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Annadanam or Dana of food (Samskrit : अन्नदानम्) is one of the greatest danas practiced since ancient days. The practice of offering or serving food to any soul, be it an uninvited person or animals or birds is referred to with great reverence. The term "anna" or "annam" chiefly implies "ahara" or food referring to "what is eaten is anna". "Atithidevo bhava" The term atithi applies to anyone who appears at the door unexpected and uninvited and he is treated as a devata; this teaching of the Taittriya Upanishad has been a sanatana siddhanta, accepted and adhered to at all times in this holy land of Bharatavarsha.<ref name=":0">Bajaj, Jitendra and Mandayam, Srinivas. (1996) ''Annam Bahu Kurvita.'' Madras: Centre for Policy Studies Madras</ref>
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Annadanam or Dana of food (Samskrit : अन्नदानम्) is one of the greatest danas practiced since ancient days. The practice of offering or serving food to any being, be it an uninvited person or animals or birds is referred to with great reverence. The term "anna" or "annam" chiefly implies "ahara" or food referring to "what is eaten is anna" as per Chandogya Upanishad. "Atithidevo bhava" The term atithi applies to anyone who appears at the door unexpected and uninvited and he is treated as a devata; this teaching of the Taittriya Upanishad has been a sanatana siddhanta, accepted and adhered to at all times in this holy land of Bharatavarsha.<ref name=":0">Bajaj, Jitendra and Mandayam, Srinivas. (1996) ''Annam Bahu Kurvita.'' Madras: Centre for Policy Studies Madras</ref>
  
== अन्नमहात्म्यम् '''||''' Greatness of Anna ==
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== अन्नमहात्म्यम् '''||''' Anna Mahatmya ==
The greatness of anna is proclaimed in several ways, like<ref name=":0" />
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The greatness of anna is proclaimed in several ways, since the Rig vedic times<ref name=":0" />
* अन्नं न निन्द्यात् । do not look down upon anna : Taittriya Upanishad (Anuvaka 7) <ref>Taittriya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80 Bhruguvalli])</ref>
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* Rig Veda describes the greatness of Anna (food) as supreme and extols Annadata in Sukta 117 of Mandala 10, a few mantras as follows<blockquote>स इद्भोजो यो गृहवे ददात्यन्नकामाय चरते कृशाय । अरमस्मै भवति यामहूता उतापरीषु कृणुते सखायम् ॥३॥ (Rig. Veda. 10.117.3)<ref name=":3">Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-10-sukta-117/ Mandala 10 Sukta 117])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''sa idbhojo yo gr̥have dadātyannakāmāya carate kr̥śāya । aramasmai bhavati yāmahūtā utāparīṣu kr̥ṇute sakhāyam ॥3॥''</blockquote>Meaning : one who gives charity of food to the weak and emaciated, he is the Daata and he not only attains the complete benefits of conducting yajna, but enemies also befriend him for one who gives charity is a friend of every one.<ref>Trivedi, Rama Govind. (1954) [https://archive.org/stream/RigVedaRamaGovindTrivediHindiRigVeda/Rig%20Veda%20Rama%20Govind%20Trivedi%20%28Hindi%20Rig%20Veda%29#page/n1557/mode/2up ''Hindi Rigveda.''] Prayag :  The Bharat's Press Ltd.</ref>
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* अन्नं न निन्द्यात् । do not look down upon anna : Taittriya Upanishad (Bhruguvalli Anuvaka 7) <ref name=":1">Taittriya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80 Bhruguvalli])</ref>
 
* अन्नं न परिचक्षीत । do not neglect anna : Tattriya Upanishad (Anuvaka 8)
 
* अन्नं न परिचक्षीत । do not neglect anna : Tattriya Upanishad (Anuvaka 8)
* अन्नं बहु कुर्वीत । तद्व्रतम् । endeavour to secure an abundance of anna : Tattriya Upanishad (Anuvaka 9)
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* अन्नं बहु कुर्वीत । तद्व्रतम् । endeavour to secure an abundance of anna, it is a sacred observance : Tattriya Upanishad (Bhruguvalli Anuvaka 9)
  
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* आहारशुद्धौ सतवशुद्धिः सत्त्वशुद्धौ ध्रुवा स्मृतिः। purity of food leads to purity of internal organs. From purification of internal organs comes unfailing memory : Chandogya Upanishad (7.26.2)<ref>Swami Gambhirananda (1983) ''[https://archive.org/stream/ChandogyaUpanishadSwamiGambhiranandaR.K.Mutt/Chandogya%20Upanishad%20%20Swami%20Gambhirananda%20R.K.%20Mutt#page/n603/mode/2up Chandogya Upanisad With The Commentary of Sri. Sankaracarya (English Translation).]'' Calcutta : Advaita Ashrama</ref>
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* अन्नमयँहि सोम्य मन आपोमयः प्राणस्तेजोमयी वागिति... । The mind is essentially formed of food, the prana is essentially formed of water and speech is essentially formed of fire. Chandogya Upanishad (6.5.4)<ref>Swami Gambhirananda (1983) ''[https://archive.org/stream/ChandogyaUpanishadSwamiGambhiranandaR.K.Mutt/Chandogya%20Upanishad%20%20Swami%20Gambhirananda%20R.K.%20Mutt#page/n479/mode/2up Chandogya Upanisad With The Commentary of Sri. Sankaracarya (English Translation).]'' Calcutta : Advaita Ashrama</ref>
 
* अन्नं ब्रह्म यतः प्रोक्तमन्ने प्राणाः प्रतिष्ठिताः। Annam brahma, because upon the said anna rests the prana or life : Matsya Purana (83.42) <ref>Matsya Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AE%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 83])</ref>
 
* अन्नं ब्रह्म यतः प्रोक्तमन्ने प्राणाः प्रतिष्ठिताः। Annam brahma, because upon the said anna rests the prana or life : Matsya Purana (83.42) <ref>Matsya Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AE%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 83])</ref>
The Rik sukta extols the greatness of "Anna (food) as brahma(supreme).  one such angirasa sukta( rik veda, 10th mandal 117 sukta is summarized as follows;
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* अन्नं ह्यमृतमित्याहुरन्नं प्रजननं स्मृतम्। अन्नप्रणाशे सीदन्ति शरीरे पञ्च धातवः॥ Food is indeed the preserver of life and food is the source of procreation. When there is no food, the five elements constituting the body cease to be. Mahabharata (14.108.38)<ref name=":0" />
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The following four verses in continuation with the above sloka from Mahabharata, Asvamedhika parva, define the pre-eminence of food in the creation and sustenance of all life. <blockquote>बलं बलवतो नश्येदन्नहीनस्य देहिनः। तस्मादन्नं विशेषेण श्रद्धयाश्रद्धयापि वा॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.39)</blockquote><blockquote>आदत्ते हि रसं सर्वमादित्यः स्वगभस्तिभिः। वायुस्तस्मात्समादाय रसं मेघेषु धारयेत्॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.40)</blockquote><blockquote>तत्तु मेघगतं भूमौ शक्रो वर्षति तादृशम्। तेन दिग्धा भवेद्देवी मही प्रीता च भारत॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.41)</blockquote><blockquote>तस्यां सस्यानि रोहन्ति यैर्जीवन्त्यखिलाः प्रजाः। मांसमेदोऽस्थिमज्जानां सम्भवस्तेभ्य एव हि॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.42)</blockquote><blockquote>''balaṁ balavato naśyedannahīnasya dehinaḥ। tasmādannaṁ viśeṣeṇa śraddhayāśraddhayāpi vā॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.39)''</blockquote><blockquote>''ādatte hi rasaṁ sarvamādityaḥ svagabhastibhiḥ। vāyustasmātsamādāya rasaṁ megheṣu dhārayet॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.40)''</blockquote><blockquote>''tattu meghagataṁ bhūmau śakro varṣati tādr̥śam। tena digdhā bhaveddevī mahī prītā ca bhārata॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.41)''</blockquote><blockquote>''tasyāṁ sasyāni rohanti yairjīvantyakhilāḥ prajāḥ। māṁsamedo'sthimajjānāṁ sambhavastebhya eva hi॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.42)''</blockquote>Summary : Without food even a strong man loses all his strength. Therefore, food, whether taken in reverence or otherwise, has a special place in life. Aditya or Surya, through his rays, draws out the vital essences, and Vayu gathers these and places them in the clouds. The vital essences thus collected in the clouds are showered back on the earth by Indra. Suffused with the showers, the Bhudevi, O Bharata! is verily in contentment. Out of the contented earth grow the food-crops, which sustain all life. Flesh, fat, bone, and marrow are formed of these alone.
  
it is not the desire of the devas that human being should die because of hunger.  even those who eat nicely also die. Therefore those who perform charity of grains will never find any scarcity in their life.  one who is very stingy does not get any happiness or help at the end of his life. Therefore there is no connection between hunger and death(devas wants us to perform charity while enjoying one's own personal life too).   Death does not make discrimination between those are hungry and those who are not, both do die eventually.  Therefore, for the sake of being charitable human beings should give charity.   one who does not give charity even after having so much of wealth, no one sympathize with such wealthy people in their unhappiness and neither any one prays for their happiness.   but one who gives charity of food, he not only attains the benefits of conducting yagna, but also influences the enemy to befriend him.  for one who gives charity every one is friend.  some people do not do good to the very people who follow them.  This is not real friendship.  Those who desire food, should not associate with such people without sharing of food, friendship cannot survive.  The greedy cannot be real friend, even if he acts as if is one such friend.  
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Thus in these five verses Srikrishna summarizes all that needs to be said about the importance of food. These precepts appear again and again in the Bharat's literature in different forms and different contexts.<ref name=":0" />
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== अन्नस्य जलोद्भवम्॥ Anna Originates from Jala ==
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Mahabharata, in Anushasana Parva lays down the importance of Jala or water giving rise to anna and the different forms that constitute anna for different beings.<blockquote>नीरजातश्च भगवान्सोमो ग्रहगणेश्वरः। अमृतं च सुधा चैव स्वाहा चैव स्वधा तथा॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.67.12) </blockquote><blockquote>अन्नौषध्यो महाराज वीरुधश्च जलोद्भवाः। यतः प्राणभृतां प्राणाः सम्भवन्ति विशाम्पते॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.67.13)</blockquote><blockquote>देवानाममृतं ह्यन्नं नागानां च सुधा तथा। पितॄणां च स्वधा प्रोक्ता पशूनां चापि वीरुधः॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.67.14)</blockquote><blockquote>''nīrajātaśca bhagavānsomo grahagaṇeśvaraḥ। amr̥taṁ ca sudhā caiva svāhā caiva svadhā tathā॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.67.12)''</blockquote><blockquote>''annauṣadhyo mahārāja vīrudhaśca jalodbhavāḥ। yataḥ prāṇabhr̥tāṁ prāṇāḥ sambhavanti viśāmpate॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.67.13)''</blockquote><blockquote>''devānāmamr̥taṁ hyannaṁ nāgānāṁ ca sudhā tathā। pitr̥̄ṇāṁ ca svadhā proktā paśūnāṁ cāpi vīrudhaḥ॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.67.14)''</blockquote>Soma, the devata for grahas, celestial bodies, is born of water and so are Amrta, Sudha, Svaha, Svadha. Oh Maharaja ! so are anna (food grains), oshadhis (medicinal plants), and virudhas (grasses). All living beings are born of and live on these various annas that are born of water. Of these, amrta is said to be the anna of devatas, sudha of the nagas, svadha of the pitrus, and virudhas of the animals.<ref name=":0" />
  
