They shall hold great festivals with the festivity of song, music, dance, rites of Abhisheka of deities (bathing of Gods Murtis) and offerings of Mahanaivedya. Festival days such as Ekadashi, Janmashtmi etc. should be celebrated through Pooja of Shree Krishna and feeding devotees of God. Deserving Brahmins should be given Daan (donation). Similarly Sadhus (ascetics) should be given various kinds of alms such as clothing.
Vrudha Parashara explains:
Tapaha Param Krutayuge Tretayam Gnanamuchate |
Dvapare Yagnamevahurdaanmeva Kalauyuge ||
‘In Satya Yuga - Tapa (penance); in Treta - Gnaan (knowledge); in Dwapara - Yagna (sacrifice); and in Kali - Daan are considered the best.’ Brihaspati adds, ‘In Kali, Daan, Daya (compassion) and Dama (control of the senses) are the best Dharma.’ Yagnavalkya explains who should be given Daan (Patrata): ‘Supatrata (deservingness) is not exclusively attributed to one who is only knowledgeable or only penanceful but is attributed to he who is both knowledgeable and penanceful along with having the quality of Sadachar (good conduct) within them.’
Yamaraja says, ‘He who studies the Vedas, has restraint, is penanceful, meditative, forgiving, has control of his senses and who speaks the truth, such a Brahmin is considered as deserving.’ ‘Cows, land, seeds and gold should be given to such deserving people. Those who wish for personal well being should never give donations to the undeserving.’ Vishnudharmotara explains that Daan given to somebody who is undeserving is Tamoguni by nature and as such the consequence of such donation is rebirth as an animal or bird: ‘The fruits derived through Tamasa acts are enjoyed through life as an animal or bird.’
Kashikhanda explains, ‘Donation to the following nine: the deserving, a friend, the humble, the poor or helpless, the orphaned or unsupported, the benevolent, mother, father and Guru, will result in endless fruits. However donation to the following nine: a Chata (one who breaks trust by stealing from you), one belonging to a caste of panegyrists, a thief, a wicked doctor, a cheat or deceiver, a fraudulent person, a cunning person, a wrestler (athlete) or a minstrel are useless.’
Brihaspati Smruti says, ‘Daan offered which is then sold in a shop is considered fruitless. Similarly Daan offered to a sinful person or Daan given but acquired through dishonest means is also fruitless. Also Daan given to somebody other than a Brahmin, the sinful, a thief, one who troubles a Guru, the faithless, only in one’s village, only famed Brahmins, a Brahmin who marries a Shudra, one who profits from the Vedas, to a man who resides in one’s own house, one who is overcome by women, one who is cursed and to a servant are all fruitless.’
Bhavishya Purana explains Daan that is fruitful, ‘Things that are dear to oneself and have been acquired through honest or lawful means should be given to those who are deserving. Similarly Mahabharat explains, ‘O King! That which is acquired lawfully by oneself and offered with faith to the deserving, derives endless fruits.’
Daan should be given only if one is financially capable. If you have excess income such that it is over and above that required for personal livelihood, then it should be donated. Hence food and clothes should be given only if you have excess amounts. Vyaas however stipulates an exception to the rule: ‘A great Brahmin should be given food even at the cost of difficulties arising in one’s own family.’
Daksha in Danakhanda explains items which should never be given away as donation: ‘(1) Ordinary items owned by many, (2) that which is asked for, for personal use, (3) to give something the owner of the house without first showing them, (4) something which is pawned, (5) one’s wife, (6) one’s wife’s wealth, (7) something entrusted to you for giving to somebody else, (8) money which has been counted in the presence of the owner of the house or money given without being counted and (9) all of your wealth when you still have a family to support. These nine should never be donated by wise men, even in times of adversity.’
Similarly one should not give used items, unclean items, items given in vain, item derived from unlawful means, items not given freely or happily and items which are not much use to the person (a cow which is old for example) explain Shastras. Also one should not give precious metals or stones to Sanyasins as it could brew unrighteousness in such person. Such act is not only fruitless but is sinful and likely to consign a person to hell.
Thus concludes the additional duties of Grihastas. Additional duties of Kings are now given over the following two Shlokas.