The Examination of Worthy and Unworthy Recipients and the Rules of Giving

Verse 1 (skanda.5.205.1)

उत्तानपाद उवाच। द्विजाश्च कीदृशाः पूज्या अपूज्याः कीदृशाः स्मृताः। श्राद्धे वैवाहिके कार्ये दाने चैव विशेषतः

uttānapāda uvāca| dvijāśca kīdṛśāḥ pūjyā apūjyāḥ kīdṛśāḥ smṛtāḥ| śrāddhe vaivāhike kārye dāne caiva viśeṣataḥ

Uttanapada said: What kind of brahmins are considered worthy of worship, and what kind unworthy, especially in shraddha rites, marriage ceremonies, and acts of giving?

Verse 2 (skanda.5.205.2)

यदि श्रद्धा भवेद्दैवयोगाच्छ्राद्धादिके विधौ। एतदाख्याहि मे देव कस्य दानं न दीयते

yadi śraddhā bhaveddaivayogācchrāddhādike vidhau| etadākhyāhi me deva kasya dānaṁ na dīyate

If, through the working of fate, faith arises in the performance of shraddha and similar rites — O god, tell me this: to whom should a gift not be given?

Verse 3 (skanda.5.205.3)

ईश्वर उवाच। यथा काष्ठमयो हस्ती यथा चर्ममयो मृगः। ब्राह्मणश्चानधीयानस्त्रयस्ते नामधारकाः

īśvara uvāca| yathā kāṣṭhamayo hastī yathā carmamayo mṛgaḥ| brāhmaṇaścānadhīyānastrayaste nāmadhārakāḥ

Ishvara said: Just as a wooden elephant, just as a leather deer, so too a brahmin who has not studied — these three bear the name alone, in name only.

Verse 4 (skanda.5.205.4)

यथा षण्ढोऽफलः स्त्रीषु यथा गौर्गवि चाफला। यथा चाज्ञेऽफलं दानं तथा विप्रोऽनृचोऽफलः

yathā ṣaṇḍho'phalaḥ strīṣu yathā gaurgavi cāphalā| yathā cājñe'phalaṁ dānaṁ tathā vipro'nṛco'phalaḥ

Just as a eunuch is fruitless among women, just as a barren cow is fruitless among cattle, just as a gift is fruitless when given to an ignorant one, so too is a brahmin without Vedic verses fruitless.

Verse 5 (skanda.5.205.5)

यथाऽनृणे बीजमुप्त्वा वप्ता न लभते फलम्। तथानृचे हविर्दत्त्वा न दाता लभते फलम्

yathā'nṛṇe bījamuptvā vaptā na labhate phalam| tathānṛce havirdattvā na dātā labhate phalam

Just as one who sows seed in barren ground obtains no fruit, so too the giver who offers oblation to one without Vedic verses obtains no fruit.

Verse 6 (skanda.5.205.6)

रोगी हीनातिरिक्ताङ्गः काणः पौनर्भवस्तथा। अवकीर्णी श्यावदन्तः सर्वाशी वृषलीपतिः

rogī hīnātiriktāṅgaḥ kāṇaḥ paunarbhavastathā| avakīrṇī śyāvadantaḥ sarvāśī vṛṣalīpatiḥ

The diseased, one with deficient or excessive limbs, the one-eyed, the son of a remarried woman, one who has broken his vow of celibacy, one with blackened teeth, an indiscriminate eater, and the husband of a shudra woman —

Verse 7 (skanda.5.205.7)

मित्रध्रुक्पिशुनः सोमविक्रयी परनिन्दकः। पितृमातृगुरुत्यागी नित्यं ब्राह्मणनिन्दकः

mitradhrukpiśunaḥ somavikrayī paranindakaḥ| pitṛmātṛgurutyāgī nityaṁ brāhmaṇanindakaḥ

A betrayer of friends, a backbiter, a seller of soma, a slanderer of others, one who abandons parents and teacher, and one who continually reviles brahmins —

Verse 8 (skanda.5.205.8)

शूद्रान्नं मन्त्रसंयुक्तं यो विप्रो भक्षयेन्नृप। सोऽस्पृश्यः कर्मचाण्डालः स्पृष्ट्वा स्नानं समाचरेत्

śūdrānnaṁ mantrasaṁyuktaṁ yo vipro bhakṣayennṛpa| so'spṛśyaḥ karmacāṇḍālaḥ spṛṣṭvā snānaṁ samācaret

O king, whatever brahmin eats mantra-consecrated food from a shudra becomes, by that act, an untouchable outcaste; one who touches him should thereupon bathe.

