Part 5.1 - The sixteen Mahādānas

According to the Matsyapurāṇa there are sixteen (16) Mahādānas. Their names are:

1. tulāpuruṣa,^[1]
2. hiraṇyagarbha,^[2]
3. brahmāṇḍa,^[3]
4. kalpapādapa,^[4]
5. gosahasrapradāna,^[5]
6. kāmadhenu,^[6]
7. hiraṇyāśva,^[7]
8. aśvaratha,^[8]
9. hemahastiratha,^[9]
10. pañcalāṃgalaka,^[10]
11. hemadharā,^[11]
12. viśvacakra,^[12]
13. mahākalpalatā,^[13]
14. saptasāgara,^[14]
15. ratnadhenu^[15] and
16. mahābhūtaghaṭa.^[16]

These dānas are said to be the most sacred.^[17] Apart from the Matsyapurāṇa, the Agnipurāṇa, the Liṅgapurāṇa etc. also discussed the mahādānas. There are some differences among the Purāṇas on the list of mahādānas. It is said in the Matsyapurāṇa that one who performs one of these dānas without any obstacle is not harmed by his enemy.^[18] To perform these mahādanās great amount of wealth is needed. In the following lines brief discussions on these dānas are presented.

a) Tulāpuruṣa-mahādāna

This is regarded as the best among the sixteen mahādānas.^[19] In the tulāpuruṣamahādāna,one person is weighted in gold and this huge quantity of gold is donated with proper rituals. It is performed on the occasions of śrāddha, marriages, after having seen bad dreams and in the days of ayana, viṣuva, vyātīpāta, on the first day of the yugas and manvataras, on the day of saṃkrānti, vaidhṛti, caturdaśī, aṣṭami, śuklapañcadaśī etc.^[20] One who is eager for prosperity, places more gold on the scale. Reciting mantras the devotee donates half of the gold to his preceptor and the remaining portions are given away among the Ṛttvikas and others.^[21] It is the dispeller of all ills. By performing it one gets virtue, long life.^[22] By doing this ordinance one becomes illustrious like the Sun.^[23]

b) Hiraṇyagarbha-mahādāna

This dāna is observed on an auspicious day. Arrangement for this dāna is made by making a maṇdapa, collecting articles, ornaments, canopy etc.^[24] After the invocation of Lord Viṣṇu and Lokapālas, the devotee arranges a jar of gold of seventy two fingers of the shape of lotus.^[25] The jar is filled with clarified butter and milk, jewels, needles sickle, lotus of gold and many other valuable articles. Image of sun made of gold is also required for this ritual. This jar is termed as hiraṇyagarbha. After performing all the necessary rituals donation of hiraṇyagarbha along with other articles, viz., golds, sandals, shoes, umbrella, camara, seats, utensils etc. are made to the priests. According to the Matsyapurāṇa, the devotee by performing this sacrifice attains brahmaloka.^[26]

c) Brahmāṇḍa-mahādāna

The replica of universe is made with gold donated in this dāna. The devotee, on an auspicious day, by making all the arrangements invokes the Lokapāla. The devotee makes the brahmāṇḍa with gold measuring twenty (20) palas to one thousand (1000) palas accordimg to his capability.^[27] The images of four-faced Brahmā and of the eight lokapālas, Śiva, Viṣṇu, Sūrya, Pārvatī, Lakṣmī, Vasu, Maruts and precious jewels are kept in the brahmāṇḍa. The length of the brahmāṇḍa should be from one (1) cubit to one hundred (100) fingers. After performing the rituals, reciting the prescribed mantras, all the articles of worship should be divided in to ten parts, two parts of which are given away to the preceptor and the rest are to the brāhmaṇas.^[28] By performing this mahādāna, the devotee becomes liberated from sins and gets happiness and pleasure.^[29]

d) Kalpapādapa-mahādāna

Kalpapādapa means a golden tree with various kinds of fruits and birds sitting on the branches. This golden tree is made of four (4) to one thousand (1000) palas of gold. Five branches along with the images of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva, Sūrya and Cupid should be made. After homa and other rituals the kalpa tree along with other articles are given to the four ṛttvikas.^[30]

