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
Devem-se fazer grandes doações (mahādāna) e também oferecer diversas espécies de gemas. E, mês a mês, deve-se doar a medida de dois ou três māṣakas.
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.