Rigveda Mandala 1
Saptashityuttara Shatatamam (187) Suktam
Ekadasharchasya asya suktasya Maitravarunir Agastya rishih | annam devata |
Pitum nu stoshama maho dharmanam tavishim |
Yasya trito vyojasa vritram viparvam ardayat ||1||
Swado pito madho pito vayam tva vavrimaha |
Asmakam avita bhava ||2||
Donation and Charity
Sudrakoti Sahasranam: Donation to one Brahmin is equal to feeding a crore Sudras.
Viprakoti Sahasranam: Feeding one crore Brahmins equals constructing a Vishnu temple.
Vishnu Koti Sahasranam: Constructing a Shiva temple equals building a crore Vishnu temples.
Rudrakoti Sahasranam: Feeding a knowledgeable person equals making one crore Shiva temples.
Types of Daanam (Charity)
Jala Daanam: Giving water ensures wealth.
Shayana Daanam: Donating a bed ensures happiness.
Vastra Daanam: Giving clothes ensures a long life.
Kumkum Daanam: Women donating kumkum ensure their husband’s long life.
Chandana Daanam: Sandalwood donation prevents accidents.
Narikela Daanam: Donating coconuts grants salvation to ancestors.
Buttermilk Daanam: Ensures knowledge and enlightenment.
Padaraksha Daanam: Donating slippers prevents suffering in hell.
Chatra Daanam: Donating umbrellas removes obstacles.
Philosophy of Donation
Donation without expectation is the highest virtue. Blood donation should be selfless, and Vidya Daanam (education donation) is noble only when given freely.
Organ donation is the greatest gift. Eyes can only be donated after death, and the recipient never knows the donor.
Bhagavad Gita on Charity
Satwika Daanam: Given in holy places to deserving people.
Rajasika Daanam: Given with expectation of return.
Tamasa Daanam: Given at improper times, places, or to undeserving people.