Chapter 235 - Importance of Dāna in Cāturmāsya

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Brahmā said:

1. They praise the virtue of munificence (as the greatest) among all virtuous activities always. Especially, when Hari is asleep Dāna (munificence, religious gift) becomes a means of attaining Brahman-hood (status of Brahman).

2. It has been mentioned that Anna (cooked food) is Brahman. Vital airs are established in (i.e. sustained by) Anna. Hence a man should make a liberal gift of cooked food and water.

3. He who bestows water becomes contented. He who bestows cooked food acquires everlasting happiness. There is no other gift on a par with that of cooked food and water. Nor can there be one in future.

4. The gift of cooked food excels all other types of gifts, such as those of jewels, corals, silver, gold, garments etc.

5. The gift of cooked food, water and cows; the recitation of the Vedas everyday, and performing Homa in the sacred fire during Cāturmāsya yield great merit.

6. If you have a desire to get position in Vaikuṇṭha, or to be in touch with Viṣṇu or for the purpose of quelling all sins, you should be a giver of cooked food in Cāturmāsya.

7. It is the truth, O celestial sage, it is the truth that has been told by me to you, O Nārada, that in the course of thousands of births nothing that has not been given rebounds to one’s advantage.

8. Hence all creatures become delighted with the gift of cooked food. Devas like the man who gives cooked food.

9. Ghee is to be given with great faith in pots in combination with diamond. A mortal who makes the gift of diamonds in Cāturmāsya is no (ordinary) man.

10. He who has to his credit, the offering of food to preceptors and Brāhmaṇas, the gift of ghee, extending of great hospitality during Cāturmāsya is no (ordinary) man.

11. The following are very rare during Cāturmāsya: listening to stories and anecdotes of the good, service to the pious people, contact with good people, adoration of Viṣṇu and keen interest in making gifts.

12. A man who gives cooked food during Cāturmāsya with the Pitṛs in view, shall attain Pitṛloka. His soul shall become rid of all sins.

13-14. All the Devas become pleased with the gift of cooked food and they grant what is desired. Even an ant takes food from anyone’s house either at night or during day. Gift of food is never prohibited (either by day or at night). Gift of cooked food is very excellent when Hṇri is asleep. It destroys sins. It should not be restricted but extended even to enemies.

15. The gift of milk, curds and buttermilk during Cāturmāsya yields great merit. Offering of rice-ball at birthday is an excellent Dana.

16. A person who makes the gift of vegetables does not see Naraka and the world of Yama. He who makes’ the gift of garments shall stay in Somaloka until all the living beings are annihilated (till Pralaya).

17. When the Lord is asleep, one should make gifts of flowers and garments according to one’s capacity, even to other images (of deities). Thereby the line of progeny is saved from extinction.

18. A man who gives sandal-paste, agallochum and incense during Cāturmāsya, shall become endowed with sons and grandsons. He shall gain the form of Viṣṇu,

19. When the Lord of the universe is asleep, one should make gift of fruits to a Brāhmaṇa well-versed in the Vedas. One does not then see the world of Yama.

20. He who makes the gift of learning, cows, and plots of land only to please Viṣṇu causes the redemption of his ancestors.

21. He who makes the gift of gingelly seeds and cooked food sprinkled with honey, or offers jaggery, salt, oil etc. with any deity in view, goes to the world of that deity.

22. By giving gingelly seeds during Cāturmāsya one shall cease to be born again (or to suck at the breasts of a mother). A person who gives barely goes to the world of Vāsava which is without destruction.

23. Havya should be consigned to the sacred fire and gifts should be made to the twice-born. Cows should be adored well, especially during Cāturmāsya.

24. Whatever merit has been acquired till this birth and hoarded well, gets destroyed if a deserving person goes away with averted face (without getting anything) during Cāturmāsya.

25. He who turns back from his word (i.e. one breaking one’s promise) is doomed instantly. Day by day his promise gets accumulated.

26. Hence one should not make a promise (of future gifts). Even if it be little, it is to be given away quickly. Until it is given, the burden of (promised) gift increases.

27. If out of delusion, a man does not give away (promised) gifts it increases ten million times, but if one makes the gift in Cāturmāsya the increase is ten times more than that.

28. If one fails to make the gift, one falls into Naraka and remains there until fourteen Indras rule. Hence the gift promised should always be given away immediately.

29-33. What is given to one should not be taken back or given to another.

He who makes the gift of a bed to the most excellent Brāhmaṇa during Cāturmāsyas in accordance with the injunctions in the Vedas, never goes to the abode of Yama,

A seat, a water pot, a vessel or a copper utensil should be assiduously given in accordance with one’s capacity during Cāturmāsya.

By giving all types of gifts to Brāhmaṇas when the Lord of the universe is asleep, one rids oneself along with his ancestors of sins.

By giving a cow, a plot of land, a vessel of gingelly seeds and lamps to a Brāhmaṇa one becomes released from the three types of debts,

34. In Cāturmāsya, if one gives anything with any deity in view, one becomes liberated. (For) He, the Lord, is the creator of the universe, the protector of the worlds. He partakes of Yajña and gifts and he is the bestower of all benefits.