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Line 25: − + − + − '''Mahadanas''' : These include the Dashadanas (दशदानानि) which are ten in number and Shodashadanas (षोडशदानानि) which constitute donation of 16 kinds of things. These are described in great detail in Matsya Purana. Each of these is considered sacred and is expected to enhance the donor's age and virtue, to absolve one of all guilt and save him/her from nightmares. While the shodasha danas are clearly royal gifts or ones that are feasible only for the very rich, dasha danas are for people with more limited means. Both are accompanied by dakshina to the brahmins and elaborate rituals, ceremonies, feast for the guest and annadana and vastradana to the poor. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
→Dana Forms
'''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 the gift of vidya (vidyadana) is foremost among other gifts such as those of water, food, cows, land, garments, sesame, gold and clarified butter.
'''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 Mahabharata Anushasana parva (62.6), the gift of land is proclaimed to be the highest of dana.
'''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.
'''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.
== Dana Forms ==
== Dana Forms ==
Danas of various types are seen associated with individual's religious activities such as yajna, yaga, shraaddha, vratas, and samskaras, during eclipses and sankranti (sun's passage into a zodiac sign), teerthayatras. Dana for community benefit is called as Utsarga, which was mainly taken up by the governance involving kings and emperors.
Danas of various types are seen associated with individual's religious activities such as yajna, yaga, shraaddha, vratas, and samskaras, during eclipses and sankranti (sun's passage into a zodiac sign), teerthayatras. Dana for community benefit is called as Utsarga, which was mainly taken up by the governance involving kings and emperors. Gifts of certain kinds are called Mahadanas.
=== Mahadanas ===
These include the Dashadanas (दशदानानि) which are ten in number and Shodashadanas (षोडशदानानि) which constitute donation of 16 kinds of things. Though there some items of dana are found to be overlapping, the procedures are different. These are described in great detail in Puranas viz.
Dashadanas : Agnipurana (209.23-24) describes them in detail - dana of gold, horses, sesame, elephants, maids, chariots, land, houses, a bride, and a dark - brown (kapila) cow constitute the ten dashadanas.
Shodashadanas : Agnipurana (210) Matsya Purana (274 to 289) Linga Purana (Uttaratha.28) describe the sixteen mahadanas as :
Tulapurusha dana (weighing a person against gold or silver which is distributed among brahmanas)
Hiranyagarbha dana
Brahmanda dana
Kalpavriksha dana
Gosahasra dana
Kamadhenu dana (HIranyakamadhenu dana) {{columns-list|colwidth=15em|style=width: 600px; font-style: italic;|
* []
* [[Naradiya Purana]]
* [[Srimad Bhagavata Purana]]
* [[Garuda (Suparna) Purana]]
* [[Padma Purana]]
* [[Varaha Purana]]
* [[Brahma Purana]]
* [[Brahmanda Purana]]
* [[Brahma Vaivarta Purana]]
* [[Markandeya Purana]]
* [[Bhavishya Purana]]
* [[Vamana Purana]]
* [[Matsya Purana]]
* [[Kurma Purana]]
* [[Linga Purana]]
* [[Siva Purana]]
* [[Skanda Purana]]
* [[Agni Purana]]
}}
Each of these is considered sacred and is expected to enhance the donor's age and virtue, to absolve one of all guilt and save him/her from nightmares. While the shodasha danas are clearly royal gifts or ones that are feasible only for the very rich, dasha danas are for people with more limited means. Both are accompanied by dakshina to the brahmins and elaborate rituals, ceremonies, feast for the guest and annadana and vastradana to the poor.
=== '''Dhenudanas (धेनुदानानि)''' ===
== References ==
== References ==