Changes

== Definitions ==

== Definitions ==

=== दानम् ॥ Dana ===

=== दानम् ॥ Dana ===

There is a difference in the technical meaning of Dana and Utsarga. Dana is when the donor gives up his ownership over a thing, makes another the owner of it and cannot thereafter use it nor has any control over it.

There is a difference in the technical meaning of Dana and Utsarga. [[Dana (दानम्)]] is when the donor gives up his ownership over a thing, makes another the owner of it and cannot thereafter use it nor has any control over it.

=== उत्सर्गः ॥ Utsarga ===

=== उत्सर्गः ॥ Utsarga ===

Utsarga means 'divesting oneself of ownership over a thing and dedicating it for the use of all'. Thus, when a man makes an Utsarga, he no doubt gives up his ownership, but he gives up the thing for the benefit of all (he uses the word sarvabhutebhayah) and so the opinion of most writers is that he can as a member of the public make use of the thing dedicated by him, though a few authors recommended that he should not do so.<ref name=":03" />

Utsarga means 'divesting oneself of ownership over a thing and dedicating it for the use of all'. Thus, when a man makes an Utsarga, he no doubt gives up his ownership, but he gives up the thing for the benefit of all (he uses the word sarvabhutebhayah) and so the opinion of most writers is that he can as a member of the public make use of the thing dedicated by him, though a few authors recommended that he should not do so.<ref name=":03" />

=== प्रतिष्ठा ॥ Pratishta ===

=== प्रतिष्ठा ॥ Pratishta ===

According to Danakriyakaumudi (p. 166) Pratishta (प्रतिष्ठा) generally means dedicating to the public with prescribed rites.<blockquote>प्रतिष्ठापनं सविधिकोत्सर्जनमित्यर्थः । </blockquote>There are four principal stages in the procedure of Pratishta.<ref name=":03" />

According to Danakriyakaumudi (p. 166) [[Pratishta (प्रतिष्ठा)]] generally means dedicating to the public with prescribed rites.<blockquote>प्रतिष्ठापनं सविधिकोत्सर्जनमित्यर्थः । </blockquote>There are four principal stages in the procedure of Pratishta.<ref name=":03" />

# Sankalpa

# Sankalpa

# Homa

# Homa

The havana ritual continues for another four days, when finally the mandapa is broken up. The items used in the havana are distributed to the Brahmins who performed the ceremonies. The ceremony ends with a feast for 20-1000 Brahmins. If funds are a constraint, a simpler dedication ceremony can be performed.<ref name=":022" />

The havana ritual continues for another four days, when finally the mandapa is broken up. The items used in the havana are distributed to the Brahmins who performed the ceremonies. The ceremony ends with a feast for 20-1000 Brahmins. If funds are a constraint, a simpler dedication ceremony can be performed.<ref name=":022" />

=== Mahabharata ===

=== Mahabharata ===

The Danadharma parva of Anushasana parva describes the greatness of danas of various things and the rewards for doing so in a detailed manner.<ref name=":22">Pt. Ramnarayandatt Shastri. ''[https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n267/mode/2up Mahabharata with Hindi Translation, Volume 6.]'' Gorakhpur : Gita Press</ref> Digging of ponds, wells and setting up of gardens for public use has been highly recommended in the Danadharma parva in Adhyaya 58.<ref name=":022" /> Upon being questioned by Yudhisthira, Bhishma explains the rewards of making jalashayas and gardens for the community. <blockquote>त्रिषु लोकेषु सर्वत्र पूजनीयस्तडागवान्॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.58.4) </blockquote><blockquote>धर्मस्यार्थस्य कामस्य फलमाहुर्मनीषिणः। तडागसुकृतं देशे क्षेत्रमेकं महाश्रयम्॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.58.6)</blockquote>One who constructs lakes (तडागाः) for the benefit of community, will be revered in the three worlds. Construction of even a single water body, will bestow the rewards of adhering to Dharma, Artha and Kama; such a place endowed with beautiful lakes will support many beings.<ref name=":22" /><blockquote>देवा मनुष्यगन्धर्वाः पितरोरगराक्षसाः। स्थावराणि च भूतानि संश्रयन्ति जलाशयम्॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.58.8)</blockquote>Devatas, humans, gandharvas, forefathers, nagas, rakshasas, and all the immobile beings (such as plants and trees) depend on lakes (water bodies) and ponds.   

