[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c5.136 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.136 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c5.136 - **Language:** English ### [c5.136](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c5.136) DĀNAM. Gift. In ancient India a spiritual significance was attached to dānam. (offering of a free gift). One who gave water was said to achieve contentment; one who gave food, eternal happiness; one who gave land, government of the country; one who gave gold would attain longevity; one who gave a house would get domestic felicity; one who gave silver would get physical beauty; one who gave clothes would reach candraloka; one who gave a horse would attain the world of the Aśvinīdevas; one who gave bulls would get prosperity; one who gave cows would reach sūryaloka; according to Manusmṛti. - [Previous: c5.135](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c5.135) - [Next: c5.137](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c5.137) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c5) ## Linked texts (1) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c5.136](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c5.136) · Pramāṇa