The wealthy person, if does not give charity to those who are seeking charity, his wealth does not stay, just like how the chariot wheel does not stay in one place, it moves on to somebody else.  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.)
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That anna arises from rains and water is also given in Shrimad Bhagavadgita (3.14)
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== अन्नात्पुरुषः॥ Purusha Originates from Anna ==
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In Taittriya Upanishad, the teaching of brahmavidya, starts with an exposition of how Brahman creates and manifests himself in the Universe.<blockquote>तस्माद्वा एतस्मादात्मन आकाशः संभूतः । आकाशाद्वायुः । वायोरग्निः । अग्नेरापः । अद्भ्यः पृथिवी । पृथिव्या ओषधयः । ओषधीभ्योऽन्नम् । अन्नात्पुरुषः । (Tait. Upan. Brah. 2.1)<ref name=":2">Taittriya Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80 Brahmanandavalli Anuvaka 1])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''tasmādvā etasmādātmana ākāśaḥ saṁbhūtaḥ । ākāśādvāyuḥ । vāyoragniḥ । agnerāpaḥ । adbhyaḥ pr̥thivī । pr̥thivyā oṣadhayaḥ । oṣadhībhyo'nnam । annātpuruṣaḥ । (Tait. Upan. Brah. 2.1)''</blockquote>From that Brahman, who is also this atma, the individual self of the seeker, was born akasa, the elementary space. From akasa was born vayu, the elementary winds. From vayu was born agni, the elementary fire. From agni were born apah, the elementary waters. From apah were born osadhls, the elementary vegetation. From osadhis was born anna, the elementary food. And from anna was born purusa, the man.<ref name=":0" />
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=== Annamaya Purusha ===
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The purusa here stands for the man — for the individuated self — according to Sri Sankara. To emphasize the annamayatva, the attribute of being born from anna, of the purusa the seer says:<blockquote>स वा एष पुरुषोऽन्नरसमयः । तस्येदमेव शिरः । अयं दक्षिणः पक्षः । अयमुत्तरः पक्षः । अयमात्मा । इदं पुच्छं प्रतिष्ठा । तदप्येष श्लोको भवति ॥ (Tait. Upan. Brah. 2.1)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>''sa vā eṣa puruṣo'nnarasamayaḥ । tasyedameva śiraḥ । ayaṁ dakṣiṇaḥ pakṣaḥ । ayamuttaraḥ pakṣaḥ । ayamātmā । idaṁ pucchaṁ pratiṣṭhā । tadapyeṣa śloko bhavati ॥ (Tait. Upan. Brah. 2.1)''</blockquote>That, this purusa, is indeed formed of anna and rasa, food and the vital essences derived from food. Of him, the purusa, indeed is this head; of him is this right side; this left side; of him is this middle torso; and of him is this lower torso. It is about him that the following sloka is said.  
  
It is said knowledge is also food.  The brahaman who understand the essence of the vedas and teaches others is better than those who are simply born in brahamana family.   if by some chance the charitable person is the relative of miser, by the association of charitable person the miser might become charitable.  The difference between magnanimous and miser can be explained by this example: one who walks with one leg cannot walk like the person who has both the legs, he will take longer time to reach the destination.   but those who are having three legs can walk or reach the destination faster.   but the person who has four legs he is the best person.  here leg represents the power of wealth.  
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Taittriya Upanishad reveals the annamaya-, pranamaya-, manomaya-, vijnanamaya- and anandamayapurusa, sequentially, in the manner of removing layers of husk to reveal the grain of rice, as Sri Sankara puts it. But in the beginning, and providing form to all those others, is the annamayapurusa.<ref name=":0" />
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== अन्नदेवता ॥ Annadevata ==
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In the Taittriya Brahmana of the Krishna yajurveda we hear annadevata, the devata residing in food, himself speaking about the importance of food and of the inviolability of the discipline of giving before eating, in words that are often reminiscent of the teachings of Bhiksu Angirasa. The eighth anuvaka of the eighth prapathaka of the second astaka of the brahmana quotes the annadevata proclaiming thus:<blockquote>अहमस्मि प्रथमजा ऋतस्य । पूर्वं देवेभ्यो अमृतस्य नाभिः । यो मा ददाति स इदेव माऽऽवाः । अहमन्नमन्नमदन्तमद्मि । (Tait. Brah. 2.8.8)<ref>Taittriya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AE Kanda 2 Prapathaka 8])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''ahamasmi prathamajā r̥tasya । pūrvaṁ devebhyo amr̥tasya nābhiḥ । yo mā dadāti sa ideva mā<nowiki>''</nowiki>vāḥ । ahamannamannamadantamadmi । (Tait. Brah. 2.8.8)''</blockquote>I, the annadevata, am the first progenitor of yajna: the first yajna born of me. It is I who, at the earliest times, become the nucleus of amrta for the devas. The one who gives me is in fact the one who obtains me. On the other hand, the one who does not give is consumed by me. I am the annadevata, I eat the one who does not give anna.<blockquote>अन्नं प्राणमन्नमपानमाहुः । अन्नं मृत्युं तमु जीवातुमाहुः । अन्नं ब्रह्माणो जरसं वदन्ति । अन्नमाहुः प्रजननं प्रजानाम् । (Tait. Brah. 2.8.8)</blockquote><blockquote>''annaṁ prāṇamannamapānamāhuḥ । annaṁ mr̥tyuṁ tamu jīvātumāhuḥ । annaṁ brahmāṇo jarasaṁ vadanti । annamāhuḥ prajananaṁ prajānām । (Tait. Brah. 2.8.8)''</blockquote>Anna is said to be both prana and apana, the two forms of the breath of life that permeate the body. Anna is the giver of life, and also the extinguisher of it. It is said that anna is the cause of aging. Anna is said to be the progenitor of all progeny.<ref name=":0" />
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== अनन्नदानं गृहस्थधर्मः ॥ Annadana is Grhasthadharma ==
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There  arises  many  an  occasion  in  Bharat's  traditional literature  to celebrate  the  centrality  of  the [[Grhasthashrama (गृहस्थाश्रमः)|grhastha  ashrama]]  amongst  the  four ashramas,  the four  stages  of  life  that  a person is expected to  follow sequentially in  a lifetime.
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=== गृहस्थधर्मः ॥ Grhasthadharma ===
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One  of the most attractive  statements of  this centrality occurs in  the anusasanaparvan  of [[Mahabharata]], where  Bhishma  narrates  how  in  earlier  times Srikrishna undertakes great austerities  on  the  Himalayas, and upon his urging, Narada begins  to recall a long discussion, on different  aspects  of dharma reflected as [[Uma Shankara Samvada (उमाशङ्करयोः संवादः)]] while  they are  living the life  of a happy man  and wife  on  the  Himalayas, which  in  the presence  of the  divine  couple joyously blossom  with natural splendour  and  beauty.
  
four leg represents greatest charitable person.  another eg;- what the power right hand will have the left hand may not have, even though they look similar.  Some cows may have give birth to same number of calves, but they do not give same amount of milk.  All children are not born with same power and resources, similarly people from same family may not be charitable like other family member.  But every one should endeavor to be charitable.  
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To answer the question as to who should perform annadana, the texts have laid down many principles to grhasthas regarding the offering to food to devatas, men and other bhutas (animals, birds, insects). Though annadana has to be performed by everyone based on their capacity, it is the responsibility of the grhastha to provide for the sustenance of the daily routine of life around him, which is celebrated in the Bharat's classical texts as the [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajna]].  
  
This is the foundation of the Bharitya Sanatana culture. This is the difference between western culture and our eternal Sanatan culture.  The reason for poverty and hunger caused by scarcity can be traced to neglecting our civilizational principles.  Culture cannot sustain on a hungry stomach. Basic necessities of life and wisdom that shape our life in family life and those who are instrumental in building and sustaining our family, like women, food, and beauty should never be on sale. Anna|अन्न, Veda and beauty when commodified have dangerous consequences that destroy life and wellbeing. The principles enshrined in our shastras clearly reveal the degradation of ‘modern’ lifestyles due to the disconnect with our traditional systems and  kind of life.  
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Panchamahayajna is such an important observance for the Bharat'ss that references to it are found in all Bharat's literature: in the timeless vedas, the ancient itihasas and puranas, and in the smrtis and dharmasastras of all ages.<ref name=":0" />
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==== वैश्वदेवम् ॥ Vaisvadeva ====
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Grhyasutras lay down the principles that householders should offer cooked food to deities (Vaisvedeva) in grhya fires or ordinary fire. For example, Agni, Dhanvantri, Visvedevas, Prajapati and Svistakrt (Agni) are the deities according to Gautama sutras. According to Manu (3.84 to 86) the deities are Agni, Soma, Agnisoma, the Visvedevas, Dhanvantri, Kuhu, Anumati, Prajapati, Dyavaprthvi and Svistakrt (Agni). There are various versions of the rituals to be followed as given in different sutras.<ref name=":12">Kane, Pandurang. Vaman. (1941) ''History of Dharmasastra, Volume Two, Part 2.'' Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>
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==== बलिहरणम् ॥ Baliharana or Bhutayajna ====
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In [[Bhuta Yajna (भूतयज्ञः)|Bhutayajna]], bali is to be offered not into fire but on the ground, which is wiped and cooked food is placed on it. These directions to give food even to outcasts, dogs and birds were the outcome of the noble sentiment of universal kindliness and charity, the idea that One Spirit pervades and illumines the even the meanest of creatures and binds all together. Shankhayana Grhyasutras (2.14) winds up its vaisvadeva section with this fine exhortation :<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>भोजयेच्छ्वभ्यः श्वपचेभ्यश्च वयोभ्यश्चावपेद्भूमाविति नानवत्तमश्नीयान्नैको न पूर्वं । तदप्येतदृचोक्तं मोघमन्नं विन्दते अप्रचेता इति २६ (2.14.25 -26)<ref>Shankhayana [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Grhyasutras]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''bhojayecchvabhyaḥ śvapacebhyaśca vayobhyaścāvapedbhūmāviti nānavattamaśnīyānnaiko na pūrvaṁ । tadapyetadr̥coktaṁ moghamannaṁ vindate apracetā iti 26 (2.14.25 -26)''</blockquote>Let him throw food to dogs, to svapachas (eaters of dog-flesh), to birds on the ground; let him eat nothing without having cut off a portion (to be offered as a bali); let him not eat alone, nor before others (relatives and guests) since the Rig Veda mantra says "the fool gets food in vain" <blockquote>मोघमन्नं विन्दते अप्रचेताः सत्यं ब्रवीमि वध इत्स तस्य । नार्यमणं पुष्यति नो सखायं केवलाघो भवति केवलादी ॥६॥ (Rig Veda. 10.117.6)<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''moghamannaṁ vindate apracetāḥ satyaṁ bravīmi vadha itsa tasya । nāryamaṇaṁ puṣyati no sakhāyaṁ kevalāgho bhavati kevalādī ॥6॥''</blockquote>The same idea is reverberated in Shrimad Bhagavadgita (3.13), Manusmriti (3.118) and Vishnu Dharmasutras (67.43).<ref name=":12" />
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==== मनुष्ययज्ञः ॥ Manushyayajna (Atithi and Abhyagata) ====
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In the Mahabharata, Srikrishna, while advising Yudhisthira on the discipline of annadana, emphasizes this fundamental distinction between a guest who is already acquainted and the one who comes unknown and uninvited. The former, Srikrishna says, is called abhyagata (अभ्यागतः), the latter alone is an atithi (अतिथिः)  <blockquote>अभ्यागतो ज्ञातपूर्वो ह्यज्ञातोऽतिथिरुच्यते। (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.101.57)</blockquote><blockquote>''abhyāgato jñātapūrvo hyajñāto'tithirucyate।''</blockquote>A grhastha, of course, must offer reverential hospitality to both the abhyagata and the atithi. But it is the feeding of the atithi that forms an essential component of manusyayajna or [[Nru Yajna (नृयज्ञः)|Nru Yajna]]. The abhyagata is like a member of the household and, as Manu would explain later, he eats after the atithis, along with the family of the host.
  
Sri Veda Vyasa in his kuta () Sloka instructs the above principle.
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The coming of an unknown, uninvited and unexpected atithi in the evening, Manu says, is like a fortune fetched to the householder's door by the setting sun himself. Such an atithi should be cared for with the greatest reverence. As Manusmrti puts it:<blockquote>अप्रणोद्योऽतिथिः सायं सूर्योढो गृहमेधिना । काले प्राप्तस्त्वकाले वा नास्यानश्नन्गृहे वसेत् । । ३.१०५ (Manu. Smri. 3.105)</blockquote><blockquote>''apraṇodyo'tithiḥ sāyaṁ sūryoḍho gr̥hamedhinā । kāle prāptastvakāle vā nāsyānaśnangr̥he vaset । । 3.105''</blockquote>A guest who comes in the evening is brought to the householder's house by the sun himself. He should never be turned away. And, he should never be made to stay hungry in the house, whether he comes at the proper or the improper time.
  
