Verse 7.39 - The distinctions of gifting (dāna)

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Tattvartha sūtra 7.39:

विधिद्रव्यदातृपात्रविशेषात्तद्विशेषः ॥ ७.३९ ॥

vidhidravyadātṛpātraviśeṣāttadviśeṣaḥ || 7.39 ||

The effect of giving of the gift–dāna–has distinctions based on the specific manner in which it is given–vidhiviśeṣa, the specific thing given–dravyaviśeṣa, the specific nature of the giver–dātṛviśeṣa, and the specific nature of the recipient–pātraviśeṣa. (39)

Hindi Anvayarth:

अन्वयार्थ: [विधिद्रव्यदातृपात्रविशेषात्] विधि, द्रव्य, दातृ और पात्र की विशेषता से [तद्विशेषः] दान में विशेषता होती है।

Anvayartha: [vidhidravyadatripatravisheshat] vidhi, dravya, datri aura patra ki visheshata se [tadvisheshah] dana mem visheshata hoti hai |

Explanation in English from Ācārya Pūjyapāda’s Sarvārthasiddhi:

Charity (dāna) has been described. Are there any distinctions with regard to the effects of the gift?

The manner is the way in which a guest is received and attended to. The distinction is excellence or superiority due to particular qualities. It is added on to everything–excellence of the manner, excellence of the thing given, superiority of the giver, and superiority of the recipient. Thus, ‘vidhiviśeṣa’ is the distinction in the manner the guest is received and attended to–with reverence or without reverence. The excellence of the thing given–dravyaviśeṣa–consists in its quality to promote austerity, study, etc. The superiority of the giver–dātṛviśeṣa–lies in his being free from envy and dejection. The presence of qualities which lead to salvation indicates the superiority of the recipient–pātraviśeṣa. As excellence in the quality of the soil, etc., enhances the quality of the seed and produces a rich harvest, similarly, excellence in the manner (vidhi), etc., of the gift enhances the quality of the charity (dāna) and produces great merit (puṇya).