[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.c43.39 # History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c43.39 History of Dharmaśāstra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c43.39 - **Language:** English ### [v3.c43.39](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v3.c43.39) Numerous rules are laid down about the things that can be the subject of gifts (i. e. about \*deya\*). Whatever is in this world a most desirable thing and what one prizes most in one's house may be given to a man endowed with good qualities by a donor who desires inexhaustible (merit) from it — Anuśāsana parva 59. 7.¹⁹⁹⁸ According to Devala, that is a proper subject for a gift, which has been acquired by the donor himself without causing pain or loss to another or without worry or trouble to himself, whether it be small or valuable (or much).¹⁹⁹⁹ It is not the extent of the gift that causes greater or lesser merit. Merit (\*puṇya\*) of gifts depends upon the mental attitude, the capacity of the giver and the way in which the donor acquired his wealth. If a man²⁰⁰⁰ were to give even the whole earth acquired by unjust means, or if he makes a gift without śraddhā (as defined) or to an unworthy person he would secure no prosperity (religious merit) thereby. On the other hand by making a gift of even a handful of vegetables with a heart full of śraddhā and to a very worthy person, he may secure all prosperity. If one possessing a thousand makes a gift of 100 or one having ten makes a gift of one and another gives only water according to his ability, they all reap an equal reward. - [Previous: v3.c43.38](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v3.c43.38) - [Next: v3.c43.40](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v3.c43.40) - [Up: v3.c43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v3.c43) ## Cites (2) - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa*vulgate.13.59.7) — Sanskrit - [Devalasmṛti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.upasmrti.devala) — Devala, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v3.c43.39](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v3.c43.39) · Pramāṇa