Atta Shula janapadaah
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Visnupurana says that the papa (पापम्) of turning away a guest arriving after sunset is eight times worse than that earned by turning away a guest during the day.<ref name=":0" />
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=== राजधर्मः ॥ Rajadharma ===
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The king is a great grhastha, who is charged with extraordinary grhastha responsibilities. Like a grhastha he has the responsibility to provide for the sustenance of all beings, especially the humans, who happen to be in his care. But, unlike an ordinary grhastha, he also has the responsibility to provide sustenance to those who, though not his direct dependents, happen to lack sustenance in society. The whole of the land is, in a way, part of his grhastha responsibility.
  
Shiva shulascha tushvita
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Apastamba dharmasutra (Patala 9), in fact, begins its discussion on rajadharma with what reads like a prescription for the installation of the king as a great grhastha.<blockquote>सर्वेष्वेवाजस्रा अग्नयः स्युः ६ अग्निपूजा च नित्या यथा गृहमेधे ७ आवसथे श्रोत्रियावरार्ध्यानतिथीन्वासयेत् ८ तेषां यथागुणमावसथाः शय्यान्नपानं च विदेयम् ९ (Apas. Dhar. 9.25.6 - 9)<ref>Apastamba [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AC-%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Dharmasutras]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''sarveṣvevājasrā agnayaḥ syuḥ 6 agnipūjā ca nityā yathā gr̥hamedhe 7 āvasathe śrotriyāvarārdhyānatithīnvāsayet 8 teṣāṁ yathāguṇamāvasathāḥ śayyānnapānaṁ ca videyam 9''</blockquote>Let the agni, the household-fire, burn unceasingly at all places: the vesma, the avasatha and the sabha. To all the three agnis, offer reverential worship everyday, in the manner prescribed for a grhastha. In the avasatha offer hospitality to all atithis, all those who come, beginning with the srotriyas, the ones who are well read in the vedas. To them, the atithis in the avasatha, offer proper room, bed and food, and let the offerings be appropriate to the accomplishments of each.<ref name=":0" />
  
Kesha shulaah striyo Rajan
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The king being essentially a great grhastha, he shares as it were in the papa of all grhasthas who eat without having first fed the hungry. Thus says Bhishma, to Yudhisthira in the Shantiparva or राजधर्मानुशासनपर्व<blockquote>अभृतानां भवेद्भर्ता भृतानामन्ववेक्षकः। (Maha. Shan. 12.57.19)</blockquote><blockquote>''abhr̥tānāṁ bhavedbhartā bhr̥tānāmanvavekṣakaḥ।''</blockquote>Be the provider of the unprovided. And carefully look after those who happen to be in your care.<ref name=":0" />
  
Bhavishyanti yogakshaye
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The Mahabharata, Vanaparva documents when Yudhisthira is seen feeling sorry about the loss of his kingdom. And the loss he laments is not of the power and prestige of kingship, but of the resources necessary for looking after others. He shares his grief with Rishi Saunaka that bound by the discipline of grhastha ashrama, he should fail to provide for even his followers. Then he goes on to define the duties of the king as a grhastha:<blockquote>संविभागो हि भूतानां सर्वेषामेव दृश्यते। तथैवापचमानेभ्यः प्रदेयं गृहमेधिना॥ (Maha. Vana. 3.2.52)</blockquote><blockquote>''saṁvibhāgo hi bhūtānāṁ sarveṣāmeva dr̥śyate। tathaivāpacamānebhyaḥ pradeyaṁ gr̥hamedhinā॥''</blockquote>There is a share of all bhutas, all beings, in everything. It is seen everywhere. Therefore, a grhastha must give a proper share of food to all those who do not cook for themselves. To the sick a bed to lie down, to the tired a place to sit, to the thirsty water to drink, and to the hungry a proper meal, must always be given. Yudhisthira's insistence on acquiring the means to provide proper share of food and sustenance to his followers is so intense that there seems no way he would leave it unfulfilled. He keeps worrying about the problem, and finally his kulapurohita, the family priest, Dhaumya, advises him to seek the blessings of the sun who, by virtue of his action of gathering and then raining water over the earth, happens to be the creator of all anna, all food:
  
(Mahabharata VANAPARVA chap 188 42)
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Yudhisthira accepts Dhaumya's advice and propitiates the sun, who then offers him an aksayapatra, a pot that will provide him unending quantities of food for twelve years. The pot, blessed by the sun, would fill everyday and would exhaust for the day only after DraupadI and Yudhisthira, having fed all their guests and dependents, partake of the food themselves.
  
Atta means grain in Sanskrita Shula is to sell, shiva is Veda, chatushvatha means Brahmanas Kesha means women. These have  cryptical  meaning.
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It is only after obtaining the aksayapatra, and thus the ability to look after those who are under his care and those who come seeking his hospitality, that Yudhisthira settles down to the life of an exile.
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== अनन्नदानस्य फलम् ॥ Consequence of Anannadana ==
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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. While many texts extol the greatness of annadana, the consequences of consciously not doing so (anannadana) is explicitly described in many texts such as Bhavishyapurana, Varaha Purana, and in later day texts such as Chaturvarga Chintamani of Hemadri.  
  
Attamannam shivo vedo
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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><blockquote>''dadasvānnaṁ dadasvānnaṁ dadasvānnaṁ yudhiṣṭhira ।।''</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 ।
  
Brahmanashcha chatushvatha
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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, had to live in want.  And he concludes that it must be because of their not having sufficiently given of food earlier (anannadana). Srirama says <blockquote>यन्न प्राप्यं तदप्राप्यं विद्यया पौरुषेण वा । सत्यो लोकप्रवादोऽयं नादत्तमुपतिष्ठति ॥ (Bhav. Pura. 4.169.6)</blockquote><blockquote>''yanna prāpyaṁ tadaprāpyaṁ vidyayā pauruṣeṇa vā । satyo lokapravādo'yaṁ nādattamupatiṣṭhati ॥''</blockquote>Meaning : What we have not earned, we shall not get, neither by knowledge, nor by education. It is truly said that what is not given, cannot be enjoyed.
  
Kesho bhagam suvikhyatam
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Recalling the Anannadana experience of Srirama, Srikrishna begins to tell the consequences of [[Raja Shveta and Anannadana (अनन्नदानम्)|Anannadana by Raja Shveta]], the raja 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. Raja Shveta  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.<ref name=":0" />
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== अन्नदानं सदाव्रतम् ॥ Annadana is Sadavrata ==
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The story of Raja Shveta also appears in the Varahapurana, where it is told by Sri Varaha to Dharani or Bhudevi, when she asks to be instructed about the vrata or sacred observance for earthly men. Sri Varaha says that long ago a similar request was made by Raja Shveta to Vashistha maharshi, to which the reply was<blockquote>अन्नं देहि सदा राजन् सर्वकालसुखावहम् ।। अन्नेन चैव दत्तेन किं न दत्तं महीतले ।।६०।। (Vara. Pura. 99.60) </blockquote><blockquote>सर्वेषामेव दानानामन्नदानं विशिष्यते ।। अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि अन्नेनैव च वर्द्धते ।।६१।। (Vara. Pura. 99.61)<ref>Varaha Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%AF Adhyaya 99])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''annaṁ dehi sadā rājan sarvakālasukhāvaham ।। annena caiva dattena kiṁ na dattaṁ mahītale ।।60।। (Vara. Pura. 99.60)''</blockquote><blockquote>''sarveṣāmeva dānānāmannadānaṁ viśiṣyate ।। annādbhavanti bhūtāni annenaiva ca varddhate ।।61।। (Vara. Pura. 99.61)''</blockquote>O King ! give food. Giving good ensures well-being at all times. One who gives food gives all that is worth giving on the surface of the earth. Having given food, nothing remains un-given.<ref name=":0" />
  
Shulam tadvikrayam vidhuh
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However, Raja Shveta , unimpressed by Vashistha maharshi's advice, thought that food was too insignificant an object to be worthy of giving from the hands of a great king like him. The rest of the story follows as given in [[Raja Shveta and Anannadana (अनन्नदानम्)|Raja Shveta and Anannnadana]].
  
This is the commentary by previous teachers.
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Hemadri in Chaturvarga Chintamani, Vratakanda, also describes the importance of Annadana and recounts the story of Raja Shveta . While attributing his section on annadanamahatmya to the Bhavisyapurana, Hemadri adds that annadana is sadavrata (सदाव्रतम्).  
  
Marakandeya Rishi in a discussion with Yudhisthira gives the above understanding. The scarcity that prevails during drought is because food has become the object of buying and selling. Brahmanas started selling Vedas, teaching it to students who were not ready to recieve the divine knowledge. Chastity will not be a a trait of the married women  
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Literally, sadavrata implies a vrata, a sacred observance, that is performed at all times. And from the context in which Hemadri uses this term, it obviously implies that while the various fasts and observances described in the rest of the vratakhanda are all undertaken at particular times — at particular seasons, particular days and particular conjunctions of the celestial objects — the vrata of annadana is not subject to the considerations of time. It is to be undertaken always, at all times. Annadana is sadavrata, while all others are naimittikavratas, vratas of specified times and occasions.
  
(chatushvatha Means where four roads meet,  In that the sensual prostitutes roam around)
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Sadavrata, incidentally, is the name that Bharat'ss across the country prefer to use for annadana even today.<ref name=":0" />
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== अन्नबाहुल्यम् ॥ Sharing Food ==
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The story of Raja Shveta , depicts the the terrible papa of eating with one's doors shut upon others; of having one's fill, while men, animals and birds around remain un-fed; and of enjoying a meal while young children watch with hungry eyes. The great and righteous Raja Shveta sitting all alone on the banks of a beauteous lake in the midst of a rich forest full of delicious roots and fruit, and eating the flesh of his own corporeal body, represents the culmination of such eating without sharing.
  
In traditional India, Education, Food and Medicines were made available to all through the temple system without charge. Paid teachers (अध्यपक ||adyapaka), commodifing women to arouse sensuality is the outcome of the western economic model of development imposed on the world and India in particular post-colonization. Westernization post industrialization and urbanization has proved detrimental to our cultural value systems. With the number of people questioning as “how this is wrong?” I am beginning to have doubts on whether this malaise that has afflicted our society can ever be cured.  We can answer them that this whole business is nothing but money is being installed over values and worshipped, not many are realizing this.
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The fate that befalls Sveta is thus the fruit of his conduct. This attitude is enshrined in the most basic of Bharat's texts. Thus, the Taittriyopanishad advises in its resounding verses:<blockquote>न कञ्चन वसतौ प्रत्याचक्षीत । तद्व्रतम् । तस्माद्यया कया च विधया बह्वन्नं प्राप्नुयात् । अराध्यस्मा अन्नमित्याचक्षते । ... । एदद्वा अन्ततोऽन्नँराद्धम् । अन्ततोऽस्मा अन्नँराध्यते ॥ १ ॥(Tait. Upan. Bhru. 10.1) <ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>''na kañcana vasatau pratyācakṣīta । tadvratam । tasmādyayā kayā ca vidhayā bahvannaṁ prāpnuyāt । arādhyasmā annamityācakṣate । ... । edadvā antato'nnam̐rāddham । antato'smā annam̐rādhyate ॥ 1 ॥''</blockquote>Do not send away anyone who comes to your door, without offering him food and hospitality. That is the inviolable discipline of mankind; and the one, who prepares and gives food in a small measure with low care and veneration, obtains food in the same small measure and with similar abjectness.
  
Na hi jnanena sadrasam pavitram iha vidhyate (Gita Ch 4 V)
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Therefore, have a great abundance of food, and exert all your efforts towards ensuring such abundance; and announce to the world that this abundance of food is ready, to be partaken of by all.<ref name=":0" />
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== अन्नदानमाहात्म्यम् || Annadana Mahatmya ==
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The role of anna and annadana is greatly acclaimed in achieving the Purushardharas (Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha) and this aspect is highlighted in various texts. The greatness of Anna and Annadana are stressed upon in Vanaparva, Anushasana parva and Asvamedhika parva of Mahabharata. 
  
