Parvata Dāna

Parvata Dāna, “the gift of mountains”

The Parvata Dāna is the gift of a mountain built of a holy substance. The Matsya Purāṇa (Chapters 82 to 91) teaches ten of these dānas. Each mountain is built from one holy substance: grain, salt, jaggery, gold, sesame, cotton, ghee, gems, silver or sugar. It is given to a brāhmaṇa ācārya (teacher) after a night vigil, in the morning.

Bhagavān Śiva taught the ten dānas to Nārada. They can be given on the ayana days, eclipses, Amāvāsyā, Pūrṇimā and other holy days, as listed below.

The Agni Purāṇa (Chapters 210 and 212) teaches the same gift as the Meru-dāna, told by Agni Deva to Vasishṭha Maharshi. It names ten Merus with their measures, and then twelve kinds of Meru-dāna, which give both enjoyment and moksha: the Meru of gems given on Kārttika pūrṇimā in the Meru-vrata, the great Meru of gold, and Merus of silver, land, elephants, horses, cows, cloth, ghee, sugar candy, grain and sesame. Each Meru stands on a lotus of twelve petals with twelve mountains around it, and is given to a brāhmaṇa before Bhagavān Vishṇu, with Brahmā, Vishṇu and Maheśvara worshipped on its peaks. The giver uplifts his whole family line and roams in a vimāna through Indraloka, Brahmaloka, Śivaloka and Śrī Vaikuṇṭha.

The question of Nārada

Nārada asked Parameśvara for the most excellent dāna. He wanted one that gives akshaya phala (fruit that never ends) in the next world, and that devatās and deva-ṛshis praise. Bhagavān Śiva answered that the ten-fold Meru-parvata dāna is greater than the fruit of studying all the Purāṇas and Vedas, or of doing the yajñas they prescribe. (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 82)

When and where it is given

Occasions:

Places:

  • Tīrthas
  • Places where cows stand
  • The forecourt of one’s home
  • Forests

(Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 82)

The common procedure

The maṇḍapa (pavilion) is built on ground that slopes to the east or north, and it faces east or north. The floor is smeared with gomaya (cow dung).

The central Meru mountain is built from three quarters of the whole substance. The remaining quarter is divided into four Vishkambha mountains in the four directions: Mandara, Gandhamādana, Vipula and Supārśva.

Decorations on all the mountains

  • Gold peaks, and peaks tipped with gems at the four directions
  • Gold pratimās (images) of Brahmā, Vishṇu, Rudra and the sura-siddha-gaṇas on the summit
  • Silver pratimās of the dikpālakas (guardians of the directions) at the eight directions
  • Coral tendrils and a floor of pearl-shell
  • Coloured cloths as cloud-banners: white in the east, green in the south, mixed in the west and red in the north
  • Waterfalls and mountain springs of ghee and honey, and caves of sugarcane stalks
  • Auspicious fruits, flower garlands, and a five-coloured canopy (cāndanī) above

The homa

A homa is made in a kuṇḍa (fire pit) to the east of the maṇḍapa. Four qualified brāhmaṇas who know the Veda perform it, using sesame, yava (barley) and ghee.

The night vigil

The whole night is spent in jāgaraṇa (keeping awake), with gentle, sweet instrumental music. The mountains are invoked (āvāhana) with the proper mantras, which praise the universal divinity that dwells in them.

The dāna in the morning

At dawn the central Meru mountain is given to the guru or purohita. The four Vishkambha mountains are given to four ṛtviks (priests). Kāpilā cows are also given: 24, 10, 8, 7 or 5, according to the giver’s means. The guru always receives at least one.

The yajamāna (the one who gives) keeps upavāsa (a fast) on the day of the vrata. Those without strength may eat at night (nakta). (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 82)

The ten Parvata Dānas

1. Dhānya Parvata (Chapter 82)

This mountain is made of grain: 1,000, 500 or 300 tūmus. The central Meru peak is of gold. The four subsidiary peaks are of:

  • pearls and diamonds (east)
  • gomeda and pushparāga (south)
  • garuḍa-pacca and indranīla (west)
  • vaidūrya and padmarāga (north)

The four Vishkambha mountains are:

  • Mandara (east), with a pratimā of Rudra
  • Gandhamādana (south), with a pratimā of Kubera and a ghee-lake named Mānasa
  • Vipula (west), with an aśvattha tree and a silver forest
  • Supārśva (north), with a gold cow and a lake of honey

Dāna mantra. “Grain is Brahmā. Grain is prāṇa (life-breath). Grain is the cause of all births and of their support. Lakshmī and Janārdana dwell in grain. O Mountain King, in the form of the grain mountain, protect us.”

Phala. The giver spends one hundred full manvantaras in deva-loka. He rides a divine vimāna (aerial car) with apsarases and gandharvas. When the karma he has gathered is spent, he is born again at the start of the kalpa as a rāja-rāja (king of kings). (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 82)

2. Lavaṇa Parvata (Chapter 83)

This mountain is made of salt: at least 16, 8 or 4 droṇas. Even a single droṇa is allowed for one who is not able to give more. All the usual decorations and rites apply.