e) Gosahasrapradāna-mahādāna

Giving of one thousand (1000) cows as gifts is regarded as mahādāna. For observing this ordinance the devotee remains on fast for one night or three nights taking only milk.^[31] In this mahādāna, thousand cows with their horns mounted with gold, hoofs with silver, adorned with ornaments, cloths, flowers etc. are donated to the preceptor, Ṛttvikas and brāhmaṇas.^[32] By performing this mahādāna the devotee becomes liberated from all sins and gets honour from the gods.^[33]

f) Kāmadhenu-mahādāna

In this ceremony an image of cow and her calf are made of gold. Kāmadhenu made with one thousand (1000) palas of gold is regarded as the best. Even a person with lesser means should make the kāmadhenu with not less than three (3) palas of gold.^[34] After performing all the rituals the devotee gives away the kāmadhenu to the brāhmaṇa of noble lineage, of good qualities and handsome appearance. The performer of this ordinance goes to the realm of Indra.^[35] According to the Matsyapurāṇa, it also fulfills all the desires of the devotee.^[36]

g) Hiraṇyāśva-mahādāna

Another mahādāna is giving of a golden horse which is made of three to one thousand palas of gold according to the means of the devotee. ^[37] At the end of the ceremonial deeds, the devotee recites the mantra praising lord Viṣṇu and Sun and then gives away the golden horse to his preceptor.^[38] By performing this one is freed from all his sins.^[39]

h) Aśvaratha-mahādāna

In this mahādāna a golden chariot is made of three palas to one bhāra of gold according to the means of the devotee. The chariot must contain four wheels and eight or four or two horses. A flag staff and the images of Aśvinīkumaras riding the chariot are also to be made.^[40] After the prescribed ceremonial deeds and praising lord Surya, the devotee gives away the chariot to his preceptor.^[41] The performer of this mahādāna becomes illustrious. It liberates the devotee from all his sins.^[42]

i) Hemahāstiratha-mahādāna

In this mahādāna, a chariot of the shape of puṣpaka with four wheels is made of gold and precious stones.^[43] Four golden elephants and two real elephants are to be donated with this chariot. Performing all the requisite rituals and uttering the mantras the devotee gives the chariot away to the brāhmaṇas.^[44] The devotee who performs this mahādāna attains the Viṣṇuloka.^[45]

j) Pañcalāṅgalaka-mahādāna

On the commencement of a yuga or on the occasion of an eclipse, a plot of land measuring five (5) ploughs is given away. Apart from this any town or a village is given away after making the fields prosperous with harvest. Five ploughs of good wood, five ploughs of gold made from five palas to one thousand palas, five pairs of oxen are also the parts of this mahādāna. A plot of land which can hold thirty poles of seven hands each is called the nirvartana. According to the Matsyapurāṇa who gives away a plot of hundred nirvartanas in area is freed from all his sins.^[46]

k) Hemadharā-mahādāna

In this dāna, the golden image of the earth is placed on the black deer skin that is spread over the vedī. Beside the image of the earth eighteen grains and some other prescribed articles are kept. One half or one fourth of the image of the earth made of gold is given to the preceptor and rest is given among the ṛttvikas.^[47] It brings bliss for the devotee.

l) Viśvacakra-mahādāna

Viśvacakra means the wheel of the Universe. This mahādāna is regarded as the dispeller of heinous sins. An image of golden viśvacakra is made with one thousand (1000) palas or five hundred (500) palas or two hundred fifty (250) palas of gold. In the middle of it image of Viṣṇu in yoga posture is placed. Another image of Viṣṇu in lying posture is also made in the wheel. Some other images including the images of eight goddesses are also made inside the wheel. After performing all the rituals and reciting the mantras the viśvacakra given away to the brāhmaṇas.^[48]

m) Mahākalpalatā-mahādāna

Kalpalatā means creepers yielding all desires. This mahādāna is also the destroyer of great sin. Ten (10) kalpalatās are made of gold and are decorated with various fruits, flowers, birds etc. After performing the prescribed rituals this kalpalatā along with some other gifts are given away among the preceptors and the brāhmaṇas. The mahādāna liberates the devotee’s one hundred generations of manes from the sea of troubles.^[49]