There is nothing as sublime as knowledge, this is one of the main tenets of our eternal value system.  If we believe that knowledge can be sold for money then in the places where wisdom is worshiped only money will be eulogized.
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In the Mahabharata, Bhishma describing the greatness of annadana and jaladana to Yudhisthira, says<blockquote>न तस्मात्परमं दानं किञ्चिदस्तीति मे मनः। अन्नात्प्राणभृतस्तात प्रवर्धन्ते 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><blockquote>''na tasmātparamaṁ dānaṁ kiñcidastīti me manaḥ। annātprāṇabhr̥tastāta pravardhante hi sarvaśaḥ॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.67.5)''</blockquote><blockquote>''tasmādannaṁ paraṁ loke sarvalokeṣu kathyate। annādbalaṁ ca tejaśca prāṇināṁ vardhate sadā॥ (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.
  
Some argue that previously education systems were privately owned especially by the Brahmins and hence not available to all. It was the magnanimity of the colonial rulers that the illiterate natives received it. This thought process is a sign of soul cheating. This seems to be the narrative of the western Indologists and now the Indian historians. While it is true that in ancient India, the study of the Vedas were open to only those (across communities) who fulfilled the criteria of eligibilty, to say that that not every one benefitted from its study is  absolute fiction. Most signifcantly, the lifeskill (functional) knowledge systems was open to all people across Varnas (named the caste system by the East India Co Indologists). This fictional theory can be debunked by the fact that every Bhartaiya from Kanyakumari to Kashmir; Bengal to Punjab was connected through a common value system of Satya (सत्य), dharma (धर्म), Rta (ॠत), Ahimsa (अहिम्सा), Shanti (शन्ति) and other profound civilisaional values. Another question that arises that easily demolishes the theory of the ‘munificent’ whites is the lack of explanation to the wide dissemination and surival of literature and poetry based on the Ramayana and Mahabharatain multiple languages and across multiple geographical areas pre-English literacy systems.  
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Teaching the greatness of annadana to Yudhisthira, SriKrishna  says:<blockquote>अन्नेन धार्यते सर्वं जगदेतच्चराचरम्। अन्नात्प्रभवति प्राणः प्रत्यक्षं नास्ति संशयः॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.28)</blockquote><blockquote>''annena dhāryate sarvaṁ jagadetaccarācaram। annātprabhavati prāṇaḥ pratyakṣaṁ nāsti saṁśayaḥ॥''</blockquote>The world, both animate and inanimate, is sustained by food. Life arises from food: this is observed all around, and there can be no doubt about it. Therefore, one who wishes to attain well-being in this world and beyond should offer food to all who seek. One should give food in accordance with time and place, and should keep giving to the limits of one's capacity, even if it were to cause inconvenience to one's own family.  Finding an old person, a child, a tired traveler or a venerable one at the door, a householder should offer him worshipful  hospitality, with gladness in his heart, as he would to his own teacher. Desirous of well-being beyond this world, the householder should purge himself of all anger, all jealousy, and offer worshipful hospitality, with grace and courtesy, to the one who appears at the door. Never offer slight to a person appearing at your door, never let a falsehood escape from your lips in his presence, and never ever ask him about his lineage or learning. The one who appears at the door at the proper time, even if he were an outcaste or such a one as partakes of the flesh of dog, deserves to be worshipped with the offering of food by him who seeks well-being beyond this world.  
  
Further the requisite qualifications to understand and assimilate the Nirukta (), Vyakarana (grammar) and our profound scriptures were with a few, it is important to note that their benefits would be made available to all people. To spread a false canard that all knowledge should be known to all and that education was restricted to only a select few served only the purpose of the White traders to dominate India, not just pre-independence but even today. Further, the Western claim that all knowledge  should be open to all irrespective of the learner’s capacity is not a very intelligent claim. Apart from not being realistic it is also not a very desirable situation. For example,the function of electricity is to provide energy. Everyone need not learn its production technology. To argue that everyone needs to know, or else light is not real light is foolish & indicate the fallacies of the argument. Similarly, those who learn to drive a vehicle are not required to be manufacturers of the machine. Put simply, the through the efforts of few there should be legacy of satisfaction where the fruits of the knowledge are shared with the community. This the concept of collectivistic living as practised traditionally.
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O Yudhisthira! the one who shuts his door on all comers and indulges in the enjoyment of food for himself alone is certainly ensuring that the doors of heaven shall be shut upon him. And his virtue is indeed great who propitiates with food the ancestors, the gods, the sages, the venerable ones, the destitute and all those who appear at his door. The one who gives food to those who seek, and especially to the brahmana seekers, is rid of all papas, even if his papas were immense. The giver of food is the giver of life, and indeed of everything else. Therefore, one who is desirous of well-being in this world and beyond should specially endeavour to give food.<ref name=":0" />
  
The western systems of collectivising knowledge without an understanding into individual competencies and enterprise results in the erosion of collectivistic systems as causes distrust amongst each other attacking the successful educational systems that flourished pre-Islamic and Christian barbaric invasions. Notably with increase in western printing systems, did every one receive knowledge, this needs to be introspected on.  One can buy a ||Panchanga (Vedic calendar) at the local shop but that does ensure that one can master astronomy. In the current context of student indiscipline, indifference to gaining knowledge in teachers, interference of politics in education, some questions are inevitable.
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Mahabharata extols, in Asvamedhika Parva<blockquote>यस्मादन्नात्प्रवर्तन्ते धर्मार्थौ काम एव च। तस्मादन्नात्परं दानं नामुत्रेह च पाण्डव॥ (Maha. Asva. 14.101.28)</blockquote><blockquote>''yasmādannātpravartante dharmārthau kāma eva ca। tasmādannātparaṁ dānaṁ nāmutreha ca pāṇḍava॥''</blockquote>O Pandunandana ! The conduct of Dharma, Artha and Kama are by Anna, hence there is nothing greater than anna neither on earth nor in the other worlds.<ref>Shastri, Ramnarayanadatta Pandey. ''[https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n1001/mode/2up Mahabharata Volume 6 (With Hindi Translation)]'' Gorakhpur : Gita Press</ref>
# Who is responsible for this deterioration in our learning systems?
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== Legends about Annadana ==
# Who is responsible for nothing concrete having been accomplished notwithstanding talk of reverting to our ancient Gurukula systems of education?
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While texts abound with sacrifice and dana of great kings such as [[Shibi Chakravarti (शिबिचक्रवर्तिः)|Shibi Chakravarti]] (who gave away his own flesh to save a dove) and [[Rantideva (रन्तिदेवः)|Rantideva]] (who showed exceptional hospitality), there are legends about the greatness of Annadana given in Mahabharata.
# What is the difference between a teacher working for money and the mason who breaks stones for a living?   
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=== नकुलाख्यानम् ॥ Nakulakhyana ===
In the final analysis, it is seen that since economic development has become the sole purpose of families, teachers and governance sytems resulting in the the commodification of education system, the underlying principle value of our culture of serving society is radically declining in our teachers.
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Mahabharata contains a beautiful story called Nakulakhyana , where Yudhishthira learns how all his dana of gold and lands, may not be worth that of a fistful of sattu (सत्तू । dish made of barley), given by a starving Brahmin family to an unexpected guest.
  
There is one test;  In a country where all the profession if it is explained and all the salary is given according to common average for example a railway porter, postman, soldier, and the teacher or the profession in the university, all of them are given equal salary then it is but certain that people will choose to be a railway porter and given up educational institutions.
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At the end of Yudhisthira's asvamedhayajna — the great yajna during which mountains of grains and rivers of ghee were consumed, and kings and people from all over the world were served for days and months together — a mongoose gets up and adopting a human voice says:
  
This is not just an example but the concept of saying that let the work load be less and less and earning could be higher and higher to all.  But the problem is that money has been connected to education, therefore those who are not qualified are trying to acquire that position.  If money is separated from education, all discord would disappear. One who has the curiosity and interest to acquire knowledge will put in all efforts to learn even if he has to tie, he would never give up because he’ll be satisfied in giving knowledge.
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"O kings of the earth, this great yajna of yours has not yet equaled the one single measure of roasted grain given away by a generous resident of Kuruksetra, who himself used to live off the left-over grains painstakingly collected from harvested fields and marketplaces."
  
This is how education was in ancient India based upon a collectivistic and co-operative values as with food. This was unlike the West that is centered around competition and individualism. The varna system was also based on the same principle. However, Indology and western academic hegemony that came in post the East India Company imperialism portrayed varnasharam||Varnashrama as uncivilized barbaric system prompting social injustice and suppression of certain groups (Shudras & women). This is the narrative that our governance systems (families/schools and politicians) followed even post-independence as strategised and intended by our colonisers. This is responsible for the sad state of affairs in terms of education, health and the economy in our country.
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And on being asked the reason for this unbelievable assertion, the mongoose begins to tell the story of [[Annadana by Unchavrtti Brahmana (उञ्छवृत्तिब्राह्मणः)]] austere, but generous, brahmana of Kuruksetra. (Maha. Asva. 90.7)
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=== कपोतदम्पती कथा ॥ Story of Kapotadampati ===
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The Mahabharata records another touching story of a host giving up his all, in fact his very life, to satisfy the hunger of the even an unworthy cruel guest. The host in this other story is a bird, a pigeon, and the guest a hunter who has earlier encaged the bird-wife of the pigeon. The story is in a way a premonition of the story that the mongoose tells towards the end of Yudhisthira's asvamedhayajna: the story of the brahmana who gathers his food grain by grain, like a pigeon, and gives up what he has gathered for the sake of a guest, putting his own life and the life of his entire family in jeopardy.  
  
While not decrying the value of competition for a person in being competent and successful, the resulting deep disparities that emerge from the globally imposed capitalistic Western development model should a matter of deep concern for all stakeholders. The analogy is that in a modern competitive economic and social system my neighbour is dying of hunger as my wealth has been accumulated by squeezing other people for huge profits. This mad rush to accumulate wealth by a few people has destroyed many countries as seen by the economic kind of competition it will destroy many, many civilizations, where ever there is competition for grain that will certainly cause trouble for the society.
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Bhishma tells Yudhisthira, the heart rendering story of [[Atithi Satkara by Kapotadampati (कपोतदम्पती)]] where a couple of self-sacrificing pigeons offer hospitality to a hunter, in the apaddharma-parva of shantiparva. Bhishma says that in earlier times it was told to Mucukunda by Parasurama, when the former had sought to know the dharma of looking after one who comes to the abode seeking protection.
  
One of the greatest philosophers of our times, Bertrand Russell was critical of the competitive spirit propagated by the West. The consequences of unbridled competition and individualism are felt at all levels-individual, nation, society and the economy as it promotes unbridled consumerism, creates wealth disparities and subsequent chaos. Notably, the Western economic development, imposed by the Anglo-Saxons globally has apart from income disparities but has also been the main cause of social and environmental disconnectedness. The idea of making profit through others impoverishment has also been castigated in Bertrand Russell’s book “Ideas that have harmed mankind”. Russell points that the damage done by Christian dogma, Nazism and Communism are prime examples of how particular ideologies can cause harm and inflict great pain. Not making just a political statement, Russell believes that these ideas have done so with complete human understanding and acknowledgement.
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Such is the foundation of the Bharitya Sanatana Dharma. This is the difference between western culture and our eternal Sanatana culture.  The reason for poverty and hunger caused by scarcity can be traced to neglecting our civilizational principles. Culture cannot sustain on a hungry stomach. Basic necessities of life and wisdom that shape our life in family life and those who are instrumental in building and sustaining our family, like women, food, and beauty should never be on sale. Anna, Veda and beauty when commodified have dangerous consequences that destroy life and wellbeing. The principles enshrined in our shastras clearly reveal the degradation of ‘modern’ lifestyles due to the disconnect with our traditional systems and  kind of life.
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== Annavitarana Vs Annavikrayana ==
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In traditional India anna was served to all through charitable centres patronised by kings. The most important duty of the king was to protect the citizens; not just by power but also by taking care of their needs. And for the satisfaction of the citizens, annadana was the greatest charity. To fulfill this duty, many occasions would present themselves where the yajnas would be conducted. The Mahabharata describes the Janmajeya’s Sarpayagya and its famous Saunaka Anna Satra.  Annavitarana (distribution of food) became an intrinsic part of our cultural values and several cultural festivities were woven into it. It also provided opportunities for elevation of one’s soul.
  
