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Line 224: − − == Dana and the Right Disposition == − In the Taittiriya Upanisad, the Guru imparts the student to be charitable. It mentions various conditions of charity<ref>Taittiriya Upanisad, 1:11:2 and 1:11:3</ref>: − − ये के चास्मच्छ्रेयाँसो ब्राह्मणाः तेषां त्वयाऽऽसनेन प्रश्वसितव्यम् । − − श्रद्धया देयम् । अश्रद्धयाऽदेयम् । श्रिया देयम् । ह्रिया देयम् । − − भिया देयम् । संविदा देयम् । − − अथ यदि ते कर्मविचिकित्सा वा वृत्तविचिकित्सा वा स्यात् ॥ ३ ॥ − # Give with respect/honour (Sraddhay deyam) − # Don’t give with disrespect/dishonour − # Give according to one’s prosperity/capacity − # Give with modesty − # Give with awe and respect − # Give with fellow-feeling and friendly attitude − In the Mahabharata, story of King Shibi is narrated wherein the King explained that he does not give daan for prestige or gain. He gives daan only because it is the righteous path of dharm, on which the best have always walked.<ref>Mahabharat, Van Parv, Markandeya Samaasya Parv. Ch. 198 (Ved Vyas, 2001, pp. 1518-21)</ref>
→Origin of Practice of Dana
The practice of 'giving', as we see dates back to the days of Rigveda. Gifts of various kinds and donors have been highly eulogised in the Rigveda. There are 'danastutis' in many Rigveda mantras.Example : In suktas 1.125 and 1.126 the gifts made by king Svanaya to Kakshivat are praised and dana in general is eulogised.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>नाकस्य पृष्ठे अधि तिष्ठति श्रितो यः पृणाति स ह देवेषु गच्छति । तस्मा आपो घृतमर्षन्ति सिन्धवस्तस्मा इयं दक्षिणा पिन्वते सदा ॥५॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.125.5)<ref>Rigveda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhitas-mandal-01-sukta-125/ Mandala 1 Sukta 125])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>nākasya pṛṣṭhe adhi tiṣṭhati śrito yaḥ pṛṇāti sa ha deveṣu gacchati । tasmā āpo ghṛtamarṣanti sindhavastasmā iyaṃ dakṣiṇā pinvate sadā ॥5॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.125.5)</blockquote>Meaning: He who supports those who are dependent on him by liberally giving them money (wealth) and food enjoys all heavenly happiness. He attains the heavenly worlds and becomes one among the devatas. The streams of water flow widely to provide him the life sustaining water and the earth provides him with abundance of food etc.<ref>Pt. Ramgovind Trivedi. (1954) ''Hindi Rigveda''. Prayaga:Indian Press Ltd</ref>
The practice of 'giving', as we see dates back to the days of Rigveda. Gifts of various kinds and donors have been highly eulogised in the Rigveda. There are 'danastutis' in many Rigveda mantras.Example : In suktas 1.125 and 1.126 the gifts made by king Svanaya to Kakshivat are praised and dana in general is eulogised.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>नाकस्य पृष्ठे अधि तिष्ठति श्रितो यः पृणाति स ह देवेषु गच्छति । तस्मा आपो घृतमर्षन्ति सिन्धवस्तस्मा इयं दक्षिणा पिन्वते सदा ॥५॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.125.5)<ref>Rigveda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhitas-mandal-01-sukta-125/ Mandala 1 Sukta 125])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>nākasya pṛṣṭhe adhi tiṣṭhati śrito yaḥ pṛṇāti sa ha deveṣu gacchati । tasmā āpo ghṛtamarṣanti sindhavastasmā iyaṃ dakṣiṇā pinvate sadā ॥5॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.125.5)</blockquote>Meaning: He who supports those who are dependent on him by liberally giving them money (wealth) and food enjoys all heavenly happiness. He attains the heavenly worlds and becomes one among the devatas. The streams of water flow widely to provide him the life sustaining water and the earth provides him with abundance of food etc.<ref>Pt. Ramgovind Trivedi. (1954) ''Hindi Rigveda''. Prayaga:Indian Press Ltd</ref>
