Changes

=== Mahabharata ===

=== Mahabharata ===

A complete exposition of various items and things for donation and the rewards obtained by doing so is given in the Anushasana parva (Danadharma parva)<ref>Pt. Ramnarayandatt Shastri. ''[https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n267/mode/2up Mahabharata with Hindi Translation, Volume 6.]'' Gorakhpur : Gita Press</ref> of Mahabharata.   

A complete exposition of various items and things for donation and the rewards obtained by doing so is given in the Anushasana parva (Danadharma parva)<ref>Pt. Ramnarayandatt Shastri. ''[https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n267/mode/2up Mahabharata with Hindi Translation, Volume 6.]'' (Anushasana Parva Adhyaya 57). Gorakhpur : Gita Press</ref> of Mahabharata.   

== Best of Dana ==

== Best of Dana ==

Although various occasions have different things prescribed as deyam according to texts, following are considered as the greatest of gifts donating which brings unsurpassed rewards to the donor.<ref name=":1" />

Although various occasions have different things prescribed as deyam according to texts, following are considered as the greatest of gifts donating which brings unsurpassed rewards to the donor.<ref name=":1" />

'''Vidyadana''' : Along with Vashistha dharmasutras, Manusmriti (4.233) and Atrismriti (340), Yajnavalkya smriti (1.212) say that the gift of vidya (vidyadana) is foremost among other gifts such as those of water, food, cows, land, garments, sesame, gold and clarified butter.

'''Vidyadana''' : Along with Vashistha dharmasutras, Manusmriti (4.233) and Atrismriti (340), Yajnavalkya smriti (1.212) say that vidyadana (the gift of vidya) is foremost among other gifts such as those of water, food, cows, land, garments, sesame, gold and clarified butter.

'''[[Annadana (अन्नदानम्)|Annadana]]''' : Mahabharata, Vanaparva describes annadana as one which bestows immense punya and is equal to no other gift.<blockquote>तस्मात् त्वं सर्वदानानि हित्वान्नं सम्प्रयच्छह न हीदृशं पुण्यफलं विचित्रमिह विद्यते। (Maha. Vana. 200.35)</blockquote><blockquote>अन्नमेव विशिष्टं हि तस्मात्परतरं न च॥ (Maha. Vana. 200.37)</blockquote>'''Bhudana''' : According to Vashishta Dharmasutras (29.16) Matsya Purana and Mahabharata Anushasana parva (62.6 and 19), the gift of land is proclaimed to be the highest of dana.   

 

'''[[Annadana (अन्नदानम्)|Annadana]]''' : Mahabharata, Vanaparva describes annadana (gift of food) as one which bestows immense punya and is equal to no other gift.<blockquote>तस्मात् त्वं सर्वदानानि हित्वान्नं सम्प्रयच्छह न हीदृशं पुण्यफलं विचित्रमिह विद्यते। (Maha. Vana. 200.35)</blockquote><blockquote>अन्नमेव विशिष्टं हि तस्मात्परतरं न च॥ (Maha. Vana. 200.37)</blockquote>'''Bhudana''' : According to Vashishta Dharmasutras (29.16) Matsya Purana and Mahabharata Anushasana parva (Adhyaya 62), the gift of land, is proclaimed to be the highest of dana.  <blockquote>अतिदानानि सर्वाणि पृथवीदानमुच्यते । अचला ह्यक्षया भूमिर्दोग्ध्री कामानिहोत्तमान् ॥ (Maha. Anush. 62.2)<ref>Pt. Ramnarayandatt Shastri. ''[https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n281/mode/2up Mahabharata with Hindi Translation, Volume 6.]'' (Anushasana Parva Adhyaya 62). Gorakhpur : Gita Press</ref></blockquote>Bhishma says 'It is said that the greatest of all great danas is prthvidana (पृथवीदानम्). Prthvi is immovable and imperishable. It bestows the best of pleasures in this world.

'''Abhayadana''' : Vishnudharmasutras (92.1) says that the gift of protection from danger is the highest.

'''Abhayadana''' : Vishnudharmasutras (92.1) says that the gift of protection from danger is the highest.