The Danadharma parva of Anushasana parva describes the greatness of danas of various things and the rewards for doing so in a detailed manner.<ref name=":22">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> Digging of ponds, wells and setting up of gardens for public use has been highly recommended in the Danadharma parva in Adhyaya 58.<ref name=":022" /> Upon being questioned by Yudhisthira, Bhishma explains the rewards of making jalashayas and gardens for the community. <blockquote>त्रिषु लोकेषु सर्वत्र पूजनीयस्तडागवान्॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.58.4) </blockquote><blockquote>धर्मस्यार्थस्य कामस्य फलमाहुर्मनीषिणः। तडागसुकृतं देशे क्षेत्रमेकं महाश्रयम्॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.58.6)</blockquote>One who constructs tanks (तडागाः) for the benefit of community, will be revered in the three worlds. Construction of even a single water body, will bestow the rewards of adhering to Dharma, Artha and Kama; such a place endowed with beautiful lakes will support many beings.<ref name=":22" /><blockquote>देवा मनुष्यगन्धर्वाः पितरोरगराक्षसाः। स्थावराणि च भूतानि संश्रयन्ति जलाशयम्॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.58.8)</blockquote>Devatas, humans, gandharvas, forefathers, nagas, rakshasas, and all the immobile beings (such as plants and trees) depend on lakes (water bodies) and ponds.   

The rewards linked to the availability of water in the pond are also explicitly given as follows (Anushasana Parva 58.10 to 14): (Table as given on pg. 55 of Reference <ref name=":022" />)  

The rewards linked to the availability of water in the pond are also explicitly given as follows (Anushasana Parva 58.10 to 14): (Table as given on pg. 55 of Reference <ref name=":022" />)  

|During Summers (Greeshma Kala

|During Summers (Greeshma Kala

|Equivalent to Ashwamedha Yayna

|Equivalent to Ashwamedha Yayna

|}Anushasana Parva (58.16 to 18) describe the rewards linked to the usage pattern. Vishnu Dharmottara Purana also describes the rewards in similar lines<blockquote>प्रावृट्काले तु पानीयं तडागे यस्य तिष्ठति ॥१२ ॥(Vish. Dhar. Pura. 296.12)<br>अग्निष्टोमफलं तस्य पुरुषस्य प्रकीर्तितम् । (Vish. Dhar. Pura. 296.13)</blockquote>

|}Anushasana Parva (58.16 to 18) describe the rewards linked to the usage pattern. Vishnu Dharmottara Purana describes the rewards of water availability in the pond during rainy season to be equivalent to performance of Agnishtoma yajna.<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>प्रावृट्काले तु पानीयं तडागे यस्य तिष्ठति ॥१२ ॥(Vish. Dhar. Pura. 296.12)<br>अग्निष्टोमफलं तस्य पुरुषस्य प्रकीर्तितम् । (Vish. Dhar. Pura. 296.13)</blockquote>

=== Vishnudharmottara Purana ===

=== Vishnudharmottara Purana ===

Benefits of water and constructing water bodies depending on their location has been described in Vishnudharmottara Purana.<ref>Vishnudharmottara Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%AC-%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A6 Adhyaya 296])</ref><blockquote>शक्रलोकमवाप्नोति तडागकरणात्पथि । मरौ तडागे पानीयं यस्य तिष्ठति वै द्विजाः ॥११॥(Vish. Dhar. Pura. 296.11)<br>विमानेनार्कवर्णेन ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति । (Vish. Dhar. Pura. 296.12)</blockquote>The following table summarizes the benefits of constructing tadagas and kupas in different locations:<ref name=":022" />

