Dāna

Meaning

gift
A thing given willingly to someone without payment.
donation
Something that is given to a charity, especially a sum of money.

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Interpretation

“Gift,Donation(charity)” is charity. It is to be done selflessly and with humility. The player must be careful to not commit to charity with a feeling of attachment, ego, arrogance or pride.

The “reality of need” and “the desire to share” are both understood through this cell. Charity also helps to bring under control the developing ego.

The third row, the stage of the youth, is also the stage of organisations and institutions. It has a strong “social” under-current as karma is to be performed in a social context. Charity is one of the most important pillars on the plane of karma, and the force behind our highest institutionalised activities.The story of Mahābalī is very apt – Mahābalī, was a benevolent Asura King. He was the great great grandson of sage Kashyapa, great grandson of Hiranyakshipu, the grand son of Prahlada and son of Virochana. He was a beloved king and very kind to his subjects (identified with the current state of Kerala). The time under his rule was considered one of great prosperity and happiness.

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Story

Mahābalī grew up in the company of his grandfather Prahlāda. He was, therefore, virtuous and adept in warfare. He had full knowledge of the Vedas, and became the foremost among the Dānava warriors. Prahalād advised him to always balance punishment and forgiveness in his decisions and actions. He undertook great austerities and propiated Brahma, who gave him the boon of invincibility and immortality. Soon thereafter, he resolved to establish a righteous Dānava Empire and sought the advice of Rishi Shukrāchārya towards this end. Soon the whole of prithvi and pātāla were under his rule.

Mahābalī, humbly submitted the spoils of his conquests to his guru Shukrāchārya. The sage advised him that the wealth be distributed rightfully amongst the people of his kingdom and that he should rule justly and fairly keeping his kingdom and his people happy.

He, therefore, declared – “ O my subjects, your happiness is mine. There will be no room for poverty in Bali’s empire in the future. You need not go in search of Heaven, I shall make a Heaven of this earth. Giving charity will be my vow from today. I will give away in charity whatever is asked of me without denial from today”.

Mahābalī established an ideal state, providing enough food, shelter and necessary facilities to keeping his subjects happy. Peace and plenty prevailed everywhere. The Deva’s feeling threatened conspired against him, and sent Kalipurusha to create turmoil and revolt on earth.

Mahābalī, however, marched against Indra and soon was the lord of the 3 worlds; Prithvi, Pātāla and Swarga. He appointed a new Indra from one of his Dānavas and returned to his palace on Earth.

The removal of Deva’s from their abode as designated by the creator Vishnu was not a good decision. This action of Mahābalī revealed his pride and his partisan feelings. Indra, under the guidance of Aditi Devi convinced Vishnu to intervene, and Vishnu in the form of a Vāmana Brahmin approached Mahābalī.

It is said that Mahābalī recognised Vishnu in the form of the Brahmin, however, bound by his promise to give whatever is asked of him, he willingly agreed to the Lord’s request for 3 steps of land. This lead to his offering his own head as the 3rd step for Sri Vishnu to place his feet on, banishing him into Pātāla.

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On the gameboard

He was a beloved king and very kind to his subjects in the state of Kerala. The time under his rule was considered one of great prosperity and happiness. To appease his subjects who were distraught at his banishment, Mahābalī is allowed to return to Earth once every year on the auspicious festival of Onam.

The player, recalling the story of Mahābalī finds dāna (charity) between dayā(compassion / forgiveness) and naraka(punishment). Six places ahead is Cintā (worries), which Mahābalī had vowed to remove, for his subjects, through his dāna.

Dāna is a virtue that introduces the player to selflessness and love. Such karma, helps her vibrate to higher levels, and propels her to the next level climbing the 3rd ladder of the game.

The “reality of need” and “the desire to share” are both understood through this cell. Charity also helps to bring under control the developing ego. The third stage is also the stage of organisations and institutions. It has a strong “social” under-current as karma is to be performed in a social context. Charity is also one of the most important pillars on the plane of karma, and the force behind our highest institutionalised activities.

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