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Line 21: − <blockquote>ददस्वान्नं ददस्वान्नं ददस्वान्नं युधिष्ठिर ।। (Bhav. Pura. 4.169.2)</blockquote>"Give food! Give food! Give food! oh Yudhisthira" Thus spake Srikrishna to Yudhisthira, while advising him on dana, the discipline of giving, in the Bhavishyapurana. The Parva 4 (Uttaraparva) adhyaya 169 is dedicated to अन्नदानमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् । − + + + + + + + Line 32:
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→अन्नदानमाहात्म्यम् || Annadana Mahatmya: editing
== अन्नदानमाहात्म्यम् || Annadana Mahatmya ==
== अन्नदानमाहात्म्यम् || Annadana Mahatmya ==
The Bhavishyapurana here recounts the conversation between Srikrishna and Yudhisthira at the culmination of Asvamedha yajna after the war, in Mahabharata.
=== अनन्नदानस्य फलं ॥ Fruit of Anannadana ===
The Bhavishyapurana recounts the conversation between Srikrishna and Yudhisthira at the culmination of Asvamedha yajna after the war, in Mahabharata.<blockquote>ददस्वान्नं ददस्वान्नं ददस्वान्नं युधिष्ठिर ।। (Bhav. Pura. 4.169.2)</blockquote>"Give food! Give food! Give food! oh Yudhisthira". Thus spake Srikrishna to Yudhisthira, while advising him on annadana, the discipline of giving, in the Bhavishyapurana. Parva 4 (Uttaraparva) adhyaya 169 is dedicated to अन्नदानमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् ।
Srikrishna here recalls that even Srirama, during his days in the forest, had to run around in search of food. While thus searching for food, he along with his brother, Lakshmana, has to live in want. And he concludes that it must be because of their not having sufficiently given of food earlier (anannadana). <blockquote>यन्न प्राप्यं तदप्राप्यं विद्यया पौरुषेण वा । सत्यो लोकप्रवादोऽयं नादत्तमुपतिष्ठति ॥ (Bhav. Pura. 4.169.6)</blockquote>Meaning : What we have not earned, we shall not get, neither by knowledge, nor by prowess. It is truly said that what is not given, cannot be enjoyed.
Recalling the Anannadana experience of Srirama, Srikrishna begins to tell the story of King Sveta, the king who lived a life of dharma and who was generous with his giving at the proper occasion, but who gave no food to any seeker and therefore had to suffer the pangs of hunger even in the heavens that he had earned by his otherwise righteous conduct. Sveta was finally relieved of his terrible fate by sage Agastya, who accepted food from his hands and thus freed him of the taint of anannadana.
=== Mahabharata ===
The danaviras, the ones who give food and water to others, attain the best of lokas after their death and achieve great glory. They also live a long life and obtain great wealth in this world. The Mahabharata, Bhishma describing the greatness of annadana and jaladana to Yudhisthira, says<blockquote>न तस्मात्परमं दानं किञ्चिदस्तीति मे मनः। अन्नात्प्राणभृतस्तात प्रवर्ध[र्त]न्ते हि सर्वशः॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.67.5)</blockquote><blockquote>तस्मादन्नं परं लोके सर्वलोकेषु कथ्यते। अन्नाद्बलं च तेजश्च प्राणिनां वर्धते सदा॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.67.6)</blockquote>Meaning : I believe there is no dana greater than the dana of food and water, because all beings are indeed born of anna, and from anna alone they obtain sustenance for living. That is why anna is said to be highest in this world. The bala (strength) and tejas (vitality) of all living beings always depends upon anna.<ref name=":0" />
The danaviras, the ones who give food and water to others, attain the best of lokas after their death and achieve great glory. They also live a long life and obtain great wealth in this world. The Mahabharata, Bhishma describing the greatness of annadana and jaladana to Yudhisthira, says<blockquote>न तस्मात्परमं दानं किञ्चिदस्तीति मे मनः। अन्नात्प्राणभृतस्तात प्रवर्ध[र्त]न्ते हि सर्वशः॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.67.5)</blockquote><blockquote>तस्मादन्नं परं लोके सर्वलोकेषु कथ्यते। अन्नाद्बलं च तेजश्च प्राणिनां वर्धते सदा॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.67.6)</blockquote>Meaning : I believe there is no dana greater than the dana of food and water, because all beings are indeed born of anna, and from anna alone they obtain sustenance for living. That is why anna is said to be highest in this world. The bala (strength) and tejas (vitality) of all living beings always depends upon anna.<ref name=":0" />
Thus, Srikrishna's exposition of the essence of Bhishma's teachings is presented in just 10 slokas.
Thus, Srikrishna's exposition of the essence of Bhishma's teachings is presented in just 10 slokas.
Bhagavata Purana
Therefore, it is wise to give charity when one has the capacity to do so. The rishi of the this sukta, boldly declares "I am proclaiming the truth, those who do not have the habit of giving charity of food, then it is useless to have storage of large of quantity of grains, that very food might cost his life. One who does not offer the devas in yagna, charity of food to a friend, and meal to a visiting guest, and enjoys his meal alone he is verily sinful person." ( in the gita it is said bhujante te agham papam, ye pachanti atmakaranat,")Here in Bhagavad gita, Sri Krishna is indirectly criticizing those who are not giving charity of food and back ground is the value of charity of food. Vedas say, "kevalagh0 bhavati kevaladi," This verse is similar to the verse of Bhagavad gita. The main duty of Grihastas is to give charity of food to guests. There is no distinction of gender or caste in giving charity of food. whoever is hungry, has to receive the food. This is the call of the puranas. just like the plow of farmer provides grains. The servant by serving his master helps him to have food. ( in one sense the person who does not give charity is less than the plow and the servant who helps the master is better.)
Therefore, it is wise to give charity when one has the capacity to do so. The rishi of the this sukta, boldly declares "I am proclaiming the truth, those who do not have the habit of giving charity of food, then it is useless to have storage of large of quantity of grains, that very food might cost his life. One who does not offer the devas in yagna, charity of food to a friend, and meal to a visiting guest, and enjoys his meal alone he is verily sinful person." ( in the gita it is said bhujante te agham papam, ye pachanti atmakaranat,")Here in Bhagavad gita, Sri Krishna is indirectly criticizing those who are not giving charity of food and back ground is the value of charity of food. Vedas say, "kevalagh0 bhavati kevaladi," This verse is similar to the verse of Bhagavad gita. The main duty of Grihastas is to give charity of food to guests. There is no distinction of gender or caste in giving charity of food. whoever is hungry, has to receive the food. This is the call of the puranas. just like the plow of farmer provides grains. The servant by serving his master helps him to have food. ( in one sense the person who does not give charity is less than the plow and the servant who helps the master is better.)