Benefits of water and constructing water bodies depending on their location has been described in Vishnudharmottara Purana.<ref name=":0">Vishnudharmottara Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%AC-%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A6 Adhyaya 296])</ref><blockquote>शक्रलोकमवाप्नोति तडागकरणात्पथि । मरौ तडागे पानीयं यस्य तिष्ठति वै द्विजाः ॥११॥(Vish. Dhar. Pura. 296.11)<br>विमानेनार्कवर्णेन ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति । (Vish. Dhar. Pura. 296.12)</blockquote>The following table summarizes the benefits of constructing tadaga-s and kupa-s in different locations:<ref name=":022" />

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

!Location

!Location

=== Vishnu Smrti ===

=== Vishnu Smrti ===

The following are the details from Vishnu Smrti (Adhyaya 91)<ref name=":12" /> outlining the rewards of digging wells and planting trees.<blockquote>अथ कूपकर्तुस्तत्प्रवृत्ते पानीये दुष्कृतस्यार्धं विनश्यति ॥ ९१.१ ॥ तडागकृन्नित्यतृप्तो वारुणं लोकं अश्नुते ॥ ९१.२ ॥ जलप्रदः सदा तृप्तो भवति ॥ ९१.३ ॥</blockquote>The digger of a well has the half of his evil acts destroyed as soon as water springs forth in it.  One who digs water reservoirs is for ever freed from thirst and attains Varuna loka. One who gives water will be satisfied for ever (never suffer from thirst).<blockquote>वृक्षारोपयितुर्वृक्षाः परलोके पुत्रा भवन्ति ॥ ९१.४ ॥वृक्षप्रदो वृक्षप्रसूनैर्देवान्प्रीणयति ॥ ९१.५ ॥फलैश्चातिथीन् ॥ ९१.६ ॥छायया चाभ्यागतान् ॥ ९१.७ ॥ देवे वर्षत्युदकेन पितॄन् ॥ ९१.८ ॥ सेतुकृत्स्वर्गं आप्नोति ॥ ९१.९ ॥</blockquote>One who plants trees will have them as sons in future existence. One who plants trees please the devatas by their flowers, atithis by their fruits, travellers by the shade of those trees. He pleases the forefathers with the water (trickling down from their leaves) when it rains. One who builds dikes (dams, water reservoirs) attains heaven. <blockquote>देवायतनकारी यस्य देवस्यायतनं करोति तस्यैव लोकं आप्नोति ॥ ९१.१० ॥ सुधासिक्तं कृत्वा यशसा विराजते ॥ ९१.११ ॥विचित्रं कृत्वा गन्धर्वलोकं आप्नोति ॥ ९१.१२ ॥</blockquote>One who constructs temples enters the loka of the deity for whom he erected that temple. He who paints the temple, white, acquires brilliant fame while one who colours it with different paints attains gandharva loka. <blockquote>पुष्पप्रदानेन श्रीमान्भवति ॥ ९१.१३ ॥ अनुलेपनप्रदानेन कीर्तिमान् ॥ ९१.१४ ॥दीपप्रदानेन चक्षुष्मान्सर्वत्रोज्ज्वलश्च ॥ ९१.१५ ॥अन्नप्रदानेन बलवान् ॥ ९१.१६ ॥</blockquote>By giving flowers he becomes fortunate. Charity of aromatic applications (and scents) endows one with fame. By giving lamps one obtains an excellent eyesight and becomes radiant with lustre. By giving food the donor obtains strength.<blockquote>देवनिर्माल्यापनयनात्गोदानफलं आप्नोति ॥ ९१.१७ ॥देवगृहमार्जनात्तदुपलेपनात्ब्राह्मणोच्छिष्टमार्जनात्पादशौचादकल्यपरिचरणाच्च ॥ ९१.१८ ॥ कूपारामतडागेषु देवतायतनेषु च । पुनः संस्कारकर्ता च लभते मौलिकं फलम् ॥ ९१.१९ ॥</blockquote>By removing the devanirmalya (remains of an offering to a deity) he obtains the same reward as for giving a cow. Same reward is also obtained by scouring a temple, smearing it with cow-dung, removing the left-overs of the food of a brahmana, by washing his feet and nursing him when sick. One who consecrates anew a well, garden, a pool or water reservoir, a temple (which have been soiled in time) obtains the same reward as he who first made them.

