“O Grandsire! kindly enlighten me about charities and their characteristics.” asked Dharmaja.
“O Dharmaja! if any body gives away a milching cow as charity to a virtuous brahmin, he will enjoy heavenly pleasures for number of years equal to the hair of that cow. Bride, land, house, gold, vehicles, rice, water, clothes, cots, seats, etc. are fit to be given in charity to virtuous brahmins,. But, if anybody comes for charity, if his need is fulfilled with affection, that is considered to be greatest of all. Giving Abhaya (promise to save) to a person with fear, is best of all.
Giving away his life during war is also glorious. Helping a person who is suffering with poverty and unable to maintain his own wife and children, is a good quality. One has to search for a virtuous person who does not look at another lady other than his own wife; who are interested in performing Yajnas and Yagas; who obstructs desires and anger from entering into mind; for giving charity.” said Bhishma.
“O Bhishma! Is it good to make charity to a person who approaches him or making charity unasked for , knowing the mind of the other person.
“O Dharmaja! making charity to a person who requested him for charity is common. But making charity unasked for yields more results. Hence we have to go in search of a virtuous person to make charity and try to know his mind as to what he actually desires. For a virtuous person, asking for alms is equal to death. Therefore, one has to know his mind and make charities.” said Bhishma.
“O Grandisre! making charity is equal to Yajna. Which kind of charity yields good results.” asked Dharmaja.
“O Dharmaja! giving away money, grains, cows, diamonds, land, water, food etc. to virtuous brahmins yields the result of performing Yajna. But amongst all charities, giving away land as charity is best of all. Because, all the other things viz., clothes, grains, diamonds etc. are products of land (earth). Giving away land as charity is equivalent to giving away all the above things as charity. The person who gives away land as charity enjoys heavenly pleasures as long as the earth exists. Even if one parts with small extent of land as charity, he will enjoy royal pleasures in his next birth.
If a Kshatriya dies in war, he will attain the fruits of Bhoodaana. Sins like Brahma Hatya will vanish by performing Bhoodaana. Whether the person who does Boodaana is a great sinner, that sin does not affect the land he gives. Bhoodaana is equivalent to Asvamedha. If land is given to a poor brahmin, unasked for, it gives immense fruits. While performing Yagas and Yajnas, Bhoodaana is compulsory. Even if an extent of land equivalent to cow’s skin, is given in charity, to a virtuous brahmin, it vanishes all the sins of the person who made that charity.
Even dying in war, worshipping Guru and performing virtuous deeds are not all equivalent to Bhoodaana.
Once Bhoodevi (mother earth) said:
“Whoever desires pleasures on the earth and in heaven, he shall perform Bhoodaana. There is no Dharma equivalent to Boodana. I satisfy immensely if I am given in charity to others. If anybody obstructs Bhoodaana, I feel distressed. However wrongdoer he maybe, if he does Boodaana, I bless him with heavenly pleasures.” said mother earth.
O Dharmaja! in this connection I tell you the words of Brihaspati to Devendra. “O Devendra! Earth is called Ratna Garbha. (pregnant with diamonds). Whoever does Boodaana, he attains the fruits of giving horses, elephants, and girls in charity to others. Gold is extracted from earth. Hence, Bhoodaana is equivalent to Suvarna Daana. Kings generally commit sins while ruling the people Those sins vanish only by performing Bhoodaana. Whoever recovers the land once given as charity, he goes to hell. Whoever fails to keep the word of Bhoodaana, he attains greatest sin. If Bhoodaana is made unasked for, he gets Maha Punya.” said Brihaspati to Devendra.
Therefore, Dharmaja! you also perform Bhoodaana to your might.” said Bhishma.
“O Dharmaja! food, gold, water, are preferable to be given as charity. In the past, sages, divine bodies praise food (cooked rice). It is called Anna Daana. During Yajnas and Yagas, Anna (cooked rice) occupies prominent place. Therefore there is no charity greater than Anna Daana. In every auspicious occasion, Annadaana is compulsory. Our life depends on food. Even if we are deprived of food, we should offer food to guest. If a tired person, Tapasvi, boy, handicapped, lady......prays for food, the householder shall serve them food without getting angry. Offering food to a low caste people and even a dog with hunger, attains Maha Punya. It is a great act to offer food to saints, pitaras and divine bodies. To perform Anna daana, caste, education, profession do not come in our way. Not only to brahmins, Annadaana shall me made to all castes.
Next comes gold. It is called Suvarna daana. During the course of a Vrata, if Suvarnadaana is made, it increases the lifespan.
Next comes water. If water is supplied to those who are thirsty, it is greater than all charities. Charity of water means digging wells, tanks, and making use of that water for drinking purposes. Such people attain higher regions.
Next comes ghee. Ghee is used in all auspicious occasions and also in Yajnas and yagas. By giving away ghee to others, Agni and Yajnapurusha will satisfy. Giving pots, firewood, umbrellas, vehicles, chapals etc yields good results.
Gingelly seeds(Tila) are the food for Pitaras. If Gingelly seeds are given, all his sins will vanish. Tila Dana is greatest of all. Tila Dana is received by saints.
