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The 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>).

The 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 (पुराणानि)|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 ==

== 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>

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><blockquote>''aparābādhamakleśaṁ prayatnenārjītaṁ dhanam । svalpaṁ vā vipulaṁ vāpi deyamityabhidīyate ॥''</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.  

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 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 (आदिशङ्कराचार्यः)|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" />

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 ==

== Deya Things ==

Among many things that are given in general for dana such as food, land, cows, gold, honey, clothes, lamps, education etc, on special occasions such as during shrarddha, sesame are given. A brief exposure to different items for gift is given in the following section as explained in a few texts as follows:

Among many things that are given in general for dana such as food, land, cows, gold, honey, clothes, lamps, education etc, on special occasions such as during [[Shraddha (श्राद्धम्)|shraddha]], sesame are given. A brief exposure to different items for gift is given in the following section as explained in a few texts as follows:

=== Yajnavalkya smriti ===

=== Yajnavalkya smriti ===

According to this smriti, a person making a gift of land (capable of yielding a crop or fruits), lamp, wood, garment, water (water reservoir), sesame, ghee, rest house for travellers,  money for getting a person married, gold, draught ox, is honoured in the heavenly world.  One who makes a gift of a house, corn, protection from danger, shoes, umbrella, flowers, fragrances, conveyance (chariot etc), tree, a desired thing, a cot secures endless happiness.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>भूदीपांश् चान्नवस्त्राम्भस्- तिलसर्पिःप्रतिश्रयान् । नैवेशिकं स्वर्णधुर्यं दत्त्वा स्वर्गे महीयते ॥ यास्मृ१.२१० ॥</blockquote><blockquote>गृहधान्याभयोपानच्- छत्रमाल्यानुलेपनम् । यानं वृक्षं प्रियं शय्यां दत्त्वात्यन्तं सुखी भवेत् ॥ यास्मृ१.२११ ॥ (Yajn. Smri. 1.210 and 211)<ref>Yajnavalkya Smriti ([https://sa.wikibooks.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhayaya 1 Acharyadhyaya])</ref></blockquote>

According to this smriti, a person making a gift of land (capable of yielding a crop or fruits), lamp, wood, garment, water (water reservoir), sesame, ghee, rest house for travellers,  money for getting a person married, gold, draught ox, is honoured in the heavenly world.  One who makes a gift of a house, corn, protection from danger, shoes, umbrella, flowers, fragrances, conveyance (chariot etc), tree, a desired thing, a cot secures endless happiness.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>भूदीपांश् चान्नवस्त्राम्भस्- तिलसर्पिःप्रतिश्रयान् । नैवेशिकं स्वर्णधुर्यं दत्त्वा स्वर्गे महीयते ॥ यास्मृ१.२१० ॥</blockquote><blockquote>गृहधान्याभयोपानच्- छत्रमाल्यानुलेपनम् । यानं वृक्षं प्रियं शय्यां दत्त्वात्यन्तं सुखी भवेत् ॥ यास्मृ१.२११ ॥ (Yajn. Smri. 1.210 and 211)<ref>Yajnavalkya Smriti ([https://sa.wikibooks.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhayaya 1 Acharyadhyaya])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''bhūdīpāṁś cānnavastrāmbhas- tilasarpiḥpratiśrayān । naiveśikaṁ svarṇadhuryaṁ dattvā svarge mahīyate ॥ yāsmr̥1.210 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''gr̥hadhānyābhayopānac- chatramālyānulepanam । yānaṁ vr̥kṣaṁ priyaṁ śayyāṁ dattvātyantaṁ sukhī bhavet ॥ yāsmr̥1.211 ॥ (Yajn. Smri. 1.210 and 211)''</blockquote>

=== Vashistha Dharmasutras ===

=== Vashistha Dharmasutras ===

Gifts of three things are said to be superior to the gift of anything else, and are styled '''Atidana,''' namely of cows, land, and Sarasvati (vidya) according to Vashishta Dharmasutras. <blockquote>त्रीण्याहुरतिदानानि गावः पृथ्वी सरस्वती । अतिदानं हि दानानां विध्दानं ततोऽधिकम्॥ (Vash. Dhar. 29.19)<ref>Vashistha Dharmasutras ([http://www.hinduonline.co/vedicreserve/kalpa/dharma/vasishtha_dharma_sutra.pdf Adhyaya 29])</ref></blockquote>

