Types of Daan(Charity/दान)and its importance.
As narrated by Narad Rishi, once there was an Akashvani which requested Katyayan Muni to seek Rishi Saarasvat and know about the nuances of Dharma Tatva. So the Muni traveled up to the Saraswati river and went to him to understand the philosophy of Dharma.
The Rishi, among other things, explained the importance of Dharma. This mortal world is just a reflection of your shadow. He advised that if one wants to seek Moksha then we have to follow the path of Dharma and always should be charitable. Only the amount required for the upkeep of family should be kept, rest everything should be given in charity. Lead a path of Satya, Good behavior, Kind words, Protecting Dharma, and upkaar to others. If you desire charity, your existence will have relevance. If the charity is done without any intent you get Moksha. If the charity is for a specific purpose then you get the good result only for your present life. Actually, Daan or Charity is a difficult task since your inner inclinations come in the way. So surrendering a thing becomes difficult. Continuous Charity wins you the Punya for many lives. There are many stories in our ancient texts about Kings donating everything towards charity and have gone to Swarg.
Once Narad and Bhrigu Muni went in search of a land to settle the Brahmins. They reached the banks of Mahi and decided that this was the right place. But this land belonged to King Dharmverma. Narad was reluctant to ask charity from the King as there would be no Punya in that act.
The muni's have described three types of Dravya(Charity), SHUKLA, SHABAL, AND KRISHNA.
SHUKLA:- A brahmin receiving charity from the student after teaching him Vedas is Shukla.
SHBAAL:-Dravya got from business, farming, etc is Shabal
KRISHNA:-And through robbery the dravya becomes Krishna.
SHUKLA form was the best So he decides that he will receive only the SHUKLA form of charity by answering and solving the following SHLOKA. द्विहेतु षडधिष्ठानं षडन्गम् च द्विपाकयुक्। चतुष्प्रकारं त्रिविधं त्रिनाशं दानमुच्यते॥ The King Dharmsen wanted to Know the two reasons for Daan, its six approaches, six parts, two results, and four types of vanish or loss due to wrong charity. But no one was able to get it right.
So Naarad with SHUKLA type of Charity in his mind deciphers this mantra and explains it to him. The two reasons for Daan should be Shradha and Shakti. This means your complete conviction and your ability to give. Even if you surrender your life towards charity without firm conviction, then that charity is useless. Shradha is of three types. They are satviki, Rajsi, and Taamsi. The one who performs puja to devtas are SATVIKI, the one who are RAJSI, are devotees of Yaksha and the worshipper of Pret and demons is Taamsi. Secondly, your Charity should be equivalent to your ability to give, not more nor less. The two results would be one for the Parlok and the other for this lok:- A)Charity given to suitable and eligible person helps you in Parlok. B)But the other way round only helps you in this lok. The four types of Daan are Dhruv, Trik, Kaamya, and Naimitik. 1)DRUV-Constructing a well and building a garden is Dhruv. 2)TRIK-Donating things daily is Trik. 3)KAAMYA-Donating, in order to fulfill your wish, is Kaamya. 4)NAIMITIK-Naimitik is of three types. A)The charity done on Sankrant and eclipse is Kaalpeksh. B)The charity done during Shradh is Kriyapeksh. C)The charity has done during Sanskaars and pertaining to Vidya is Gunapeksh.
The eight things when donated, are auspicious. They are 1)House, 2)Temple, 3)Vidya, 4)Land, 5)Cow, 6)Well, 7)Praan, and 8)Gold are counted as Uttam daan. Food, Garden, Clothes, and Horses account for Madhyam daan. Shoes, umbrella, curd, honey, mat, wood, etc are Kanishtha daan.
The three things that render your daan to be null and void are Repentance on giving, Daan to the eligible and ineligible,Puran and daan given without any inner conviction. On getting the desired reply, the king donated a huge chunk of land along with gold coins to Naarad.
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