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Annadan (donating food),
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Vastradan (donating clothing)
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Patradan (donating
utensils)
As per Hindu philosophy, a generous person has a definite place
in Heaven. There is no compulsion or restrictions about these donations. In
good old days Kings used to donate land, cows, money, jewelry, diamonds, gems etc... Kunti's son
Karna is very famous for his generosity. He is known as "Danshur Karna"
and has become a yardstick of generosity.
Even today in India hospitality is well preserved.
If a guest visits a poor person who has only one bread to eat, he will offer
half of it to the guest.
Annadan, vastradan & patradan are indications of good virtues like
helping nature, kindness, willingness to sacrifice, sharing joy & resources,
care & respect for others.
Therefore, whenever any Dharmik Vidhi is
performed it is also customary to invite relatives, friends & well wishers to
attend such a function & offer them food and some memento (a gift like cloth,
utensils or any useful household item) as a token of love, affection &
remembrance.
Depending on the wish &
financial position of the host, "Punyakarma" by way of offering
food, bhetvastu (gift) & dakshina to one or two Bramhins, Savashna (Married
woman whose husband is alive), Munjas (Boys whose thread ceremony has been
performed), & Kumarikas (unmarried girls) makes the Host eligible for "moksha".
Annadan:
Annadan can be regular food (Dal, Bhat, Chapati,
Sabji etc...) or special food (Masale bhat, , one sweet dish.
Vastradan:
Vastradan consists
of Vastradan & Upvastradan. Depending on the financial position & wish, any of
the following silk/cotton/woolen items can be donated as Vastradan:
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Pant, Shirt,
T-Shirt, Zabba, Paijama, Bed sheet, Towel, Sweater etc...
Upvastradan
consists of any of the following items:
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Uparne, Napkin,
Handkerchief, pair of socks, small piece of white cloth etc...
Patradan:
Depending on the
financial position & wish, any of the following
gold/silver/brass/copper/stainless steel/plastic items can be considered for
patradan:
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Plate, bowl,
utensil, pot, glass, cup, box, spoon, any useful household item etc...
Social Work:
I would also like to advise &
suggest all the visitors of my website to give best possible donations to non
profit social organizations who relentlessly work for the betterment of mankind.
You can also consider adopting a
poor child in India & help him/her get education. A donation to the tune
of $10-15 per month can change the life of a poor child in India.