Verse 9 (skanda.5.205.9)

कुनखी वृषली स्तेयी वार्द्धुष्यः कुण्डगोलकौ। महादानरतो यश्च यश्चात्महनने रतः

kunakhī vṛṣalī steyī vārddhuṣyaḥ kuṇḍagolakau| mahādānarato yaśca yaścātmahanane rataḥ

One with deformed nails, one who consorts with shudra women, a thief, a usurer, the illegitimate sons known as Kunda and Golaka, one devoted to accepting great gifts, and one inclined toward self-harm —

Verse 10 (skanda.5.205.10)

भृतकाध्यापकः क्लीबः कन्यादूष्यभिशस्तकः। एते विप्राः सदा त्याज्याः परिभाव्य प्रयत्नतः

bhṛtakādhyāpakaḥ klībaḥ kanyādūṣyabhiśastakaḥ| ete viprāḥ sadā tyājyāḥ paribhāvya prayatnataḥ

One who teaches for wages, the impotent, and one condemned for defiling a maiden — these brahmins, upon careful consideration, should always be avoided.

Verse 11 (skanda.5.205.11)

प्रतिग्रहं गृहीत्वा तु वाणिज्यं यस्तु कारयेत्। तस्य दानं न दातव्यं वृथा भवति तस्य तत्

pratigrahaṁ gṛhītvā tu vāṇijyaṁ yastu kārayet| tasya dānaṁ na dātavyaṁ vṛthā bhavati tasya tat

Whoever, having accepted gifts, engages in trade — a gift should not be given to him; whatever is given to him becomes fruitless.

Verse 12 (skanda.5.205.12)

श्रुताध्ययनसम्पन्ना ये द्विजा वृत्ततत्पराः। तेषां यद्दीयते दानं सर्वमक्षयतां व्रजेत्

śrutādhyayanasampannā ye dvijā vṛttatatparāḥ| teṣāṁ yaddīyate dānaṁ sarvamakṣayatāṁ vrajet

Those twice-born who are accomplished in scriptural study and devoted to good conduct — whatever gift is given to them becomes wholly imperishable.

Verse 13 (skanda.5.205.13)

दरिद्रान्भर भूपाल मा समृद्धान् कदाचन। व्याधितस्यौषधं पथ्यं नीरुजस्य किमौषधैः

daridrānbhara bhūpāla mā samṛddhān kadācana| vyādhitasyauṣadhaṁ pathyaṁ nīrujasya kimauṣadhaiḥ

O king, sustain the poor, never the prosperous; medicine is beneficial for the sick — what use has the healthy for medicine?

Verse 14 (skanda.5.205.14)

उत्तानपाद उवाच। कीदृशोऽथ विधिस्तत्र तीर्थश्राद्धस्य का क्रिया। दानं च दीयते यद्वत्तन्ममाख्याहि शङ्कर

uttānapāda uvāca| kīdṛśo'tha vidhistatra tīrthaśrāddhasya kā kriyā| dānaṁ ca dīyate yadvattanmamākhyāhi śaṅkara

Uttanapada said: O Shankara, what is the rite and procedure for the shraddha at that tirtha, and in what manner is a gift given there? Tell me this.