British poet D.H. Lawerence  asserts that the fight for survival has indeed become challenging. Living should be free like the birds. "Why should there be any competition for breathing, for life, for sheer survival? Just as birds are free to fly and live, similarly human beings should also have freedom to choose what they want. Food should be free, shelter should be free, fire should be free to all and anybody all over the world. Rice and grain should be free.  shade under the tree, shelter, should be free, fire should be free   The world does not belong to a particular individual. Work is the clue  of man’s life, work should be free work and not just for money but for fun."
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In the final analysis, a clear distinction needs to be made between Annadana enveloped with daivabhava and Anna that is sold only for making profit (Annavikrayana). Arising from fear of not having control, politicians create artificial famines as people who do not have Anna will be meek and focused on gathering food that they can easily be fooled by these leaders. While this was seen in several parts of the world, its shadow seems to be falling  on Bharatavarsha also.
 
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== References ==
Work has to be the guiding force of human life and so should be self-inspired, with objective of not just making money but for personal satisfaction and happiness.
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<references />
 
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[[Category:Danas]]
"Money is our madness, or our washed collective madness."
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[[Category:Annadana]]
 
 
This line states that money is madness, not just individual but collective madness over a period of time. The root of all present evil is that we have commodified everything and profit rules our decisions and lifestyles due to which ultimately we end up treating each other as commodities and selling each other (Dr. H. Lawrence, Vol. 2.).
 
 
 
some western intellectuals understanding these above principles.  But in ancient India, this knowledge was passed on by the wise sages through the Guru-shishya parampara.  But present Indians should understand this.
 
 
 
The Taitreya Upanishad () also says that atithi (guest) should be considered God. Till recently, India has been treated as an ordinary country, yet a huge base of literature (Veda Sandesh) has underscored our cultural values of abundance and sharing. There are verses which glorify the act of charity of food in the vedas.   The  Brahmaand Valli Upanishad mentions that all living entities in this world are not only born of अन्न||Anna but are also sustained by it and finally disintegrate into it. Therefore, the shastras state that Anna is the highest  amongst all food and औशधि||medicines. There is a saying that one who knows the art of eating never become ill. The Vedic worldview therefore symbolises अन्न||Anna with Brahma. One who is aware of this equation is blessed with अन्न||Anna. The word  अन्न||Anna comes from Aadha dhaatu, which means things that can be eaten and is being eaten. Therefore it becomes anna.
 
 
 
Brighu Valli of Taittriya upanishada  reiterates this,  " one should never criticize Anna, it should be our vrata because the entire creation is annamaya, everywhere there is grain. As it is  ||prana, even the body can be seen as nothing but grain only. And as prana is situated in the body from another perspective, in this way prana is situated in the body therefore they are interconnected, they are co-operative to each other. Therefore, अन्न||Anna is situated in "annad" only and the one who understands this way will be  firmly rooted. He will never starve or will become giver of grain(annada) himself or will have lots of children and cattle and will be influencing with the power of brahma.  This would be the trajectory to fame and glory.
 
 
 
Also said is one should never reject or throw अन्न||Anna, that should be our ||vrata (Vow). The अन्न||Anna should be made increased( annam bahu kurvita) this should be the vrata. Anyone who comes to door step should not be refused अन्न||Anna.  One, especially those who do sattvik labour. Atithi satkar (sharing food with the guest) will become siddha for such a person, he will always have plenty. Such अन्न||Anna when shared  mukhatah madhayatah antatah, and with different gunas, satvik, rajsik, tamas, with this shradha,
 
 
 
If अन्न||Anna is given then according to the consciousness, one receives credit of giving that anna with the higher, middle and lower level of results. And such a charitable person will receive anna  where ever he goes, this has been very logically explained. And this very Taittriya upanishada summarizes the song of anna, "  that अन्न||Anna which is brahma swaroopa
 
 
 
“O aho! Aho! Aho!”, “I am anna, I am anna, I am anna, I have become anna! I have become anna! I have become anna!,
 
 
 
I am the shloka,  am the kartara, shloka kartara, shloka kartara, shloka kartara, I was born before the ritu,  I am senior to devatas and I am the navel and central point for umra tattva. And to give me to those who are in need is the only way to protect me. One who does not give अन्न||Anna to others, I devour him”. Therefore, this anna which is brahma swaroopi is “I am the uppa samhara and I am that surya jyoti which is having a golden hue”.
 
 
 
The Taitreya Brahmana (2.4.6) glorifies अन्न||Anna as prana () and as mrityu ().
 
 
 
“annam pranamanam panamanaham,
 
 
 
annam mrityuh tamaho jiavatmanahuhu,
 
 
 
satyam bravimi'
 
 
 
This verse says that in the society where अन्न||Anna is there, dhatritva (giving) is there as अन्न||Anna becomes the very breath of the society, very prana of society and therefore it protects them. Further it says that अन्न||Anna which unfortunately has been commodified and has become an object of sale has lead to exploitation of the society  and this explotation makes अन्न||Anna's death also. Despite their strength and power, the greedy leaders who exploit will be devoured by अन्न||Anna. This is the supreme truth as understood from the darshan of the vedas, and therefore it is so significant that there is no need for much to elaborate on this.
 
 
 
In traditional India अन्न||Anna was served to all through charitable centres patronised by kings. The most important duty of the king||Raja was to protect the citizens; it is not about being in power all the time. And for the satisfaction of the praja, annadaan was the greatest charity. To fulfill this duty, many occasions would present themselves where the yagyas would be conducted. The Mahabharata describes the Janmajeya’s Sarpayagya and its famous Saunaka Anna Satra.   Anna became an intrinsic part of our cultural values and several cultural festivities were woven into it. It also provided opportunities for elevation of one’s soul.
 
 
 
Therefore it is explain that even in such gurukulas
 
 
 
||eko dashashastrani younannadita bharta savai kulapati||
 
 
 
One who look after tens and thousands of students, such a Guru||teacher will have the ability to impart knowledge, was called as ||kulapati (chancellor).  In Kalidasa’s Shakuntala Kanva maharishi is also considered as a maharishi kulapati.  one may raise the question of,  "Is it fictional story? Is it possible to have such a capacity to feed and teach?  Why is it not happening now and why should it not happen? “ This question is very important.
 
 
 
Vidya, Education should be free as it was in Vedic times. However, this is only a dream, now it has remained only in words and while hoping for happy and prosperous kingdom.
 
 
 
||Bahubhyodiyate yatra traipayanti  pranino bahu kartaro bahovo  yatra tatsatrama  bhidiyate”,
 
 
 
just like the all the yagna which were perfumed as welfare to the society has been given up and hotels have mushroomed and they are selling food for money. To make money what will he not mix in food? they will put anything in that rice. But will he do that in his own food?
 
 
 
In the final analysis, a clear distinction needs to be made between ||Annadaana () enveloped with the love of God and अन्न||Anna that is sold only for making profit. Laws underlie these notions and laws have to be connected to Dharma. Those who live a contented due to the prosperity of अन्न||Anna, they live cultured life. Arising from fear of not having control, politicians may create artificial famines as people who do not have अन्न||Anna will be meek and focused on gathering food that they can easily be fooled by these leaders. While this was seen in several parts of the world, its shadow seems to be falling  on Bharat bhoomi (the land of Bharat) also. ||Samajik nayaya (social justice) can never be achieved through devious or selfish means as it is spoken in the past.
 
 
 
Sanatana dharma explains that one could achieve perfection by understanding that अन्न||Anna is synonymous to sanatana dharma. It therefore becomes mandatory for our people to realise that it is only through sanatana dharma that this be accomplished. As अन्न||Anna is brahmamaya(full of brahman), buying or selling अन्न||Anna is akin to selling the Gods||Devatas, its like rejecting the Divine. The right path is the Veda Marga that leads one to happiness, pleasure and prosperity, the basis for a stable and healthy society, this is Veda dharma. It thus becomes every individual’s duty to work hard re-establish Vedic concepts that will facilitate us to walk on the path of Dharma.
 
 
 
== अन्नदान महात्म्या||Annadanamahtmya: the greatness of the giving of food ==
 
Srikrsna's exposition of the essence of Bhisma's teachings is presented in just 15 verses. The first ten of these lay down the centrality of annadana, the giving of food, in the life of a householder; and the next 5 celebrate the greatness of food, its emergence out of the vital essences of earth and its intimate connection with all life. Most of the vast classical Indian literature on annadana, some of which we shall have occasion to recall in the following, seems to be in the nature of an elaboration of these 15 verses. Teaching the greatness of annadana to Yudhisthira, SriKrsna  says:
 
 
 
'''annena dhdryate sarvarh jagadetaccardcaram
 
annat prabhavati pranah pratyaksam nasti samsayah''' (Maha asvamedhika 92, p. 6355 )
 
 
 
 
 
The world, both animate and inanimate, is sustained by food. Life arises from food: this is observed all around, and there can be no doubt about it.
 
 
 
'''kalatram pidayitvd tu dese kale ca saktitah
 
ddtavyarh bhiksave cdnnamdtmano bhutimicchata'''
 
 
 
Therefore, one who wishes to attain well-being in this world and beyond should offer food to all who seek. One should give food in accordance with time and place, and should keep giving to the limits of one's capacity, even if it were to cause inconvenience to one's own family.
 
 
'''vipramadhvaparisrantam balarh vrddhamathapi vd
 
arcayed guruvat prito grhastho grhamdgatam
 
 
 
Finding an old person, a child, a tired traveler or a venerable one at the door, a householder should offer him worshipful  hospitality, with gladness in his heart, as he would to his own teacher.
 
 
 
'''krodhamutpatitam hitvd susilo vitamatsarah
 
arcayedatithim pritah paratra hitabhutaye'''
 
 
 
Desirous of well-being beyond this world, the householder should purge himself of all anger, all jealousy, and offer worshipful hospitality, with grace and courtesy, to the one who appears at the door.
 
 
 
'''atithim ndvamanyeta ndnrtdm giramirayet
 
na prcched gotracaranam nddhitarh vd kaddcana'''
 
 
 
Never offer slight to a person appearing at your door, never let a falsehood escape from your lips in his presence, and never ever ask him about his lineage or learning.
 
 
 
'''candalo va svapako vd kale yah kascidagatah
 
annena pujaniyah sydt paratra hitamicchatd'''
 
 
 
The one who appears at the door at the proper time, even if he were an outcaste or such a one as partakes of the flesh of dog, deserves to be worshipped with the offering of food by him who seeks well-being beyond this world.
 
 
 
'''pidhdya tu grhadvaram bhunkte yo 'nnarh prahrstavan
 
svargadvatapidhanam vai krtam tena yudhisthira'''
 
 
 
O Yudhisthira, the one who shuts his door on all comers and indulges in the enjoyment of food for himself alone is certainly ensuring that the doors of heaven shall be shut upon him.
 
 
 
'''pitfn devdnrsin viprdn atithimsca nirasrayan
 
yo narah pnnayatyannaistasya punya phalam mahat'''
 
 
 
And his virtue is indeed great who propitiates with food the ancestors, the gods, the sages, the venerable ones, the destitute and all those who appear at his door.
 
 
 
krtvd tu pdpam bahuso yo dadyadannamarthine
 
brdhmandya visesena sarvapdpaih pramucyate'''
 
 
 
The one who gives food to those who seek, and especially to the brahmana seekers, is rid of all sins, even if his sins were immense.
 
 
 
 
 
'''annadah pranado loke prdnadah sarvado bhavet
 
tasmadannam visesena ddtavyam bhutimicchata'''
 
 
 
The giver of food is the giver of life, and indeed of everything else. Therefore, one who is desirous of well-being in this world and beyond should specially endeavour to give food.
 
 
 
 
 
'''annarh hyamrtamityahurannam prajananam smrtam
 
annapranase sidanti safirepanca dhatavah
 
 
 
Food is indeed the preserver of life and food is the source of procreation. When there is no food, the five elements constituting the body cease to be.
 
 
 
'''balam balavato nasyedannahinasya dehinah
 
tasmadannam visesena sraddhayasraddhayapi va
 
 
 
Without food even a strong man loses all his strength. Therefore food, whether taken in reverence or otherwise, has a special place in life.
 