n) Saptasāgara-mahādāna

On an auspicious day after the svastivacana the lokapālas are invoked. After the proper arrangements of the ornaments, cloths, coverings and ṛttvikas, seven sacrificial pits are made of gold.^[50] Among these seven pits one is filled with salt, second one is filled with milk, the third one, with clarified butter, the fourth one, with molasses, fifth one, with curds, sixth one, with sugar and the seventh one is filled with the sacred waters.^[51] The golden images of Brahmā, Keśava, Śiva, Sun, Moon, Lakṣmī, Pārvatī are kept respectively in the pits.^[52] After proper ceremonial works the devotee recites the mantra praising the oceans and gives away these mahādāna. By this the devotee not only attains the Viṣṇuloka but also liberates his sons, wife, father, grandfather etc. from sins.

o) Ratnadhenu-mahādāna

In this ordinance an image of cow studded with precious jewels is made. A tilaka is made on the head of the cow with gold, one hundred (100) pearls are placed in the eyes, one hundred (100) corals are placed in the brows, two another pearls are placed in the ears and the horns are made of gold. Great numbers of jewels like diamonds, gomedas, sapphires, cat’s eyes, crystals etc. are also to be placed on different limbs of the cow. Thus the cow made with different ratnas is given away to the preceptor after performing the rituals and invocation of the cow.^[53] In this mahādāna one has to remain on fast after the invocation of the cow. This leads a devotee to the region of Viṣṇu and removes all his sin.^[54]

p) Mahābhūtaghaṭa-mahādāna

In this mahādāna, the devotee makes a pitcher of gold and studded with precious stones.^[55] The size of the pitcher should be from one (1) pradeśa to one hundred (100) fingers. The pitcher is filled with clarified butter, milk etc. Images of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva are made seated on the lotuses with their vāhanas. There are also images of other gods, viz., Vāyu, Varuṇa, Agni etc. All these devas are to be placed together with the five (5) Vedas (i.e., four Vedas and the Mahābhārata) within the pitcher. After placing all the prescribed articles in proper places the devotee recites mantras for Lord Mahābhūta, who is the locus of all. Then he gives away the pitcher. By performing this ordinance the devotee becomes liberated from all his sins and attains beatitude.^[56]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Matsyapurāṇa, 274

[2]:

Ibid., 275

[3]:

Ibid., 276

[4]:

Ibid., 277

[5]:

Ibid., 278

[6]:

Ibid., 279

[7]:

Ibid., 280

[8]:

Ibid., 281

[9]:

Ibid., 282

[10]:

Ibid., 283

[11]:

Ibid., 284

[12]:

Ibid., 285

[13]:

Ibid., 286

[14]:

Ibid., 287

[15]:

Ibid., 288

[16]:

Ibid., 289

[17]:

Ibid., 274.4

[18]:

Ibid., 274.14

[19]:

Ibid., 274.5

[20]:

Ibid., 274.19-22

[21]:

Ibid., 274.67-72

[22]:

Ibid., 274.6

[23]:

Ibid., 274.76

[24]:

Ibid., 275.2

[25]:

Ibid., 275.4

[26]:

Ibid., 275.26

[27]:

one pala is equal to four tolā

[28]:

Ibid., 276.13-16

[29]:

Ibid., 276.18

[30]:

Ibid., 277.16

[31]:

Ibid., 278.2

[32]:

Ibid., 278.21

[33]:

, 278.22

[34]:

Ibid., 279.4-5

[35]:

Ibid., 279.13

[36]:

Ibid., 279.1

[37]:

Ibid., 280.5

[38]:

Ibid., 280.6-11

[39]:

Ibid., 280.13

[40]:

Ibid., 281.3-11

[41]:

Ibid.,281.14

[42]:

Ibid., 281.1

[43]:

Ibid., 282.4

[44]:

Ibid., 282.10-11

[45]:

Ibid., 282.1

[46]:

Ibid., 283.15

[47]:

, 284.18

[48]:

Ibid., 285.18

[49]:

Ibid., 286.16

[50]:

Ibid., 287.3

[51]:

, 287.5-7

[52]:

Ibid., 287.7-9

[53]:

Ibid., 288.16

[54]:

Ibid., 288.18

[55]:

, 289.3

[56]:

Ibid., 289.14