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Line 208: − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − Bheeshm also goes on to explain that a Brahmin with certain characteristics should not be given daan: one who criticises the Vedas, relies unduly on logic, does not propagate approved doctrines, is loud and noisy, abuses Brahmins, is suspicious of everyone, behaves like children or fools, and is bitter in dialogue. +
→Based on Orientation
=== Based on the Nature of Dana ===
=== Based on the Nature of Dana ===
According to Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, all dana can be classified into three categories: sattvik (associated with purity and spirituality), rajasik (associated with materialism and worldly affairs) and tamasik (associated with lack of intellect and leads to darkness). Shraddha is also defined in Skanda Purana as follows<blockquote>त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा॥ सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां श्रृणु॥ ४.४६ ॥ (Skan. Pura. Mahe. Khan. 4.46)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṃ sā svabhāvajā॥ sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṃ śrṛṇu॥ 4.46 ॥</blockquote>
According to Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, all dana can be classified into three categories: sattvik (associated with purity and spirituality), rajasik (associated with materialism and worldly affairs) and tamasik (associated with lack of intellect and leads to darkness). Shraddha is also defined in Skanda Purana as follows<blockquote>त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा॥ सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां श्रृणु॥ ४.४६ ॥ (Skan. Pura. Mahe. Khan. 4.46)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṃ sā svabhāvajā॥ sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṃ śrṛṇu॥ 4.46 ॥</blockquote>
* Sattvika Dana (सात्त्विकदानम्) : Sattvik dana 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 dana is really tyag, relinquishment, in which nothing is desired in return. This type of dana is not the kind that gives punya (पुण्यम्), merit in return. Seeking such punya will transform the dana into rajasik (राजसिकदानम्).<ref name=":0" /> The Bhagavad Geeta expounds the satvika dana as follows:<blockquote>दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे । देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्विकं स्मृतम् ॥ (भ.गी.१७.२०)<ref name=":3">A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1972), Bhagavad-gita As it is,The Bhakti Vedanta Book Trust</ref></blockquote><blockquote>dātavyamiti yaddānaṃ dīyate'nupakāriṇe । deśe kāle ca pātre ca taddānaṃ sātvikaṃ smṛtam ॥ (Bhag. Gita.17.20)</blockquote>
* '''Sattvika Dana (सात्त्विकदानम्)''' : Sattvik dana 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 dana is really tyag, relinquishment, in which nothing is desired in return. This type of dana is not the kind that gives punya (पुण्यम्), merit in return. Seeking such punya will transform the dana into rajasik (राजसिकदानम्).<ref name=":0" /> The Bhagavad Geeta expounds the satvika dana as follows:<blockquote>दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे । देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्विकं स्मृतम् ॥ (भ.गी.१७.२०)<ref name=":3">A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1972), Bhagavad-gita As it is,The Bhakti Vedanta Book Trust</ref></blockquote><blockquote>dātavyamiti yaddānaṃ dīyate'nupakāriṇe । deśe kāle ca pātre ca taddānaṃ sātvikaṃ smṛtam ॥ (Bhag. Gita.17.20)</blockquote>
* Rajasika (राजसिकदानम्) : Rajasika dana is made for getting some direct or indirect benefit (whether material or spiritual) in return. The parting (of property) causes pain or regret to the donor. Or the dana is given after some persuasion (as in a collection or chanda - चंदा). Rajasika dana gives whatever benefits are sought by the donor.<ref name=":0" /> According to the Bhagavad Geeta,<blockquote>यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः । दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥ (भ.गी.१७.२१)<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>yattu pratyupakārārthaṃ phalamuddiśya vā punaḥ । dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṃ taddānaṃ rājasaṃ smṛtam ॥ (Bhag. Gita.17.21)</blockquote>
* '''Rajasika (राजसिकदानम्)''' : Rajasika dana is made for getting some direct or indirect benefit (whether material or spiritual) in return. The parting (of property) causes pain or regret to the donor. Or the dana is given after some persuasion (as in a collection or chanda - चंदा). Rajasika dana gives whatever benefits are sought by the donor.<ref name=":0" /> According to the Bhagavad Geeta,<blockquote>यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः । दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥ (भ.गी.१७.२१)<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>yattu pratyupakārārthaṃ phalamuddiśya vā punaḥ । dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṃ taddānaṃ rājasaṃ smṛtam ॥ (Bhag. Gita.17.21)</blockquote>