 
 
5 Maha asvamedhika 92, pp. 6355-6
 
 
 
'''ddatte hi rasam sarvamddityah svagabhastibhih
 
vdyustasmdt samddaya rasam meghesu dharayet
 
tat tu meghagatam bhumau sakro varsati tadrsam
 
tena digdhd bhaved devi mahiprita ca bharata
 
 
 
The sun, through his rays, draws out the vital essences, and vayu, the wind god, gathers these and places them in the clouds. The vital essences thus collected in the clouds are
 
showered back on the earth by indra. Suffused with the showers, e goddess earth, O Bharata, is verily in contentment.
 
 
 
'''tasyarh sasydni rohanti yairjivantyakhilah prajah
 
mamsamedo 'sthimajjdndm sambhavastebhya eva hi'''
 
 
 
The next verses define the pre-eminence of food in the creation;and sustenance of all life.Out of the contented earth grow the food-crops, which sustain all life. Flesh, fat, bone and marrow are formed of these alone. Thus in these fifteen verses Srikrsna says all that needs to be said the importance of food and the giving of food. He defines the major precepts associated with annadana: the great and incomparable virtue associated with the giving of food, the imperative of offering food to others before eating for oneself, the imperative of giving food in worshipful humility towards the receiver, the imperative of giving to all those who come without ever enquiring into their antecedents, and the great sin that results from eating one's fill without first having fed others who may be waiting at the door. And Srikrsna goes on to teach about the central place that anna occupies in the Indian understanding of the plan of the universe. These precepts appear again and again in the Indian classical literature in different forms and different contexts.
 

Latest revision as of 16:18, 31 May 2019

Annadanam or Dana of food (Samskrit : अन्नदानम्) is one of the greatest danas practiced since ancient days. The practice of offering or serving food to any being, be it an uninvited person or animals or birds is referred to with great reverence. The term "anna" or "annam" chiefly implies "ahara" or food referring to "what is eaten is anna" as per Chandogya Upanishad. "Atithidevo bhava" The term atithi applies to anyone who appears at the door unexpected and uninvited and he is treated as a devata; this teaching of the Taittriya Upanishad has been a sanatana siddhanta, accepted and adhered to at all times in this holy land of Bharatavarsha.[1]

अन्नमहात्म्यम् || Anna Mahatmya

The greatness of anna is proclaimed in several ways, since the Rig vedic times[1]

  • Rig Veda describes the greatness of Anna (food) as supreme and extols Annadata in Sukta 117 of Mandala 10, a few mantras as follows

    स इद्भोजो यो गृहवे ददात्यन्नकामाय चरते कृशाय । अरमस्मै भवति यामहूता उतापरीषु कृणुते सखायम् ॥३॥ (Rig. Veda. 10.117.3)[2]

    sa idbhojo yo gr̥have dadātyannakāmāya carate kr̥śāya । aramasmai bhavati yāmahūtā utāparīṣu kr̥ṇute sakhāyam ॥3॥

    Meaning : one who gives charity of food to the weak and emaciated, he is the Daata and he not only attains the complete benefits of conducting yajna, but enemies also befriend him for one who gives charity is a friend of every one.[3]
  • अन्नं न निन्द्यात् । do not look down upon anna : Taittriya Upanishad (Bhruguvalli Anuvaka 7) [4]
  • अन्नं न परिचक्षीत । do not neglect anna : Tattriya Upanishad (Anuvaka 8)
  • अन्नं बहु कुर्वीत । तद्व्रतम् । endeavour to secure an abundance of anna, it is a sacred observance : Tattriya Upanishad (Bhruguvalli Anuvaka 9)
  • आहारशुद्धौ सतवशुद्धिः सत्त्वशुद्धौ ध्रुवा स्मृतिः। purity of food leads to purity of internal organs. From purification of internal organs comes unfailing memory : Chandogya Upanishad (7.26.2)[5]
  • अन्नमयँहि सोम्य मन आपोमयः प्राणस्तेजोमयी वागिति... । The mind is essentially formed of food, the prana is essentially formed of water and speech is essentially formed of fire. Chandogya Upanishad (6.5.4)[6]
  • अन्नं ब्रह्म यतः प्रोक्तमन्ने प्राणाः प्रतिष्ठिताः। Annam brahma, because upon the said anna rests the prana or life : Matsya Purana (83.42) [7]
  • अन्नं ह्यमृतमित्याहुरन्नं प्रजननं स्मृतम्। अन्नप्रणाशे सीदन्ति शरीरे पञ्च धातवः॥ Food is indeed the preserver of life and food is the source of procreation. When there is no food, the five elements constituting the body cease to be. Mahabharata (14.108.38)[1]

The following four verses in continuation with the above sloka from Mahabharata, Asvamedhika parva, define the pre-eminence of food in the creation and sustenance of all life.

बलं बलवतो नश्येदन्नहीनस्य देहिनः। तस्मादन्नं विशेषेण श्रद्धयाश्रद्धयापि वा॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.39)

आदत्ते हि रसं सर्वमादित्यः स्वगभस्तिभिः। वायुस्तस्मात्समादाय रसं मेघेषु धारयेत्॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.40)

तत्तु मेघगतं भूमौ शक्रो वर्षति तादृशम्। तेन दिग्धा भवेद्देवी मही प्रीता च भारत॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.41)

तस्यां सस्यानि रोहन्ति यैर्जीवन्त्यखिलाः प्रजाः। मांसमेदोऽस्थिमज्जानां सम्भवस्तेभ्य एव हि॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.42)

balaṁ balavato naśyedannahīnasya dehinaḥ। tasmādannaṁ viśeṣeṇa śraddhayāśraddhayāpi vā॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.39)

ādatte hi rasaṁ sarvamādityaḥ svagabhastibhiḥ। vāyustasmātsamādāya rasaṁ megheṣu dhārayet॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.40)

tattu meghagataṁ bhūmau śakro varṣati tādr̥śam। tena digdhā bhaveddevī mahī prītā ca bhārata॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.41)

tasyāṁ sasyāni rohanti yairjīvantyakhilāḥ prajāḥ। māṁsamedo'sthimajjānāṁ sambhavastebhya eva hi॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.42)

Summary : Without food even a strong man loses all his strength. Therefore, food, whether taken in reverence or otherwise, has a special place in life. Aditya or Surya, through his rays, draws out the vital essences, and Vayu gathers these and places them in the clouds. The vital essences thus collected in the clouds are showered back on the earth by Indra. Suffused with the showers, the Bhudevi, O Bharata! is verily in contentment. Out of the contented earth grow the food-crops, which sustain all life. Flesh, fat, bone, and marrow are formed of these alone.

Thus in these five verses Srikrishna summarizes all that needs to be said about the importance of food. These precepts appear again and again in the Bharat's literature in different forms and different contexts.[1]

अन्नस्य जलोद्भवम्॥ Anna Originates from Jala

Mahabharata, in Anushasana Parva lays down the importance of Jala or water giving rise to anna and the different forms that constitute anna for different beings.

नीरजातश्च भगवान्सोमो ग्रहगणेश्वरः। अमृतं च सुधा चैव स्वाहा चैव स्वधा तथा॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.67.12)

अन्नौषध्यो महाराज वीरुधश्च जलोद्भवाः। यतः प्राणभृतां प्राणाः सम्भवन्ति विशाम्पते॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.67.13)

देवानाममृतं ह्यन्नं नागानां च सुधा तथा। पितॄणां च स्वधा प्रोक्ता पशूनां चापि वीरुधः॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.67.14)

nīrajātaśca bhagavānsomo grahagaṇeśvaraḥ। amr̥taṁ ca sudhā caiva svāhā caiva svadhā tathā॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.67.12)

annauṣadhyo mahārāja vīrudhaśca jalodbhavāḥ। yataḥ prāṇabhr̥tāṁ prāṇāḥ sambhavanti viśāmpate॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.67.13)

devānāmamr̥taṁ hyannaṁ nāgānāṁ ca sudhā tathā। pitr̥̄ṇāṁ ca svadhā proktā paśūnāṁ cāpi vīrudhaḥ॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.67.14)

Soma, the devata for grahas, celestial bodies, is born of water and so are Amrta, Sudha, Svaha, Svadha. Oh Maharaja ! so are anna (food grains), oshadhis (medicinal plants), and virudhas (grasses). All living beings are born of and live on these various annas that are born of water. Of these, amrta is said to be the anna of devatas, sudha of the nagas, svadha of the pitrus, and virudhas of the animals.[1]

That anna arises from rains and water is also given in Shrimad Bhagavadgita (3.14)

अन्नात्पुरुषः॥ Purusha Originates from Anna

In Taittriya Upanishad, the teaching of brahmavidya, starts with an exposition of how Brahman creates and manifests himself in the Universe.

तस्माद्वा एतस्मादात्मन आकाशः संभूतः । आकाशाद्वायुः । वायोरग्निः । अग्नेरापः । अद्भ्यः पृथिवी । पृथिव्या ओषधयः । ओषधीभ्योऽन्नम् । अन्नात्पुरुषः । (Tait. Upan. Brah. 2.1)[8]

tasmādvā etasmādātmana ākāśaḥ saṁbhūtaḥ । ākāśādvāyuḥ । vāyoragniḥ । agnerāpaḥ । adbhyaḥ pr̥thivī । pr̥thivyā oṣadhayaḥ । oṣadhībhyo'nnam । annātpuruṣaḥ । (Tait. Upan. Brah. 2.1)

From that Brahman, who is also this atma, the individual self of the seeker, was born akasa, the elementary space. From akasa was born vayu, the elementary winds. From vayu was born agni, the elementary fire. From agni were born apah, the elementary waters. From apah were born osadhls, the elementary vegetation. From osadhis was born anna, the elementary food. And from anna was born purusa, the man.[1]

Annamaya Purusha

The purusa here stands for the man — for the individuated self — according to Sri Sankara. To emphasize the annamayatva, the attribute of being born from anna, of the purusa the seer says:

स वा एष पुरुषोऽन्नरसमयः । तस्येदमेव शिरः । अयं दक्षिणः पक्षः । अयमुत्तरः पक्षः । अयमात्मा । इदं पुच्छं प्रतिष्ठा । तदप्येष श्लोको भवति ॥ (Tait. Upan. Brah. 2.1)[8]

sa vā eṣa puruṣo'nnarasamayaḥ । tasyedameva śiraḥ । ayaṁ dakṣiṇaḥ pakṣaḥ । ayamuttaraḥ pakṣaḥ । ayamātmā । idaṁ pucchaṁ pratiṣṭhā । tadapyeṣa śloko bhavati ॥ (Tait. Upan. Brah. 2.1)

That, this purusa, is indeed formed of anna and rasa, food and the vital essences derived from food. Of him, the purusa, indeed is this head; of him is this right side; this left side; of him is this middle torso; and of him is this lower torso. It is about him that the following sloka is said.

Taittriya Upanishad reveals the annamaya-, pranamaya-, manomaya-, vijnanamaya- and anandamayapurusa, sequentially, in the manner of removing layers of husk to reveal the grain of rice, as Sri Sankara puts it. But in the beginning, and providing form to all those others, is the annamayapurusa.[1]

अन्नदेवता ॥ Annadevata

In the Taittriya Brahmana of the Krishna yajurveda we hear annadevata, the devata residing in food, himself speaking about the importance of food and of the inviolability of the discipline of giving before eating, in words that are often reminiscent of the teachings of Bhiksu Angirasa. The eighth anuvaka of the eighth prapathaka of the second astaka of the brahmana quotes the annadevata proclaiming thus:

अहमस्मि प्रथमजा ऋतस्य । पूर्वं देवेभ्यो अमृतस्य नाभिः । यो मा ददाति स इदेव माऽऽवाः । अहमन्नमन्नमदन्तमद्मि । (Tait. Brah. 2.8.8)[9]

ahamasmi prathamajā r̥tasya । pūrvaṁ devebhyo amr̥tasya nābhiḥ । yo mā dadāti sa ideva mā''vāḥ । ahamannamannamadantamadmi । (Tait. Brah. 2.8.8)

I, the annadevata, am the first progenitor of yajna: the first yajna born of me. It is I who, at the earliest times, become the nucleus of amrta for the devas. The one who gives me is in fact the one who obtains me. On the other hand, the one who does not give is consumed by me. I am the annadevata, I eat the one who does not give anna.