Gifts of three things are said to be superior to the gift of anything else, and are styled '''Atidana,''' namely of cows, land, and Sarasvati (vidya) according to Vashishta Dharmasutras. <blockquote>त्रीण्याहुरतिदानानि गावः पृथ्वी सरस्वती । अतिदानं हि दानानां विध्दानं ततोऽधिकम्॥ (Vash. Dhar. 29.19)<ref>Vashistha Dharmasutras ([http://www.hinduonline.co/vedicreserve/kalpa/dharma/vasishtha_dharma_sutra.pdf Adhyaya 29])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''trīṇyāhuratidānāni gāvaḥ pr̥thvī sarasvatī । atidānaṁ hi dānānāṁ vidhdānaṁ tato'dhikam॥ (Vash. Dhar. 29.19)''</blockquote>

=== Chaturvarga Chintamani ===

=== Chaturvarga Chintamani ===

Among the various 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" />

Among the various 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><blockquote>''annaṁ dadhi madhu trāṇaṁ gobhūrukmāśvahastinaḥ । dānānyuttamadānāni uttamadravyadānataḥ ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''vidyādānādanāvāsa-paribhogauṣadhāni ca । dānāni madhyamānīha madhyadravyadānataḥ ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''paribhoga iti paribhogasādhanaṁ khaṭvāsanādi । upānatpreṅkhayānāni chatrapātrāsanāni ca । dīpakāṣṭhaphalādīni caramaṁ bahuvārṣikam ॥'' </blockquote><blockquote>''bahutvādarthajātānāṁ saṁkhyā śeṣeṣu neṣyate ।adhamānyavaśiṣṭāni sarvvadānānyatī viduḥ ॥ (Page 16 of Reference).''</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" />

=== 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.]'' (Anushasana Parva Adhyaya 57). 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 (महाभारतम्)|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 vidyadana (the gift of vidya) is foremost among other gifts such as those of water, food, cows, land, garments, sesame, gold and clarified butter.

'''Vidyadana''' : Along with Vashistha dharmasutras, [[Manusmrti (मनुस्मृतिः)|Manusmriti]] (4.233) and Atrismriti (340), [[Yajnavalkya Smrti (याज्ञवल्क्यस्मृतिः)|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.

'''Jaladana''' : Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva describes jaladana (the gift of water) to the thirsty as the greatest of gifts and charity. <blockquote>सर्वदानैर्गुरुतरं सर्वगानैर्विशिष्यते । पानीयं नरशार्दूल तस्माद् दातव्यमेव हि॥ (Maha. Anush. 58.21) <ref name=":22">Pt. Ramnarayandatt Shastri. ''[https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n271/mode/2up Mahabharata with Hindi Translation, Volume 6.]'' (Anushasana Parva Adhyaya 58) Gorakhpur : Gita Press</ref></blockquote>Bhishma says 'O Narashardula (Lion among men)  jaladana (gift of water) is the greatest and supreme among all danas, hence it should always be performed.'

'''Jaladana''' : Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva describes jaladana (the gift of water) to the thirsty as the greatest of gifts and charity. <blockquote>सर्वदानैर्गुरुतरं सर्वगानैर्विशिष्यते । पानीयं नरशार्दूल तस्माद् दातव्यमेव हि॥ (Maha. Anush. 58.21) <ref name=":22">Pt. Ramnarayandatt Shastri. ''[https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n271/mode/2up Mahabharata with Hindi Translation, Volume 6.]'' (Anushasana Parva Adhyaya 58) Gorakhpur : Gita Press</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''sarvadānairgurutaraṁ sarvagānairviśiṣyate । pānīyaṁ naraśārdūla tasmād dātavyameva hi॥ (Maha. Anush. 58.21)''</blockquote>Bhishma says 'O Narashardula (Lion among men)  jaladana (gift of water) is the greatest and supreme among all danas, hence it should always be performed.'

'''[[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.

'''[[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><blockquote>''tasmāt tvaṁ sarvadānāni hitvānnaṁ samprayacchaha na hīdr̥śaṁ puṇyaphalaṁ vicitramiha vidyate। (Maha. Vana. 200.35)''</blockquote><blockquote>''annameva viśiṣṭaṁ hi tasmātparataraṁ na ca॥ (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><blockquote>''atidānāni sarvāṇi pr̥thavīdānamucyate । acalā hyakṣayā bhūmirdogdhrī kāmānihottamān ॥ (Maha. Anush. 62.2)''</blockquote>[[Bhishma (भीष्मः)|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.