Verse 15 (skanda.5.205.15)

ईश्वर उवाच। श्राद्धं कृत्वा गृहे भक्त्या शुचिश्चापि जितेन्द्रियः। गुरुं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य भोज्य सीमान्तके ततः

īśvara uvāca| śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā gṛhe bhaktyā śuciścāpi jitendriyaḥ| guruṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya bhojya sīmāntake tataḥ

Ishvara said: Having performed the shraddha at home with devotion, pure and self-controlled, having circumambulated the guru, and then having offered a meal at the boundary,

Verse 16 (skanda.5.205.16)

वाग्यतः प्रव्रजेत्तावद्यावत्सीमां न लङ्घयेत्। शूलभेदं ततो गत्वा स्नानं कुर्याद्यथाविधि

vāgyataḥ pravrajettāvadyāvatsīmāṁ na laṅghayet| śūlabhedaṁ tato gatvā snānaṁ kuryādyathāvidhi

one should proceed keeping silent speech, until the boundary is crossed; then, having reached Shulabheda, one should bathe according to the proper rite.

Verse 17 (skanda.5.205.17)

पञ्चस्थानेषु च श्राद्धं हव्यकव्यादिभिः क्रमात्। पिण्डदानं च यः कुर्यात्पायसैर्मधुसर्पिषा

pañcasthāneṣu ca śrāddhaṁ havyakavyādibhiḥ kramāt| piṇḍadānaṁ ca yaḥ kuryātpāyasairmadhusarpiṣā

At the five sites, one should perform the shraddha in sequence with oblations to gods and ancestors. Whoever performs the pinda-offering with rice-pudding, honey, and ghee,

Verse 18 (skanda.5.205.18)

पितरस्तस्य तृप्यन्ति द्वादशाब्दानि पञ्च च। अक्षतैर्बदरैर्बिल्वैर्गुदमधुसर्पिषा

pitarastasya tṛpyanti dvādaśābdāni pañca ca| akṣatairbadarairbilvairgudamadhusarpiṣā

his ancestors remain satisfied for seventeen years. With unbroken rice, jujube, bilva fruit, jaggery, honey, and ghee,

Verse 19 (skanda.5.205.19)

सापि तत्फलमाप्नोति तीर्थेऽस्मिन्नात्र संशयः। उपानहौ च यो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रयत्नतः

sāpi tatphalamāpnoti tīrthe'sminnātra saṁśayaḥ| upānahau ca yo dadyādbrāhmaṇebhyaḥ prayatnataḥ

this too obtains that same fruit at this tirtha, without doubt. Whoever diligently gives sandals to brahmins,

Verse 20 (skanda.5.205.20)

सोऽपि स्वर्गमवाप्नोति हयारूढो न संशयः। शय्यामश्वं च यो दद्याच्छत्त्रिकां वा विशेषतः

so'pi svargamavāpnoti hayārūḍho na saṁśayaḥ| śayyāmaśvaṁ ca yo dadyācchattrikāṁ vā viśeṣataḥ

he too attains heaven, mounted upon a horse, without doubt. Whoever gives a bed, a horse, or especially a parasol,

Verse 21 (skanda.5.205.21)

गच्छेद्विमानमारूढः सोऽप्सरोवृन्दवेष्टितः। उत्तमं यो गृहं दद्यात्सप्तधान्यसमन्वितम्

gacchedvimānamārūḍhaḥ so'psarovṛndaveṣṭitaḥ| uttamaṁ yo gṛhaṁ dadyātsaptadhānyasamanvitam

he goes forth mounted upon a celestial chariot, surrounded by hosts of apsaras. Whoever gives an excellent house furnished with the seven grains,

Verse 22 (skanda.5.205.22)

स्वेच्छया मे वसेल्लोके काञ्चने भवने हि सः। तिलधेनुं च यो दद्यात्सवत्सां वस्त्रसंप्लुताम्

svecchayā me vaselloke kāñcane bhavane hi saḥ| tiladhenuṁ ca yo dadyātsavatsāṁ vastrasamplutām

he dwells at will in my world, in a golden mansion. Whoever gives a sesame-cow together with its calf, draped in cloth,

Verse 23 (skanda.5.205.23)