अन्नं प्राणमन्नमपानमाहुः । अन्नं मृत्युं तमु जीवातुमाहुः । अन्नं ब्रह्माणो जरसं वदन्ति । अन्नमाहुः प्रजननं प्रजानाम् । (Tait. Brah. 2.8.8)

annaṁ prāṇamannamapānamāhuḥ । annaṁ mr̥tyuṁ tamu jīvātumāhuḥ । annaṁ brahmāṇo jarasaṁ vadanti । annamāhuḥ prajananaṁ prajānām । (Tait. Brah. 2.8.8)

Anna is said to be both prana and apana, the two forms of the breath of life that permeate the body. Anna is the giver of life, and also the extinguisher of it. It is said that anna is the cause of aging. Anna is said to be the progenitor of all progeny.[1]

अनन्नदानं गृहस्थधर्मः ॥ Annadana is Grhasthadharma

There arises many an occasion in Bharat's traditional literature to celebrate the centrality of the grhastha ashrama amongst the four ashramas, the four stages of life that a person is expected to follow sequentially in a lifetime.

गृहस्थधर्मः ॥ Grhasthadharma

One of the most attractive statements of this centrality occurs in the anusasanaparvan of Mahabharata, where Bhishma narrates how in earlier times Srikrishna undertakes great austerities on the Himalayas, and upon his urging, Narada begins to recall a long discussion, on different aspects of dharma reflected as Uma Shankara Samvada (उमाशङ्करयोः संवादः) while they are living the life of a happy man and wife on the Himalayas, which in the presence of the divine couple joyously blossom with natural splendour and beauty.

To answer the question as to who should perform annadana, the texts have laid down many principles to grhasthas regarding the offering to food to devatas, men and other bhutas (animals, birds, insects). Though annadana has to be performed by everyone based on their capacity, it is the responsibility of the grhastha to provide for the sustenance of the daily routine of life around him, which is celebrated in the Bharat's classical texts as the Panchamahayajna.

Panchamahayajna is such an important observance for the Bharat'ss that references to it are found in all Bharat's literature: in the timeless vedas, the ancient itihasas and puranas, and in the smrtis and dharmasastras of all ages.[1]

वैश्वदेवम् ॥ Vaisvadeva

Grhyasutras lay down the principles that householders should offer cooked food to deities (Vaisvedeva) in grhya fires or ordinary fire. For example, Agni, Dhanvantri, Visvedevas, Prajapati and Svistakrt (Agni) are the deities according to Gautama sutras. According to Manu (3.84 to 86) the deities are Agni, Soma, Agnisoma, the Visvedevas, Dhanvantri, Kuhu, Anumati, Prajapati, Dyavaprthvi and Svistakrt (Agni). There are various versions of the rituals to be followed as given in different sutras.[10]

बलिहरणम् ॥ Baliharana or Bhutayajna

In Bhutayajna, bali is to be offered not into fire but on the ground, which is wiped and cooked food is placed on it. These directions to give food even to outcasts, dogs and birds were the outcome of the noble sentiment of universal kindliness and charity, the idea that One Spirit pervades and illumines the even the meanest of creatures and binds all together. Shankhayana Grhyasutras (2.14) winds up its vaisvadeva section with this fine exhortation :[10]

भोजयेच्छ्वभ्यः श्वपचेभ्यश्च वयोभ्यश्चावपेद्भूमाविति नानवत्तमश्नीयान्नैको न पूर्वं । तदप्येतदृचोक्तं मोघमन्नं विन्दते अप्रचेता इति २६ (2.14.25 -26)[11]

bhojayecchvabhyaḥ śvapacebhyaśca vayobhyaścāvapedbhūmāviti nānavattamaśnīyānnaiko na pūrvaṁ । tadapyetadr̥coktaṁ moghamannaṁ vindate apracetā iti 26 (2.14.25 -26)

Let him throw food to dogs, to svapachas (eaters of dog-flesh), to birds on the ground; let him eat nothing without having cut off a portion (to be offered as a bali); let him not eat alone, nor before others (relatives and guests) since the Rig Veda mantra says "the fool gets food in vain"

मोघमन्नं विन्दते अप्रचेताः सत्यं ब्रवीमि वध इत्स तस्य । नार्यमणं पुष्यति नो सखायं केवलाघो भवति केवलादी ॥६॥ (Rig Veda. 10.117.6)[2]

moghamannaṁ vindate apracetāḥ satyaṁ bravīmi vadha itsa tasya । nāryamaṇaṁ puṣyati no sakhāyaṁ kevalāgho bhavati kevalādī ॥6॥

The same idea is reverberated in Shrimad Bhagavadgita (3.13), Manusmriti (3.118) and Vishnu Dharmasutras (67.43).[10]

मनुष्ययज्ञः ॥ Manushyayajna (Atithi and Abhyagata)

In the Mahabharata, Srikrishna, while advising Yudhisthira on the discipline of annadana, emphasizes this fundamental distinction between a guest who is already acquainted and the one who comes unknown and uninvited. The former, Srikrishna says, is called abhyagata (अभ्यागतः), the latter alone is an atithi (अतिथिः)

अभ्यागतो ज्ञातपूर्वो ह्यज्ञातोऽतिथिरुच्यते। (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.101.57)

abhyāgato jñātapūrvo hyajñāto'tithirucyate।

A grhastha, of course, must offer reverential hospitality to both the abhyagata and the atithi. But it is the feeding of the atithi that forms an essential component of manusyayajna or Nru Yajna. The abhyagata is like a member of the household and, as Manu would explain later, he eats after the atithis, along with the family of the host. The coming of an unknown, uninvited and unexpected atithi in the evening, Manu says, is like a fortune fetched to the householder's door by the setting sun himself. Such an atithi should be cared for with the greatest reverence. As Manusmrti puts it:

अप्रणोद्योऽतिथिः सायं सूर्योढो गृहमेधिना । काले प्राप्तस्त्वकाले वा नास्यानश्नन्गृहे वसेत् । । ३.१०५ (Manu. Smri. 3.105)

apraṇodyo'tithiḥ sāyaṁ sūryoḍho gr̥hamedhinā । kāle prāptastvakāle vā nāsyānaśnangr̥he vaset । । 3.105

A guest who comes in the evening is brought to the householder's house by the sun himself. He should never be turned away. And, he should never be made to stay hungry in the house, whether he comes at the proper or the improper time.

Visnupurana says that the papa (पापम्) of turning away a guest arriving after sunset is eight times worse than that earned by turning away a guest during the day.[1]

राजधर्मः ॥ Rajadharma

The king is a great grhastha, who is charged with extraordinary grhastha responsibilities. Like a grhastha he has the responsibility to provide for the sustenance of all beings, especially the humans, who happen to be in his care. But, unlike an ordinary grhastha, he also has the responsibility to provide sustenance to those who, though not his direct dependents, happen to lack sustenance in society. The whole of the land is, in a way, part of his grhastha responsibility.

Apastamba dharmasutra (Patala 9), in fact, begins its discussion on rajadharma with what reads like a prescription for the installation of the king as a great grhastha.

सर्वेष्वेवाजस्रा अग्नयः स्युः ६ अग्निपूजा च नित्या यथा गृहमेधे ७ आवसथे श्रोत्रियावरार्ध्यानतिथीन्वासयेत् ८ तेषां यथागुणमावसथाः शय्यान्नपानं च विदेयम् ९ (Apas. Dhar. 9.25.6 - 9)[12]

sarveṣvevājasrā agnayaḥ syuḥ 6 agnipūjā ca nityā yathā gr̥hamedhe 7 āvasathe śrotriyāvarārdhyānatithīnvāsayet 8 teṣāṁ yathāguṇamāvasathāḥ śayyānnapānaṁ ca videyam 9

Let the agni, the household-fire, burn unceasingly at all places: the vesma, the avasatha and the sabha. To all the three agnis, offer reverential worship everyday, in the manner prescribed for a grhastha. In the avasatha offer hospitality to all atithis, all those who come, beginning with the srotriyas, the ones who are well read in the vedas. To them, the atithis in the avasatha, offer proper room, bed and food, and let the offerings be appropriate to the accomplishments of each.[1] The king being essentially a great grhastha, he shares as it were in the papa of all grhasthas who eat without having first fed the hungry. Thus says Bhishma, to Yudhisthira in the Shantiparva or राजधर्मानुशासनपर्व

अभृतानां भवेद्भर्ता भृतानामन्ववेक्षकः। (Maha. Shan. 12.57.19)

abhr̥tānāṁ bhavedbhartā bhr̥tānāmanvavekṣakaḥ।

Be the provider of the unprovided. And carefully look after those who happen to be in your care.[1] The Mahabharata, Vanaparva documents when Yudhisthira is seen feeling sorry about the loss of his kingdom. And the loss he laments is not of the power and prestige of kingship, but of the resources necessary for looking after others. He shares his grief with Rishi Saunaka that bound by the discipline of grhastha ashrama, he should fail to provide for even his followers. Then he goes on to define the duties of the king as a grhastha:

संविभागो हि भूतानां सर्वेषामेव दृश्यते। तथैवापचमानेभ्यः प्रदेयं गृहमेधिना॥ (Maha. Vana. 3.2.52)

saṁvibhāgo hi bhūtānāṁ sarveṣāmeva dr̥śyate। tathaivāpacamānebhyaḥ pradeyaṁ gr̥hamedhinā॥

There is a share of all bhutas, all beings, in everything. It is seen everywhere. Therefore, a grhastha must give a proper share of food to all those who do not cook for themselves. To the sick a bed to lie down, to the tired a place to sit, to the thirsty water to drink, and to the hungry a proper meal, must always be given. Yudhisthira's insistence on acquiring the means to provide proper share of food and sustenance to his followers is so intense that there seems no way he would leave it unfulfilled. He keeps worrying about the problem, and finally his kulapurohita, the family priest, Dhaumya, advises him to seek the blessings of the sun who, by virtue of his action of gathering and then raining water over the earth, happens to be the creator of all anna, all food:

Yudhisthira accepts Dhaumya's advice and propitiates the sun, who then offers him an aksayapatra, a pot that will provide him unending quantities of food for twelve years. The pot, blessed by the sun, would fill everyday and would exhaust for the day only after DraupadI and Yudhisthira, having fed all their guests and dependents, partake of the food themselves.

It is only after obtaining the aksayapatra, and thus the ability to look after those who are under his care and those who come seeking his hospitality, that Yudhisthira settles down to the life of an exile.

अनन्नदानस्य फलम् ॥ Consequence of Anannadana

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. While many texts extol the greatness of annadana, the consequences of consciously not doing so (anannadana) is explicitly described in many texts such as Bhavishyapurana, Varaha Purana, and in later day texts such as Chaturvarga Chintamani of Hemadri.

The Bhavishyapurana recounts the conversation between Srikrishna and Yudhisthira at the culmination of Asvamedha yajna after the war, in Mahabharata.

ददस्वान्नं ददस्वान्नं ददस्वान्नं युधिष्ठिर ।। (Bhav. Pura. 4.169.2)

dadasvānnaṁ dadasvānnaṁ dadasvānnaṁ yudhiṣṭhira ।।

"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, had to live in want. And he concludes that it must be because of their not having sufficiently given of food earlier (anannadana). Srirama says

यन्न प्राप्यं तदप्राप्यं विद्यया पौरुषेण वा । सत्यो लोकप्रवादोऽयं नादत्तमुपतिष्ठति ॥ (Bhav. Pura. 4.169.6)

yanna prāpyaṁ tadaprāpyaṁ vidyayā pauruṣeṇa vā । satyo lokapravādo'yaṁ nādattamupatiṣṭhati ॥

Meaning : What we have not earned, we shall not get, neither by knowledge, nor by education. It is truly said that what is not given, cannot be enjoyed.