* Tamasika (तामसिकदानम्) : When dana is made to an unsuitable person or without considering time or place, then it is called tamasika dana. If the dana is made without showing proper respect or in an insulting manner, then also it becomes tamasika. Another example of a tamasika dana 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. The Bhagavad Geeta says,<blockquote>अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते । असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ (भ.गी.१७.२२)<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>adeśakāle yaddānamapātrebhyaśca dīyate । asatkṛtamavajñātaṃ tattāmasamudāhṛtam ॥ (Bhag. Gita.17.22)</blockquote>
* '''Tamasika (तामसिकदानम्)''' : When dana is made to an unsuitable person or without considering time or place, then it is called tamasika dana. If the dana is made without showing proper respect or in an insulting manner, then also it becomes tamasika. Another example of a tamasika dana 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. The Bhagavad Geeta says,<blockquote>अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते । असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ (भ.गी.१७.२२)<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>adeśakāle yaddānamapātrebhyaśca dīyate । asatkṛtamavajñātaṃ tattāmasamudāhṛtam ॥ (Bhag. Gita.17.22)</blockquote>
=== Based on the Purpose served ===
=== Based on the Purpose served ===
Based on the purpose of dana as mentioned in several puranas, the classification is as given below<ref name=":0" />:<blockquote>दानं त्रिविधमित्येतत्कनिष्ठज्येष्ठमध्यमम् ।। तत्र नैश्रेयसं ज्येष्ठं कनिष्ठं स्वार्थसिद्धये ।। ३२.५५ ।। कारुण्यात्सर्वभूतेषु संविभागस्तु मध्यमः ।। (Brahmand. Pura. 1.32.55-56)<ref>Brahmanda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%A8 Purva Bhaga Adhyaya 32])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>dānaṁ trividhamityētatkaniṣṭhajyēṣṭhamadhyamam ।। tatra naiśrēyasaṁ jyēṣṭhaṁ kaniṣṭhaṁ svārthasiddhayē ।। 32.55 ।। kāruṇyātsarvabhūtēṣu saṁvibhāgastu madhyamaḥ ।। </blockquote>
Based on the purpose of dana as mentioned in several puranas, the classification is as given below<ref name=":0" />:<blockquote>दानं त्रिविधमित्येतत्कनिष्ठज्येष्ठमध्यमम् ।। तत्र नैश्रेयसं ज्येष्ठं कनिष्ठं स्वार्थसिद्धये ।। ३२.५५ ।। कारुण्यात्सर्वभूतेषु संविभागस्तु मध्यमः ।। (Brahmand. Pura. 1.32.55-56)<ref>Brahmanda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%A8 Purva Bhaga Adhyaya 32])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>dānaṁ trividhamityētatkaniṣṭhajyēṣṭhamadhyamam ।। tatra naiśrēyasaṁ jyēṣṭhaṁ kaniṣṭhaṁ svārthasiddhayē ।। 32.55 ।। kāruṇyātsarvabhūtēṣu saṁvibhāgastu madhyamaḥ ।। </blockquote>
* Jyestha (ज्येष्ठः) : Dana given in order to achieve moksh (nishreyas) is considered the most valuable form.
* '''Jyestha (ज्येष्ठः)''' : Dana given in order to achieve moksh (nishreyas) is considered the most valuable form.
* Madhyama (मध्यमम्) : Dana given out of pity or kindness for others or for one's own kith and kin is considered to be of medium value. It is also called as Daya Dana (दयादानम्)
* '''Madhyama (मध्यमम्)''' : Dana given out of pity or kindness for others or for one's own kith and kin is considered to be of medium value. It is also called as Daya Dana (दयादानम्)
* Kanishtha (कनिष्ठः) : Dana given to achieve one’s own selfish ends is known as the least valued of all.
* '''Kanishtha (कनिष्ठः)''' : Dana given to achieve one’s own selfish ends is known as the least valued of all.
=== Based on the Objective for giving ===
=== Based on the Objective for giving ===
Based the objective of making a dana, it is classified into four categories:<blockquote>नित्यं नैमित्तिकं काम्यं त्रिविधं दानमुच्यते । चतुर्थं विमलं प्रोक्तं सर्वदानोत्तमोत्तमम् ।। २६.४ (Kurm. Pura. Uttar. 26.4) <ref>Kurma Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A1%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%BD%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Uttara Bhaga Adhyaya 26])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>nityaṁ naimittikaṁ kāmyaṁ trividhaṁ dānamucyatē । caturthaṁ vimalaṁ prōktaṁ sarvadānōttamōttamam ।। 26.4</blockquote>
Based the objective of making a dana, it is classified into four categories:<blockquote>नित्यं नैमित्तिकं काम्यं त्रिविधं दानमुच्यते । चतुर्थं विमलं प्रोक्तं सर्वदानोत्तमोत्तमम् ।। २६.४ (Kurm. Pura. Uttar. 26.4) <ref>Kurma Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A1%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%BD%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Uttara Bhaga Adhyaya 26])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>nityaṁ naimittikaṁ kāmyaṁ trividhaṁ dānamucyatē । caturthaṁ vimalaṁ prōktaṁ sarvadānōttamōttamam ।। 26.4</blockquote>
* Nitya (नित्यम्) : When dana is made daily to Brahmins without any expectation of services or return, it is known as nitya dana. The benefits of such dana are eternal.