नाकपृष्ठे वसेत्तावद्यावदाभूतसम्प्लवम्। गृहे वा यदि वारण्ये तीर्थवर्त्मनि वा नृप

nākapṛṣṭhe vasettāvadyāvadābhūtasamplavam| gṛhe vā yadi vāraṇye tīrthavartmani vā nṛpa

he dwells in the heavenly realm until the dissolution of the universe. O king, whether at home, in the forest, or on the pilgrim's road,

Verse 24 (skanda.5.205.24)

तोयमन्नं च यो दद्याद्यमलोकं स नेक्षते। सर्वदानानि दीयन्ते तेषां फलमवाप्यते

toyamannaṁ ca yo dadyādyamalokaṁ sa nekṣate| sarvadānāni dīyante teṣāṁ phalamavāpyate

whoever gives water and food does not behold the world of Yama. Whatever gifts of every kind are given, their fruits are obtained here.

Verse 25 (skanda.5.205.25)

उदकं चात्र दानं च दद्यादभयमेव च। अन्नदानात्परं दानं न भूतं न भविष्यति

udakaṁ cātra dānaṁ ca dadyādabhayameva ca| annadānātparaṁ dānaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati

Here one should give the gift of water, and also the gift of safety from fear. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a gift greater than the gift of food.

Verse 26 (skanda.5.205.26)

कन्यादानं तु यः कुर्याद्वृषं वा यः समुत्सृजेत्। तस्य वासो भवेत्तत्र यत्राहमिति नान्यथा

kanyādānaṁ tu yaḥ kuryādvṛṣaṁ vā yaḥ samutsṛjet| tasya vāso bhavettatra yatrāhamiti nānyathā

Whoever gives a maiden in marriage, or whoever releases a bull, his dwelling shall be right where I myself am — nowhere else.

Verse 27 (skanda.5.205.27)

उत्तानपाद उवाच। कन्यादानं कथं स्वामिन् कर्तव्यं धार्मिकैः सदा। परिग्रहो यथा पोष्यः कन्योद्वाहस्तथैव च

uttānapāda uvāca| kanyādānaṁ kathaṁ svāmin kartavyaṁ dhārmikaiḥ sadā| parigraho yathā poṣyaḥ kanyodvāhastathaiva ca

Uttanapada said: O lord, how should the righteous always perform the gift of a maiden in marriage, and, just as one must nurture one's family, how should a daughter's marriage be conducted?

Verse 28 (skanda.5.205.28)

अन्यत्पृच्छामि देवेश कस्य कन्या न दीयते। दातव्यं कुत्र तद्देव कस्मै दत्तमथाक्षयम्

anyatpṛcchāmi deveśa kasya kanyā na dīyate| dātavyaṁ kutra taddeva kasmai dattamathākṣayam

O lord of gods, I ask another question: to whom should a maiden not be given? O god, to whom should she be given, and given to whom does it become imperishable?

Verse 29 (skanda.5.205.29)

उत्तमं मध्यमं वापि कनीयः स्यात्कथं विभो। राजसं तामसं वापि निःश्रेयसमथापि वा

uttamaṁ madhyamaṁ vāpi kanīyaḥ syātkathaṁ vibho| rājasaṁ tāmasaṁ vāpi niḥśreyasamathāpi vā

O lord, how might it be of the highest, middling, or lowest kind? And how might it be of the nature of rajas, tamas, or leading to the highest good?

Verse 30 (skanda.5.205.30)

ईश्वर उवाच। सर्वेषामेव दानानां कन्यादानं विशिष्यते। यो दद्यात्परया भक्त्याभिगम्य तनयां निजाम्

īśvara uvāca| sarveṣāmeva dānānāṁ kanyādānaṁ viśiṣyate| yo dadyātparayā bhaktyābhigamya tanayāṁ nijām

Ishvara said: Among all gifts, the gift of a maiden in marriage is most distinguished. Whoever, going in person, with supreme devotion, gives his own daughter,

Verse 31 (skanda.5.205.31)