Recalling the Anannadana experience of Srirama, Srikrishna begins to tell the consequences of Anannadana by Raja Shveta, the raja 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. Raja Shveta 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.[1]

अन्नदानं सदाव्रतम् ॥ Annadana is Sadavrata

The story of Raja Shveta also appears in the Varahapurana, where it is told by Sri Varaha to Dharani or Bhudevi, when she asks to be instructed about the vrata or sacred observance for earthly men. Sri Varaha says that long ago a similar request was made by Raja Shveta to Vashistha maharshi, to which the reply was

अन्नं देहि सदा राजन् सर्वकालसुखावहम् ।। अन्नेन चैव दत्तेन किं न दत्तं महीतले ।।६०।। (Vara. Pura. 99.60)

सर्वेषामेव दानानामन्नदानं विशिष्यते ।। अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि अन्नेनैव च वर्द्धते ।।६१।। (Vara. Pura. 99.61)[13]

annaṁ dehi sadā rājan sarvakālasukhāvaham ।। annena caiva dattena kiṁ na dattaṁ mahītale ।।60।। (Vara. Pura. 99.60)

sarveṣāmeva dānānāmannadānaṁ viśiṣyate ।। annādbhavanti bhūtāni annenaiva ca varddhate ।।61।। (Vara. Pura. 99.61)

O King ! give food. Giving good ensures well-being at all times. One who gives food gives all that is worth giving on the surface of the earth. Having given food, nothing remains un-given.[1]

However, Raja Shveta , unimpressed by Vashistha maharshi's advice, thought that food was too insignificant an object to be worthy of giving from the hands of a great king like him. The rest of the story follows as given in Raja Shveta and Anannnadana.

Hemadri in Chaturvarga Chintamani, Vratakanda, also describes the importance of Annadana and recounts the story of Raja Shveta . While attributing his section on annadanamahatmya to the Bhavisyapurana, Hemadri adds that annadana is sadavrata (सदाव्रतम्).

Literally, sadavrata implies a vrata, a sacred observance, that is performed at all times. And from the context in which Hemadri uses this term, it obviously implies that while the various fasts and observances described in the rest of the vratakhanda are all undertaken at particular times — at particular seasons, particular days and particular conjunctions of the celestial objects — the vrata of annadana is not subject to the considerations of time. It is to be undertaken always, at all times. Annadana is sadavrata, while all others are naimittikavratas, vratas of specified times and occasions.

Sadavrata, incidentally, is the name that Bharat'ss across the country prefer to use for annadana even today.[1]

अन्नबाहुल्यम् ॥ Sharing Food

The story of Raja Shveta , depicts the the terrible papa of eating with one's doors shut upon others; of having one's fill, while men, animals and birds around remain un-fed; and of enjoying a meal while young children watch with hungry eyes. The great and righteous Raja Shveta sitting all alone on the banks of a beauteous lake in the midst of a rich forest full of delicious roots and fruit, and eating the flesh of his own corporeal body, represents the culmination of such eating without sharing.

The fate that befalls Sveta is thus the fruit of his conduct. This attitude is enshrined in the most basic of Bharat's texts. Thus, the Taittriyopanishad advises in its resounding verses:

न कञ्चन वसतौ प्रत्याचक्षीत । तद्व्रतम् । तस्माद्यया कया च विधया बह्वन्नं प्राप्नुयात् । अराध्यस्मा अन्नमित्याचक्षते । ... । एदद्वा अन्ततोऽन्नँराद्धम् । अन्ततोऽस्मा अन्नँराध्यते ॥ १ ॥(Tait. Upan. Bhru. 10.1) [4]

na kañcana vasatau pratyācakṣīta । tadvratam । tasmādyayā kayā ca vidhayā bahvannaṁ prāpnuyāt । arādhyasmā annamityācakṣate । ... । edadvā antato'nnam̐rāddham । antato'smā annam̐rādhyate ॥ 1 ॥

Do not send away anyone who comes to your door, without offering him food and hospitality. That is the inviolable discipline of mankind; and the one, who prepares and gives food in a small measure with low care and veneration, obtains food in the same small measure and with similar abjectness.

Therefore, have a great abundance of food, and exert all your efforts towards ensuring such abundance; and announce to the world that this abundance of food is ready, to be partaken of by all.[1]

अन्नदानमाहात्म्यम् || Annadana Mahatmya

The role of anna and annadana is greatly acclaimed in achieving the Purushardharas (Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha) and this aspect is highlighted in various texts. The greatness of Anna and Annadana are stressed upon in Vanaparva, Anushasana parva and Asvamedhika parva of Mahabharata.

In the Mahabharata, Bhishma describing the greatness of annadana and jaladana to Yudhisthira, says

न तस्मात्परमं दानं किञ्चिदस्तीति मे मनः। अन्नात्प्राणभृतस्तात प्रवर्धन्ते हि सर्वशः॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.67.5)

तस्मादन्नं परं लोके सर्वलोकेषु कथ्यते। अन्नाद्बलं च तेजश्च प्राणिनां वर्धते सदा॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.67.6)

na tasmātparamaṁ dānaṁ kiñcidastīti me manaḥ। annātprāṇabhr̥tastāta pravardhante hi sarvaśaḥ॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.67.5)

tasmādannaṁ paraṁ loke sarvalokeṣu kathyate। annādbalaṁ ca tejaśca prāṇināṁ vardhate sadā॥ (Maha. Anush. 13.67.6)

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. Teaching the greatness of annadana to Yudhisthira, SriKrishna says:

अन्नेन धार्यते सर्वं जगदेतच्चराचरम्। अन्नात्प्रभवति प्राणः प्रत्यक्षं नास्ति संशयः॥ (Maha. Asva. Parv. 14.108.28)

annena dhāryate sarvaṁ jagadetaccarācaram। annātprabhavati prāṇaḥ pratyakṣaṁ nāsti saṁśayaḥ॥

The world, both animate and inanimate, is sustained by food. Life arises from food: this is observed all around, and there can be no doubt about it. Therefore, one who wishes to attain well-being in this world and beyond should offer food to all who seek. One should give food in accordance with time and place, and should keep giving to the limits of one's capacity, even if it were to cause inconvenience to one's own family. Finding an old person, a child, a tired traveler or a venerable one at the door, a householder should offer him worshipful hospitality, with gladness in his heart, as he would to his own teacher. Desirous of well-being beyond this world, the householder should purge himself of all anger, all jealousy, and offer worshipful hospitality, with grace and courtesy, to the one who appears at the door. Never offer slight to a person appearing at your door, never let a falsehood escape from your lips in his presence, and never ever ask him about his lineage or learning. The one who appears at the door at the proper time, even if he were an outcaste or such a one as partakes of the flesh of dog, deserves to be worshipped with the offering of food by him who seeks well-being beyond this world.

O Yudhisthira! the one who shuts his door on all comers and indulges in the enjoyment of food for himself alone is certainly ensuring that the doors of heaven shall be shut upon him. And his virtue is indeed great who propitiates with food the ancestors, the gods, the sages, the venerable ones, the destitute and all those who appear at his door. The one who gives food to those who seek, and especially to the brahmana seekers, is rid of all papas, even if his papas were immense. The giver of food is the giver of life, and indeed of everything else. Therefore, one who is desirous of well-being in this world and beyond should specially endeavour to give food.[1]

Mahabharata extols, in Asvamedhika Parva

यस्मादन्नात्प्रवर्तन्ते धर्मार्थौ काम एव च। तस्मादन्नात्परं दानं नामुत्रेह च पाण्डव॥ (Maha. Asva. 14.101.28)

yasmādannātpravartante dharmārthau kāma eva ca। tasmādannātparaṁ dānaṁ nāmutreha ca pāṇḍava॥

O Pandunandana ! The conduct of Dharma, Artha and Kama are by Anna, hence there is nothing greater than anna neither on earth nor in the other worlds.[14]

Legends about Annadana

While texts abound with sacrifice and dana of great kings such as Shibi Chakravarti (who gave away his own flesh to save a dove) and Rantideva (who showed exceptional hospitality), there are legends about the greatness of Annadana given in Mahabharata.

नकुलाख्यानम् ॥ Nakulakhyana

Mahabharata contains a beautiful story called Nakulakhyana , where Yudhishthira learns how all his dana of gold and lands, may not be worth that of a fistful of sattu (सत्तू । dish made of barley), given by a starving Brahmin family to an unexpected guest.

At the end of Yudhisthira's asvamedhayajna — the great yajna during which mountains of grains and rivers of ghee were consumed, and kings and people from all over the world were served for days and months together — a mongoose gets up and adopting a human voice says:

"O kings of the earth, this great yajna of yours has not yet equaled the one single measure of roasted grain given away by a generous resident of Kuruksetra, who himself used to live off the left-over grains painstakingly collected from harvested fields and marketplaces."

And on being asked the reason for this unbelievable assertion, the mongoose begins to tell the story of Annadana by Unchavrtti Brahmana (उञ्छवृत्तिब्राह्मणः) austere, but generous, brahmana of Kuruksetra. (Maha. Asva. 90.7)

कपोतदम्पती कथा ॥ Story of Kapotadampati

The Mahabharata records another touching story of a host giving up his all, in fact his very life, to satisfy the hunger of the even an unworthy cruel guest. The host in this other story is a bird, a pigeon, and the guest a hunter who has earlier encaged the bird-wife of the pigeon. The story is in a way a premonition of the story that the mongoose tells towards the end of Yudhisthira's asvamedhayajna: the story of the brahmana who gathers his food grain by grain, like a pigeon, and gives up what he has gathered for the sake of a guest, putting his own life and the life of his entire family in jeopardy.

Bhishma tells Yudhisthira, the heart rendering story of Atithi Satkara by Kapotadampati (कपोतदम्पती) where a couple of self-sacrificing pigeons offer hospitality to a hunter, in the apaddharma-parva of shantiparva. Bhishma says that in earlier times it was told to Mucukunda by Parasurama, when the former had sought to know the dharma of looking after one who comes to the abode seeking protection.

Such is the foundation of the Bharitya Sanatana Dharma. This is the difference between western culture and our eternal Sanatana culture.  The reason for poverty and hunger caused by scarcity can be traced to neglecting our civilizational principles. Culture cannot sustain on a hungry stomach. Basic necessities of life and wisdom that shape our life in family life and those who are instrumental in building and sustaining our family, like women, food, and beauty should never be on sale. Anna, Veda and beauty when commodified have dangerous consequences that destroy life and wellbeing. The principles enshrined in our shastras clearly reveal the degradation of ‘modern’ lifestyles due to the disconnect with our traditional systems and  kind of life.

Annavitarana Vs Annavikrayana

In traditional India anna was served to all through charitable centres patronised by kings. The most important duty of the king was to protect the citizens; not just by power but also by taking care of their needs. And for the satisfaction of the citizens, annadana was the greatest charity. To fulfill this duty, many occasions would present themselves where the yajnas would be conducted. The Mahabharata describes the Janmajeya’s Sarpayagya and its famous Saunaka Anna Satra.  Annavitarana (distribution of food) became an intrinsic part of our cultural values and several cultural festivities were woven into it. It also provided opportunities for elevation of one’s soul.

In the final analysis, a clear distinction needs to be made between Annadana enveloped with daivabhava and Anna that is sold only for making profit (Annavikrayana). Arising from fear of not having control, politicians create artificial famines as people who do not have Anna will be meek and focused on gathering food that they can easily be fooled by these leaders. While this was seen in several parts of the world, its shadow seems to be falling  on Bharatavarsha also.

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Bajaj, Jitendra and Mandayam, Srinivas. (1996) Annam Bahu Kurvita. Madras: Centre for Policy Studies Madras
  2. 2.0 2.1 Rig Veda (Mandala 10 Sukta 117)
  3. Trivedi, Rama Govind. (1954) Hindi Rigveda. Prayag : The Bharat's Press Ltd.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Taittriya Upanishad (Bhruguvalli)
  5. Swami Gambhirananda (1983) Chandogya Upanisad With The Commentary of Sri. Sankaracarya (English Translation). Calcutta : Advaita Ashrama
  6. Swami Gambhirananda (1983) Chandogya Upanisad With The Commentary of Sri. Sankaracarya (English Translation). Calcutta : Advaita Ashrama
  7. Matsya Purana (Adhyaya 83)
  8. 8.0 8.1 Taittriya Upanishad (Brahmanandavalli Anuvaka 1)
  9. Taittriya Brahmana (Kanda 2 Prapathaka 8)
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Kane, Pandurang. Vaman. (1941) History of Dharmasastra, Volume Two, Part 2. Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute
  11. Shankhayana Grhyasutras
  12. Apastamba Dharmasutras
  13. Varaha Purana (Adhyaya 99)
  14. Shastri, Ramnarayanadatta Pandey. Mahabharata Volume 6 (With Hindi Translation) Gorakhpur : Gita Press