed the ceremonies. The ceremony ends with a feast for 20-1000 Brahmins. If funds are a constraint, a simpler dedication ceremony can be performed.
The havana ritual continues for another four days, when finally the mandapa is broken up. The items used in the havana are distributed to the Brahmins who performed the ceremonies. The ceremony ends with a feast for 20-1000 Brahmins. If funds are a constraint, a simpler dedication ceremony can be performed.<ref name=":02" />
=== Mahabharata ===
=== Mahabharata ===