* '''Nitya (नित्यम्)''' : When dana is made daily to Brahmins without any expectation of services or return, it is known as nitya dana. The benefits of such dana are eternal.
* Naimittika (नैमित्तिकम्) : When dana is made to learned people at a particular time to counter the effects of sins, it is known as naimittik.
* '''Naimittika (नैमित्तिकम्)''' : When dana is made to learned people at a particular time to counter the effects of sins, it is known as naimittika.
* Kamya (काम्यम्) : When a person desirous of children, victory, wealth, heaven etc, makes a dana, it is known as kamya.
* '''Kamya (काम्यम्)''' : When a person desirous of children, victory, wealth, heaven etc, makes a dana, it is known as kamya.
* Vimala (विमलम्) : When dana is made out of a sense of duty, to Brahmins learned in the Veda, in order to please the divine, it is known as vimal or nirmal dana.
* '''Vimala (विमलम्)''' : When dana is made out of a sense of duty, to Brahmins learned in the Veda, in order to please the divine, it is known as vimal or nirmal dana.
== Procedure of Dana ==
== दानपद्धतिः ॥ Procedure of Dana ==
While there are many procedures to be followed for making a dana on different occasions the general procedure is outlined as follows: (see footnote 2016 on Page 855 of Reference <ref name=":1" /> and Page 506 of Reference <ref name=":22">Pt. Bharatachandra Siromani (1873) ''[https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.424417/2015.424417.chaturvarga-chintamani#page/n535/mode/2up Chaturvarga Chintamani by Hemadri, Vol 1, Dana kanda.]'' Calcutta: The Asiatic Society of Bengal</ref>)
While there are many procedures to be followed for making a dana on different occasions the general procedure is outlined as follows: (see footnote 2016 on Page 855 of Reference <ref name=":1" /> and Page 506 of Reference <ref name=":22">Pt. Bharatachandra Siromani (1873) ''[https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.424417/2015.424417.chaturvarga-chintamani#page/n535/mode/2up Chaturvarga Chintamani by Hemadri, Vol 1, Dana kanda.]'' Calcutta: The Asiatic Society of Bengal</ref>)
Nine types of property should not be given in dana <ref name=":2" /> under any circumstances and one who does so should undergo prayaschitta for doing so. <blockquote>सामान्यं याचितं न्यासमाधिर्दाराश्च दर्शनम्॥ अन्वाहितं च निक्षेपः सर्वस्वं चान्वये सति॥ ४.५२ ॥ आपत्स्वपि न देयानि नववस्तूनि पंडितैः॥ यो ददाति स मूढात्मा प्रायाश्चित्तीयते नरः॥ ४.५३ ॥ (Skan. Pura. 1.4.52 and 53)</blockquote><blockquote>sāmānyaṃ yācitaṃ nyāsamādhirdārāśca darśanam॥ anvāhitaṃ ca nikṣepaḥ sarvasvaṃ cānvaye sati॥ 4.52 ॥ āpatsvapi na deyāni navavastūni paṃḍitaiḥ॥ yo dadāti sa mūḍhātmā prāyāścittīyate naraḥ॥ 4.53 ॥</blockquote>
Nine types of property should not be given in dana <ref name=":2" /> under any circumstances and one who does so should undergo prayaschitta for doing so. <blockquote>सामान्यं याचितं न्यासमाधिर्दाराश्च दर्शनम्॥ अन्वाहितं च निक्षेपः सर्वस्वं चान्वये सति॥ ४.५२ ॥ आपत्स्वपि न देयानि नववस्तूनि पंडितैः॥ यो ददाति स मूढात्मा प्रायाश्चित्तीयते नरः॥ ४.५३ ॥ (Skan. Pura. 1.4.52 and 53)</blockquote><blockquote>sāmānyaṃ yācitaṃ nyāsamādhirdārāśca darśanam॥ anvāhitaṃ ca nikṣepaḥ sarvasvaṃ cānvaye sati॥ 4.52 ॥ āpatsvapi na deyāni navavastūni paṃḍitaiḥ॥ yo dadāti sa mūḍhātmā prāyāścittīyate naraḥ॥ 4.53 ॥</blockquote>