The following are the details from Vishnu Smrti (Adhyaya 91)<ref name=":12" /> outlining the rewards of digging wells and planting trees.<blockquote>अथ कूपकर्तुस्तत्प्रवृत्ते पानीये दुष्कृतस्यार्धं विनश्यति ॥ ९१.१ ॥ तडागकृन्नित्यतृप्तो वारुणं लोकं अश्नुते ॥ ९१.२ ॥ जलप्रदः सदा तृप्तो भवति ॥ ९१.३ ॥</blockquote>The digger of a well has the half of his evil acts destroyed as soon as water springs forth in it.  One who digs water reservoirs is for ever freed from thirst and attains Varuna loka. One who gives water will be satisfied for ever (never suffer from thirst).<blockquote>वृक्षारोपयितुर्वृक्षाः परलोके पुत्रा भवन्ति ॥ ९१.४ ॥वृक्षप्रदो वृक्षप्रसूनैर्देवान्प्रीणयति ॥ ९१.५ ॥फलैश्चातिथीन् ॥ ९१.६ ॥छायया चाभ्यागतान् ॥ ९१.७ ॥ देवे वर्षत्युदकेन पितॄन् ॥ ९१.८ ॥ सेतुकृत्स्वर्गं आप्नोति ॥ ९१.९ ॥</blockquote>One who plants trees will have them as sons in future existence. One who plants trees please the devatas by their flowers, atithis by their fruits, travellers by the shade of those trees. He pleases the forefathers with the water (trickling down from their leaves) when it rains. One who builds dikes (dams, water reservoirs) attains heaven. <blockquote>देवायतनकारी यस्य देवस्यायतनं करोति तस्यैव लोकं आप्नोति ॥ ९१.१० ॥ सुधासिक्तं कृत्वा यशसा विराजते ॥ ९१.११ ॥विचित्रं कृत्वा गन्धर्वलोकं आप्नोति ॥ ९१.१२ ॥</blockquote>One who constructs temples enters the loka of the deity for whom he erected that temple. He who paints the temple, white, acquires brilliant fame while one who colours it with different paints attains gandharva loka. <blockquote>पुष्पप्रदानेन श्रीमान्भवति ॥ ९१.१३ ॥ अनुलेपनप्रदानेन कीर्तिमान् ॥ ९१.१४ ॥दीपप्रदानेन चक्षुष्मान्सर्वत्रोज्ज्वलश्च ॥ ९१.१५ ॥अन्नप्रदानेन बलवान् ॥ ९१.१६ ॥</blockquote>By giving flowers he becomes fortunate. Charity of aromatic applications (and scents) endows one with fame. By giving lamps one obtains an excellent eyesight and becomes radiant with lustre. By giving food the donor obtains strength.<blockquote>देवनिर्माल्यापनयनात्गोदानफलं आप्नोति ॥ ९१.१७ ॥देवगृहमार्जनात्तदुपलेपनात्ब्राह्मणोच्छिष्टमार्जनात्पादशौचादकल्यपरिचरणाच्च ॥ ९१.१८ ॥ कूपारामतडागेषु देवतायतनेषु च । पुनः संस्कारकर्ता च लभते मौलिकं फलम् ॥ ९१.१९ ॥</blockquote>By removing the devanirmalya (remains of an offering to a deity) he obtains the same reward as for giving a cow. Same reward is also obtained by scouring a temple, smearing it with cow-dung, removing the left-overs of the food of a brahmana, by washing his feet and nursing him when sick. One who consecrates anew a well, garden, a pool or water reservoir, a temple (which have been soiled in time) obtains the same reward as he who first made them.

== Dvari Bandh ==

== द्वारी बन्ध ॥ Dvari Bandh ==

Apart from water bodies, construction of dams was also referred to in later texts. Dvari Bandh refers to a dam, created by collecting flow of water from a waterfall or mountain stream. A detailed description of the dvari bandh has been given by Hemadri,228 along with the dedication ceremony and benefits.

