[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India)](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930) › v3.c43.2 # History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c43.2 History of Dharmaśāstra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c43.2 - **Language:** English ### [v3.c43.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v3.c43.2) Manu (I. 86) and others state that in the four \*yugas\* (ages) viz. Kṛta, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali, the principal aspects of religious life were respectively \*tapas\*, metaphysical knowledge, sacrifices,¹⁹⁷³ and gifts. Manu (III. 78) eulogises the stage of householder as the most worthy because all men in the other āśramas are cherished and fed with (Vedic) knowledge (as a teacher of Vedic students) and with food by him. Yama specifies the characteristic features of the four āśramas as follows: ‘quiescence is the \*dharma\* of ascetics, cessation from taking ordinary food that of forest hermits, dāna (making gifts) that of householders and obedience (or service) that of brahmacārins.’ Vide Dakṣa 1. 12-13 also for the peculiar outward characteristics of the four āśramas. Therefore the subject of \*dāna\* (gifts or charity) will now engage our attention. - [Previous: v3.c42.65](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v3.c42.65) - [Next: v3.c43.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v3.c43.3) - [Up: v3.c43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v3.c43) ## Linked texts (2) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu.1.86) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit - [Dakṣasmṛti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.upasmrti.daksa) — Dakṣa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v3.c43.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v3.c43.2) · Pramāṇa