# Samanya (सामान्यम्) - that which is ordinary or owned by everyone.
# Samanya (सामान्यम्) - that which is ordinary or owned by everyone.
# Yachit (याचितम्) - that which has been borrowed from someone.
# Yachita (याचितम्) - that which has been borrowed from someone.
# Nyas (न्यासम्) - that which has been deposited with you in trust.
# Nyasa (न्यासम्) - that which has been deposited with you in trust.
# Aadhi (आधि)- that which has been pawned with you.
# Aadhi (आधि)- that which has been pawned with you.
# Dana (दानम्) - that which has already been given once.
# Dana (दानम्) - that which has already been given once.
# Dana dhan (दानधनम्) - that which has been received in dana.
# Dana dhanam (दानधनम्) - that which has been received in dana.
# Anvahit (अन्वाहितम्) - that which has been kept in trust with X, who has placed it in safe-keeping with Y.
# Anvahita (अन्वाहितम्) - that which has been kept in trust with X, who has placed it in safe-keeping with Y.
# Nikshipt (निक्षिप्तम्) - that which has been entrusted to someone.
# Nikshipta (निक्षिप्तम्) - that which has been entrusted to someone.
# Sanvaya Sarvasv Dana (सन्वय सर्वस्वदानम्) - giving away everything despite availability of descendants.
# Sanvaya Sarvasva Dana (सन्वय सर्वस्वदानम्) - giving away everything despite availability of descendants.
=== प्रतिग्रहीता ॥ Receiver ===
=== प्रतिग्रहीता ॥ Receiver ===
A receiver should be assessed for his mental attitudes and physical conditions by the donor for a dana to be fruitful.There are sixteen kinds of payments made to donees that does not qualify as dana. <ref name=":0" />Some of these are: to an immoral Brahmin, to a fallen Brahmin, to a thief, to a liar, to an ingrate, to a sinner, to a person who sells the Vedas, money earned through injustice to the village / town priest, to one’s father and other such gurujan, to snake-charmers, to one’s servants, to one’s family, to a person who abandons his vaanprasth ashram, or sanyaas ashram and becomes a householder again.<ref>Mahabharat, Vanparv, Markandeya Samaasya Parv, 3.12.200.6-8, (Ved Vyas, 2001, p. 1524)</ref>
A receiver should be assessed for his mental attitudes and physical conditions by the donor for a dana to be fruitful.There are sixteen kinds of payments made to donees that does not qualify as dana. <ref name=":0" />Some of these are: to an immoral Brahmin, to a fallen Brahmin, to a thief, to a liar, to an ingrate, to a sinner, to a person who sells the Vedas, money earned through injustice to the village / town priest, to one’s father and other such gurujan, to snake-charmers, to one’s servants, to one’s family, to a person who abandons his vanprastha ashram, or sanyasa ashram and becomes a householder again.<ref>Mahabharat, Vanparv, Markandeya Samaasya Parv, 3.12.200.6-8, (Ved Vyas, 2001, p. 1524)</ref>
== Who is eligible to Receive<ref>Daan-Dharm Parv. 13.1.37.8-15 (Ved Vyas, 2001, p. 5596).</ref> ==
== Who is eligible to Receive<ref>Daan-Dharm Parv. 13.1.37.8-15 (Ved Vyas, 2001, p. 5596).</ref> ==
On his deathbed, Bheeshma explains the eligibility to receive to Yudhishtira, the future king. These are: (The receiver should have:) Lack of anger, Truthfulness, Simplicity, Lack of treachery, Lack of pride, Bashfulness, Tolerance, Self- control, Calmness of the mind. The person should also not take up undesirable activities. It does not matter whether the donee is well-known or is a new acquaintance, who has just arrived.
On his deathbed, Bheeshma explains the eligibility to receive to Yudhishtira, the future king. These are: (The receiver should have:) Lack of anger, Truthfulness, Simplicity, Lack of treachery, Lack of pride, Bashfulness, Tolerance, Self- control, Calmness of the mind. The person should also not take up undesirable activities. It does not matter whether the donee is well-known or is a new acquaintance, who has just arrived.
Bheeshma also goes on to explain that a Brahmin with certain characteristics should not be given daan: one who criticises the Vedas, relies unduly on logic, does not propagate approved doctrines, is loud and noisy, abuses Brahmins, is suspicious of everyone, behaves like children or fools, and is bitter in dialogue.
==References==
==References==