Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 27
Dānādi-māhātmya — The Glory of Gifts, Manuscript-Donation, and Purāṇic Transmission
महादानानि देयानि रत्नानि विविधानि च मासकौ द्वौ त्रयश् चैव मासे मासे प्रदापयेत्
mahādānāni deyāni ratnāni vividhāni ca māsakau dvau trayaś caiva māse māse pradāpayet
മഹാദാനങ്ങൾ നൽകുകയും വിവിധ രത്നങ്ങളും ദാനം ചെയ്യുകയും വേണം. കൂടാതെ ഓരോ മാസവും രണ്ട് അല്ലെങ്കിൽ മൂന്ന് മാഷക (നിശ്ചിത അളവ്) ദാനം നൽകണം.
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Planning a sustainable charity regimen: periodic mahā-dāna and gem-gifts, plus a fixed monthly micro-donation (māṣaka measure) to maintain continuous merit and disciplined giving.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mahā-dāna, ratna-dāna, and monthly māṣaka-dāna","lookup_keywords":["mahā-dāna","ratna-dāna","māṣaka","māse māse","dāna-niyama"],"quick_summary":"Give major gifts and assorted gems, and also establish a monthly practice of donating a measured amount (two or three māṣakas) for regularized merit."}
Concept: Dāna is both occasional (mahā-dāna) and habitual (monthly measured giving); continuity of virtue is cultivated through routine.
Application: Set a monthly donation budget (small fixed amount) alongside occasional larger gifts; treat giving as a vow-like discipline.
Khanda Section: Dāna-vidhi (Charity, Gifts, and Religious Merit)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A donor presents a tray of gems and coins; a ledger-like monthly donation is shown as two or three māṣakas given each month, alongside occasional grand gifts.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, donor with gem tray (ratna) and small coin measures (māṣaka) offered to a seated brāhmaṇa, stylized calendar motif in border, warm ochres and reds","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate offering scene with gold-highlighted gems and coins, donor in devotional posture, priest receiving in a golden bowl, rich textile patterns","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional tableau: measuring māṣakas on a small scale, monthly cycle indicated by twelve small medallions, clear depiction of ratna varieties","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, merchant-donor in a courtyard presenting jewels and coin measures, meticulous rendering of gemstones, attendants recording monthly disbursements"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caiva = ca + eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 271 (dāna-vidhi sequence)
FAQs
It prescribes a regulated practice of dāna: offering major gifts and assorted gems, with a recurring monthly donation measured as two or three māṣakas.
It records practical dharma-protocols—types of gifts and measurable periodic giving—showing the text’s coverage of social-religious law (dāna-dharma) alongside other sciences and rituals.
Regular, measured charity (especially valuable gifts like gems) is presented as a means to accumulate puṇya (religious merit) through disciplined, month-by-month generosity.