The subject of dana is of utmost importance in the present yuga as mentioned by Manu while propounding the kaliyuga dharmas in Manusmriti. Manu and others (Parashara Smriti) state that in the four yugas namely Krita (कृत), Treta (त्रेता), Dvapara (द्वापर) and Kali (कलि), the principal aspects of religious life were respectively Tapas (तपः), metaphysical knowledge (ज्ञानं ), sacrifices (यज्ञं) and danam (दानम्) <blockquote>तपः परं कृतयुगे त्रेतायां ज्ञानं उच्यते । द्वापरे यज्ञं एवाहुर्दानं एकं कलौ युगे । । १.८६ । । (Manu. Smri. 1.86)<ref>Manusmriti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tapaḥ paraṃ kṛtayuge tretāyāṃ jñānaṃ ucyate । dvāpare yajñaṃ evāhurdānaṃ ekaṃ kalau yuge । । 1.86 । । (Manu. Smri. 1.86)</blockquote>Similar idea is also mentioned in Mahabharata. In Shanti Parva it is explained that the dharms of people varies from one age to another: tapasya is best in Sat Yug, gnan in Treta Yug, and yagna in Dwapar Yug. In Kali Yug, daan alone is best for people.<ref>Mahabharat. Shantiparv. Ch. 231.27-28 (Ved Vyas, 2001, p. 5036).</ref>
The subject of dana is of utmost importance in the present yuga as mentioned by Manu while propounding the kaliyuga dharmas in Manusmriti. Manu and others (Parashara Smriti) state that in the four yugas namely Krita (कृत), Treta (त्रेता), Dvapara (द्वापर) and Kali (कलि), the principal aspects of religious life were respectively Tapas (तपः), metaphysical knowledge (ज्ञानं ), sacrifices (यज्ञं) and danam (दानम्) <blockquote>तपः परं कृतयुगे त्रेतायां ज्ञानं उच्यते । द्वापरे यज्ञं एवाहुर्दानं एकं कलौ युगे । । १.८६ । । (Manu. Smri. 1.86)<ref>Manusmriti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tapaḥ paraṃ kṛtayuge tretāyāṃ jñānaṃ ucyate । dvāpare yajñaṃ evāhurdānaṃ ekaṃ kalau yuge । । 1.86 । । (Manu. Smri. 1.86)</blockquote>Similar idea is also mentioned in Mahabharata. In Shanti Parva it is explained that the dharma of people varies from one age to another: tapasya is best in Sat Yuga, Gnana in Treta Yuga, and Yajna in Dwapar Yug. In Kali Yuga, dana alone is best practice for people.<ref>Mahabharat. Shantiparv. Ch. 231.27-28 (Ved Vyas, 2001, p. 5036).</ref>
== दानलक्षणानि ॥ Characteristics of Dana ==
== दानलक्षणानि ॥ Characteristics of Dana ==
Traditional literature on dana is very large and varied, abounding with many nuances, and shades of opinion. Therefore, only a very simplistic presentation is given here.<ref name=":0" />
Traditional literature on dana is very large and varied, abounding with many nuances, and shades of opinion. Therefore, only a very simplistic presentation is given here. Dana by principle carries the following four important features<ref name=":0" />
# '''For Your Own Sake''' : Dana is not given for the benefit of the recipient. Any benefit which the recipient may derive is secondary. It is fundamentally given for one's own benefit. This is based on the basic concept that the world is a binding factor, and wealth is one of the anchors that binds us to this earth (in cycles of birth and death). Therefore, practice of tyaga or 'sacrifice' or 'giving up' one's wealth helps corrode this anchor.
# '''For Your Own Sake''' : Dana is not given for the benefit of the recipient. Any benefit which the recipient may derive is secondary. It is fundamentally given for one's own benefit. This is based on the basic concept that the world is a binding factor, and wealth is one of the anchors that binds us to this earth (in cycles of birth and death). Therefore, practice of tyaga or 'sacrifice' or 'giving up' one's wealth helps corrode this anchor.
