Line 39: |
Line 39: |
| | | |
| === Purta (पूर्त) === | | === Purta (पूर्त) === |
− | Acts which are primarily charitable in nature (construction of public utilities, ponds, schools, rest houses, gardens, ann-kshetra, etc.) are called poort. The benefits of poort are visible in this life, and include attainment of moksh. Charitable trusts are called poort works in scriptures.<ref name=":0" /> | + | Acts which are primarily charitable in nature (construction of public utilities, ponds, schools, rest houses, gardens, ann-kshetra, etc.) are called poort. The benefits of poort are visible in this life, and include attainment of moksh. Charitable trusts are called poort works in texts.<ref name=":0" /> |
| | | |
| === Dana (दानम्) === | | === Dana (दानम्) === |
Line 52: |
Line 52: |
| Sattvik daan is one that is made as a duty. It should be made after considering the time, place and the suitability of the receiver. The receiver should not perform any service or provide any benefit in return (अनुपकारी Anupkar). Swami Ramsukhdas explains that this kind of daan is really tyag, relinquishment, in which nothing is desired in return. This type of daan is not the kind that gives punya (पुण्यम्), merit in return. Seeking such punya will transform the daan into rajasik (राजसिकदानम्).<ref name=":0" /> | | Sattvik daan is one that is made as a duty. It should be made after considering the time, place and the suitability of the receiver. The receiver should not perform any service or provide any benefit in return (अनुपकारी Anupkar). Swami Ramsukhdas explains that this kind of daan is really tyag, relinquishment, in which nothing is desired in return. This type of daan is not the kind that gives punya (पुण्यम्), merit in return. Seeking such punya will transform the daan into rajasik (राजसिकदानम्).<ref name=":0" /> |
| | | |
− | Devala defines dana of the sastric kind | + | Devala defines dana of the sastric kind as that when wealth is given according to sastric rites so as to reach a receiver who is a fit recipient as defined in the sastra. What is given to a worthy person without an expectation of any return but solely with the idea of doing one's duty, is called '''dharmadana''' as per Devala quoted by Hemadri in his Chaturvarga Chintamani: |
| + | |
| + | पात्रेभ्यो दीयते नित्यमनपेक्ष्य प्रयोजनम् । केवलं त्यागबुद्ध्या यद्धर्मदानं तदुच्यते॥ (Chat. Chin. Dana. Adhy. 2. Page 14 of Reference <ref>Pt. Bharatachandra Siromani (1873) ''[https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.424417/2015.424417.chaturvarga-chintamani#page/n43/mode/2up Chaturvarga Chintamani By Hemadri.]'' Calcutta:The Asiatic Society of Bengal</ref>)<ref name=":1" /> |
| + | |
| + | Danamayukha explains that this is the best kind of dana and not applicable to dana in general. |
| | | |
| === Rajasik (राजसिकदानम्) === | | === Rajasik (राजसिकदानम्) === |
Line 60: |
Line 64: |
| When daan is made to an unsuitable person or without considering time or place, then it is called tamasik daan. If the daan is made without showing proper respect or in an insulting manner, then also it becomes tamasik. Another example of a tamasik daan would be where it is intended to cause bodily harm to another. In such a case, both the donor and the recipient are to be punished as for theft. | | When daan is made to an unsuitable person or without considering time or place, then it is called tamasik daan. If the daan is made without showing proper respect or in an insulting manner, then also it becomes tamasik. Another example of a tamasik daan would be where it is intended to cause bodily harm to another. In such a case, both the donor and the recipient are to be punished as for theft. |
| | | |
− | Brahmand Puran. 1.32.55-56 (Ved Vyas, 2009, p. 74); Vayu | + | === Purpose of Dana === |
| + | Based on the purpose of dana as mentioned in several puranas, the classification is as given below: |
| + | * Jyestha (ज्येष्ठः) : Daan given in order to achieve moksh (nishreyas) is considered the most valuable form. |
| + | * Madhyama (मध्यमम्) : Daan given out of pity40 or kindness for others or for one's own kith and kin is considered to be of medium value. |
| + | * Kanishth (कनिष्ठः) : Daan given to achieve one’s own selfish ends is known as the least valued of all. |
| + | |
| + | === Objective of Dana === |
| + | From the perspective of the objective of making a daan, it is classified into four categories: Nitya, Naimittik, Kamya and Vimal. |
| + | * Nitya (नित्यम्) : When daan is made daily to Brahmins without any expectation of services or return, it is known as nitya daan.41 The benefits of such daan are eternal. |
| + | * Naimittik (नैमित्तिकम्) : When daan is made to learned people at a particular time42 to counter the effects of sins, it is known as naimittik.43 |
| + | * Kamya (काम्यम्) : When a person desirous of children, victory, wealth, heaven etc, makes a daan, it is known as kamya.44 |
| + | * Vimal (विमलः) : When daan is made out of a sense of duty, to Brahmins learned in the Ved, in order to please the divine, it is known as vimal or nirmal daan.45 |
| + | Brahmand Puran. 1.32.55-56 (Ved Vyas, 2009, p. 74); |
| | | |
− | Puran.1.59.50-51 (Ved Vyas, 2004, p. 93); Ling Puran.1.10.21-22 (Ved | + | Vayu Puran.1.59.50-51 (Ved Vyas, 2004, p. 93); |
| | | |
− | Vyas, 2007, p. 47). | + | Ling Puran.1.10.21-22 (Ved Vyas, 2007, p. 47). |
| | | |
| == References == | | == References == |