कुलीनाय सुरूपाय गुणज्ञाय मनीषिणे। सुलग्ने सुमुहूर्ते च दद्यात्कन्यामलंकृताम्

kulīnāya surūpāya guṇajñāya manīṣiṇe| sulagne sumuhūrte ca dadyātkanyāmalaṁkṛtām

to a groom of good family, handsome, appreciative of virtue, and wise, at an auspicious ascendant and hour, and gives the maiden adorned,

Verse 32 (skanda.5.205.32)

अश्वान्ना गांश्च वासांसि योऽत्र दद्यात्स्वशक्तितः। तस्य वासो भवेत्तत्र पदं यत्र निरामयम्

aśvānnā gāṁśca vāsāṁsi yo'tra dadyātsvaśaktitaḥ| tasya vāso bhavettatra padaṁ yatra nirāmayam

whoever, according to his means, also gives horses, grain, cows, and garments — his dwelling shall be in that place free of all affliction.

Verse 33 (skanda.5.205.33)

येनात्र दुहिता दत्ता प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी। तेन सर्वमिदं दत्तं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्

yenātra duhitā dattā prāṇebhyo'pi garīyasī| tena sarvamidaṁ dattaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram

Whoever here gives his daughter, dearer even than his own life, has thereby given, as it were, this entire three-fold world, moving and unmoving.

Verse 34 (skanda.5.205.34)

यः कन्यार्थं ततो लब्ध्वा भिक्षते चैव तद्धनम्। स भवेत्कर्मचण्डालः काष्ठकीलो भवेन्मृतः

yaḥ kanyārthaṁ tato labdhvā bhikṣate caiva taddhanam| sa bhavetkarmacaṇḍālaḥ kāṣṭhakīlo bhavenmṛtaḥ

Whoever, having received wealth in exchange for his daughter, demands such payment, becomes, by that act, an outcaste, and after death becomes a wooden peg.

Verse 35 (skanda.5.205.35)

गृहेऽपि तस्य योऽश्नीयाज्जिह्वालौल्यात्कथंचन। चान्द्रायणेन शुध्येत तप्तकृच्छ्रेण वा पुनः

gṛhe'pi tasya yo'śnīyājjihvālaulyātkathaṁcana| cāndrāyaṇena śudhyeta taptakṛcchreṇa vā punaḥ

Whoever, out of mere gluttony, eats food at his house in any way, becomes purified through the Chandrayana observance, or again through the Taptakrichchhra penance.

Verse 36 (skanda.5.205.36)

उत्तानपाद उवाच। वित्तं न विद्यते यस्य कन्यैवास्ति च यद्गृहे। कथं चोद्वाहनं तस्य न याञ्चां कुरुते यदि

uttānapāda uvāca| vittaṁ na vidyate yasya kanyaivāsti ca yadgṛhe| kathaṁ codvāhanaṁ tasya na yāñcāṁ kurute yadi

Uttanapada said: Whoever possesses no wealth, and has only a daughter in his house — if he does not solicit anything, how then should her marriage be arranged?

Verse 37 (skanda.5.205.37)

ईश्वर उवाच। अवितेनैव कर्तव्यं कन्योद्वहनकं नृप। कन्यानाम समुच्चार्य न दोषाय कदाचन

īśvara uvāca| avitenaiva kartavyaṁ kanyodvahanakaṁ nṛpa| kanyānāma samuccārya na doṣāya kadācana

Ishvara said: O king, the marriage of a daughter should be conducted even without wealth; merely mentioning the need to support a daughter is never a fault.

Verse 38 (skanda.5.205.38)

अभिगम्योत्तमं दानं यच्च दानमयाचितम्। भविष्यति युगस्यान्तस्तस्यान्तो नैव विद्यते

abhigamyottamaṁ dānaṁ yacca dānamayācitam| bhaviṣyati yugasyāntastasyānto naiva vidyate

The best gift is one given by approaching in person, and a gift given without being asked for; its end does not come even at the end of the age.

