The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c10.s2.48

v1.c10.s2.48

The theory that religious charity (*dānam*) is the best way to earn divine favour was at this time in the ascendancy; this belief was of great assistance to a number of religious and socio-religious causes, for under its influence many rich persons used to come forward to build temples, finance schools, excavate wells and tanks, and endow free feeding-houses. It is interesting to note that a great number of the donations specially intended for the above purposes were given on occasions recommended as auspicious by the *Purāṇas*.¹ The cult of pilgrimage was also becoming popular and the cow was universally revered as a sacred animal.²