# '''A Suitable Recipient''' : His/her connection with a dana must end when they part with the property. They are mostly not concerned with how the item is eventually utilised. However, at the time of identifying the recipient, they must find a suitable candidate, patra (पात्रः). It is generally recognised that while most dana is directed towards Brahmins dana to non-Brahmins is not prohibited or insignificant. This is broadly in line with the pauranik directives. However, there are three important caveats:
# '''A Suitable Recipient''' : His/her connection with a dana must end when they part with the property. They are mostly not concerned with how the item is eventually utilised. However, at the time of identifying the recipient, they must find a suitable candidate, patra (पात्रः). It is generally recognised that while most dana is directed towards Brahmins dana to non-Brahmins is not prohibited or insignificant. This is broadly in line with the pauranik directives. However, there are three important caveats:
# [[Donor (दाता)]]
# [[Donor (दाता)]]
# [[Acceptor (प्रतिग्रहीता)]] or Patra (पात्रः)
# [[Acceptor (प्रतिग्रहीता)]] or Patra (पात्रः)
# Respectful Transaction (श्रद्धा)
# Respectful Transaction or Right Disposition (श्रद्धा)
# Appropriate object for donation, [[Danavastu (देयम्)]]
# Appropriate object for donation, [[Danavastu (देयम्)]]
# Right place (देशः)
# Right place (देशः)
* When the receiver is scolded or told unpleasant things or is cursed afterwards, then the dana is known as Pishacha dana (पैशाचकदानम).
* When the receiver is scolded or told unpleasant things or is cursed afterwards, then the dana is known as Pishacha dana (पैशाचकदानम).
Hearing this crystal clear explanation of the cryptic shloka, the King was overjoyed. Devarshi Narad then left the money in the King's care, and proceeded on his business.
Hearing this crystal clear explanation of the cryptic shloka, the King was overjoyed. Devarshi Narad then left the money in the King's care, and proceeded on his business.
== श्रद्धा ॥ Right Disposition ==
In the Taittiriya Upanisad, the Guru imparts the student to be charitable. It mentions various conditions of charity<ref>Taittiriya Upanisad, 1:11:2 and 1:11:3</ref>:
ये के चास्मच्छ्रेयाँसो ब्राह्मणाः तेषां त्वयाऽऽसनेन प्रश्वसितव्यम् । श्रद्धया देयम् । अश्रद्धयाऽदेयम् । श्रिया देयम् । ह्रिया देयम् । भिया देयम् । संविदा देयम् । अथ यदि ते कर्मविचिकित्सा वा वृत्तविचिकित्सा वा स्यात् ॥ ३ ॥
# Give with respect/honour (Sraddha deyam)
# Don’t give with disrespect/dishonour
# Give according to one’s prosperity/capacity
# Give with modesty
# Give with awe and respect
# Give with fellow-feeling and friendly attitude
In the Mahabharata, story of [[Shibi Chakravarti (शिबिचक्रवर्तिः)|King Shibi]] is narrated wherein the King explained that he does not give daan for prestige or gain. He gives daan only because it is the righteous path of dharm, on which the best have always walked.<ref>Mahabharat, Van Parv, Markandeya Samaasya Parv. Ch. 198 (Ved Vyas, 2001, pp. 1518-21)</ref>
== Types of Dana ==
== Types of Dana ==
Bheeshm also goes on to explain that a Brahmin with certain characteristics should not be given daan: one who criticises the Vedas, relies unduly on logic, does not propagate approved doctrines, is loud and noisy, abuses Brahmins, is suspicious of everyone, behaves like children or fools, and is bitter in dialogue.
Bheeshm also goes on to explain that a Brahmin with certain characteristics should not be given daan: one who criticises the Vedas, relies unduly on logic, does not propagate approved doctrines, is loud and noisy, abuses Brahmins, is suspicious of everyone, behaves like children or fools, and is bitter in dialogue.
==References==
==References==