Apart from water bodies, construction of dams was also referred to in later texts. Dvari Bandh refers to a dam, created by collecting flow of water from a waterfall or mountain stream. A detailed description of the dvari bandh has been given by Devipurana as quoted by Hemadri (Chaturvarga Chintamani Danakanda Adhyaya 13 p. 1007)<ref name=":1">Chaturvarga Chintamani ([https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.424417/2015.424417.chaturvarga-chintamani#page/n915/mode/1up Adhyaya 13 p.1007])</ref>, along with the dedication ceremony and benefits.

According to this, several channels are provided to carry the water to fields or to the village. Gates may be added to regulate the flow of water. Dvari Bandh are categorised as uttam, madhyam and adham, depending on the amount of water collected. A dam which collects water in an area of 100,000 danda (stick length, an ancient measure of land) is considered best. The dam may be constructed with stones and rocks, over which Vajralepa (a kind of organic plaster) is applied. Parks and orchards may be provided around the dvari bandh for public use, along with ponds and wells.  

According to this, several channels are provided to carry the water to fields or to the village. Gates may be added to regulate the flow of water. Dvari Bandh are categorised as uttam, madhyam and adham, depending on the amount of water collected. A dam which collects water in an area of 100,000 danda (stick length, an ancient measure of land) is considered best. The dam may be constructed with stones and rocks, over which Vajralepa (a kind of organic plaster) is applied. Parks and orchards may be provided around the dvari bandh for public use, along with ponds and wells.  

The dvari bandh is dedicated for public use (utsarg) in an elaborate ceremony. The donor is rewarded with benefits far exceeding those of Ashwamedh Yagn, and attains divine worlds.

The dvari bandh is dedicated for public use (utsarga) in an elaborate ceremony. Gifts of thousand cows is auspicious along with gifts of land, gold and dakshina as given in the sloka below:<blockquote>द्वारीबन्धिषु कर्तव्यमुत्सर्गं गोप्रदानिकम् । गोसहस्रं शुभं देयं महीं हेमञ्च दक्षिणाम् ॥<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>The donor is rewarded with benefits far exceeding those of Ashvamedha Yajna, and attains divine worlds.

== वापीकूपतडागोत्सर्गविधिवर्णनम् ॥ Dedication of Water Reservoirs ==

== वापीकूपतडागोत्सर्गविधिवर्णनम् ॥ Dedication of Water Reservoirs ==

Sevaral works give a very comprehensive procedure of the consecration of wells, ponds and tanks, based on the grhyaparisishtas,  the puranas, the tantras, Pancharatras and other works. A few works that cite these procedures include

Sevaral works give a very comprehensive procedure of the consecration of wells, ponds and tanks, based on the grhyaparisishtas,  the puranas, the tantras, Pancharatras and other works. A few works that cite these procedures include

# यत्किं चेदमिति मज्जयित्वा ७ । and he dives into the water uttering the mantra 'यत्किंचेदं वरुण । yat kim chedam varuna (Rig. Veda. 7.89.5). Even in the mantra 'यासां राजा वरुणो याति मध्ये । yasam raja varuno yati madhye' of Rig  Veda (7.49.3) Varuna is described as the lord of waters and there it is appropriate that in dedicating wells and tanks to the public Varuna should be invoked in several mantras.   

# यत्किं चेदमिति मज्जयित्वा ७ । and he dives into the water uttering the mantra 'यत्किंचेदं वरुण । yat kim chedam varuna (Rig. Veda. 7.89.5). Even in the mantra 'यासां राजा वरुणो याति मध्ये । yasam raja varuno yati madhye' of Rig  Veda (7.49.3) Varuna is described as the lord of waters and there it is appropriate that in dedicating wells and tanks to the public Varuna should be invoked in several mantras.   

# धेनुर्दक्षिणा वस्त्रयुग्मं चातो ब्राह्मणभोजनम् ९ । A cow and a pair of clothes are the fee for this activity followed by the feeding of brahmanas.

# धेनुर्दक्षिणा वस्त्रयुग्मं चातो ब्राह्मणभोजनम् ९ । A cow and a pair of clothes are the fee for this activity followed by the feeding of brahmanas.

== References ==

== References ==

<references />

<references />