Verse 39 (skanda.5.205.39)

अभिगम्योत्तमं दानं स्मृतमाहूय मध्यमम्। याच्यमानं कनीयः स्याद्देहि देहीति चाधमम्

abhigamyottamaṁ dānaṁ smṛtamāhūya madhyamam| yācyamānaṁ kanīyaḥ syāddehi dehīti cādhamam

A gift given by approaching in person is called the best; one given after summoning is middling; one given when solicited is lowest; and one given only after being begged, 'Give, give,' is the worst of all.

Verse 40 (skanda.5.205.40)

यथैवाश्माश्मनाबद्धो निक्षिप्तो वारिमध्यतः। द्वावेतौ निधनं यातस्तद्वदन्नमपात्रके

yathaivāśmāśmanābaddho nikṣipto vārimadhyataḥ| dvāvetau nidhanaṁ yātastadvadannamapātrake

Just as a stone bound to another stone and thrown into water — both sink and are lost — so too is food given to an unworthy recipient.

Verse 41 (skanda.5.205.41)

असमर्थे ततो दानं न प्रदेयं कदाचन। दातारं नयतेऽधस्तादात्मानं च विशेषतः

asamarthe tato dānaṁ na pradeyaṁ kadācana| dātāraṁ nayate'dhastādātmānaṁ ca viśeṣataḥ

Therefore, a gift should never be given to one who is incapable of receiving it worthily; it drags down both the giver and, especially, the recipient himself.

Verse 42 (skanda.5.205.42)

समर्थस्तारयेद्द्वौ तु काष्ठं शुष्कं यथा जले। यथा नौश्च तथा विद्वान्प्रापयेदपरं तटम्

samarthastārayeddvau tu kāṣṭhaṁ śuṣkaṁ yathā jale| yathā nauśca tathā vidvānprāpayedaparaṁ taṭam

A capable one ferries both across, just as dry wood floats in water; just as a boat carries one over, so too does the learned one bring one to the further shore.

Verse 43 (skanda.5.205.43)

आहिताग्निश्च गृह्णाति यः शूद्राणां प्रतिग्रहम्। इह जन्मनि शूद्रोऽसौ मृतः श्वा चोपजायते

āhitāgniśca gṛhṇāti yaḥ śūdrāṇāṁ pratigraham| iha janmani śūdro'sau mṛtaḥ śvā copajāyate

Whoever, though a maintainer of the sacred fire, accepts gifts from shudras, becomes a shudra in this very life, and after death is reborn as a dog.

Verse 44 (skanda.5.205.44)

वृथा क्लेशश्च जायेत ब्राह्मणे ह्यग्निहोत्रिणि। असत्प्रतिग्रहं कुर्वन्गुप्तं नीचस्य गर्हितम्

vṛthā kleśaśca jāyeta brāhmaṇe hyagnihotriṇi| asatpratigrahaṁ kurvanguptaṁ nīcasya garhitam

Even for a brahmin who maintains the sacred fire, needless suffering arises, if he secretly accepts the improper, reprehensible gift of a lowly person.

Verse 45 (skanda.5.205.45)

अभोज्यः स भवेन्मर्त्यो दह्यते कारिषाग्निना। कटकारो भवेत्पश्चात्सप्त जन्म न संशयः

abhojyaḥ sa bhavenmartyo dahyate kāriṣāgninā| kaṭakāro bhavetpaścātsapta janma na saṁśayaḥ

That mortal becomes unfit to be fed, and is burned by dung-cake fire; thereafter, for seven lifetimes, he becomes a maker of mats, without doubt.

Verse 46 (skanda.5.205.46)

लज्जादाक्षिण्यलोभाच्च यद्दानं चोपरोधजम्। भृत्येभ्यश्च तु यद्दानं तद्वृथा निष्फलं भवेत्

lajjādākṣiṇyalobhācca yaddānaṁ coparodhajam| bhṛtyebhyaśca tu yaddānaṁ tadvṛthā niṣphalaṁ bhavet

A gift given out of embarrassment, mere courtesy, or greed, a gift given under compulsion, and a gift given to one's own servants — all these become futile and fruitless.