Dāna mantra. “O salt mountain, salt is full of the sweet taste of good fortune (saubhāgya). Without the taste of salt no other taste shines. Salt is dear to Pārvatī and Parameśvara. It arose from the body of Vishṇu and gives health (ārogya). Protect me from the ocean of saṃsāra (birth and death).”

Phala. The giver lives in Umā-loka for a full kalpa, and after that reaches the best destiny. (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 83)

3. Guḍa Parvata (Chapter 84)

This mountain is made of jaggery: 10, 5 or 3 bāruvas. For the poor, even 1½ bāruvas is enough. The decorations and the rites are the same as for the grain mountain.

Dāna mantra. “Among the devatās Janārdana is supreme. Among the Vedas the Praṇava is supreme. Among women Pārvatī is supreme. In the same way, among tastes the juice of sugarcane is supreme. O jaggery mountain, you are the home of Pārvatī. Protect me always and give me auspicious Lakshmī.”

Phala. The gandharvas praise the giver. He lives in Gaurī-loka for 100 kalpas. Then at the start of the next kalpa he is born again as a saptadvīpādhipati (lord of the seven dvīpas), with long life, health and victory over his enemies. (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 84)

4. Suvarṇa Parvata (Chapter 85)

This mountain is made of gold: 1,000 or 500 pala, and not less than one pala. The rites are the same as for the grain mountain in every way.

Dāna mantra. “O gold mountain, you are the very form of the knowledge of Brahmā. You are the seed of Brahmā. You give fruit without end. You are the child of Agni. You are a part of Paramātman. In the form of the gold mountain, protect me.”

Phala. The giver reaches the blissful Brahma-loka and lives there for 100 kalpas. At the end he reaches moksha. (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 85)

5. Tila Parvata (Chapter 86)

This mountain is made of sesame: 10, 5 or 3 droṇas. Everything else is the same.

Where tila came from. When Mahāvishṇu killed the asura Madhu, tila (sesame), kuśa grass and black gram (minumulu) arose from Madhu’s body. So tila are sacred to Vishṇu, and are used in every homa and in all pitṛ-karma (rites for the ancestors).

Dāna mantra. “May the tila that arose from the body of Madhu give me peace (śānti). Tila protect in all havya-kavya (offerings to the devas and the pitṛs). O sesame mountain, carry me across saṃsāra.”

Phala. The giver reaches Vishṇu-loka, from which there is no return. In this world he has long life and sons. In svarga the pitṛs, devatās and gandharvas honour him. (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 86)

6. Kārpāsa Parvata (Chapter 87)

This mountain is made of cotton (dūdi): 10, 5 or 1 bāruva. Even one bāruva is enough for the poor. All details are the same as for the grain mountain.

Dāna mantra. “O cotton mountain, you are the means of covering all beings in all the worlds, as cloth covers the body. My salutations to you. Remove my pāpa.”

Phala. The giver lives in Rudraloka for a full kalpa. Then at the start of the next kalpa he is born again as a king. (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 87)

7. Ghṛta Parvata (Chapter 88)

This mountain is made of ghee: 20, 10 or 5 kalaśas (pots), or at least 2 kalaśas. One quarter of the ghee forms the Vishkambha mountains. Kalaśas of white rice are placed on top of the ghee-kalaśas. The mountain is covered with white cloth, sugarcane and fruits.

Dāna mantra. “Ghee arose from the joining of amṛta and teja (radiance). So may Śaṅkara be pleased with this vrata. He is the form of amṛta, his rays are the light of ghee, and he is the form of the whole world. The truth of Brahmā (brahma-tattva) dwells in ghee. O ghee mountain, protect me always.”

Phala. Even those who have done great pāpa are freed. The giver climbs into a vimāna carried by haṃsas and bhegguras (white herons). The vimāna is decorated with gem anklets and flower garlands, and apsarases, siddhas and vidyādharas go with it. He lives in Śaṅkara-loka for a full kalpa. (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 88)

8. Ratna Parvata (Chapter 89)

This mountain is made of gems: 1,000, 500 or 300 pala of muktās (pearls). The four Vishkambha mountains each have their own gems:

  • Mandara (east): vajra (diamonds) and gomeda
  • Gandhamādana (south): indranīla and padmarāga
  • Vipula (west): vaidūrya and pagaḍa (coral)
  • Supārśva (north): padmarāga and garuḍa-pacca (emerald)

All other decorations, rites and mantras are the same as for the grain mountain.

Dāna mantra. “All the devatās dwell in all gems. O gem mountain, protect me always. As Indra sent rain when he was pleased with offerings of food (anna-havis), so may Hari shower my wishes when he is pleased with this gift of gems.”

Phala. The giver goes to Vishṇu-loka, where even Devendra honours him. He lives there for 100 full kalpas. At the start of a kalpa he returns as a saptadvīpādhipati, with beauty, health and good qualities (sat-guṇa). Even the pāpas of this life and of earlier lives, such as brahmahatyā (the killing of a brāhmaṇa), perish like mountains struck by the vajra. (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 89)

9. Rajata Parvata (Chapter 90)

This mountain is made of silver: 10,000, 5,000 or 2,500 pala, and at least 20 pala. The four Vishkambha mountains are also of silver. Gold pratimās of Brahmā, Vishṇu, Ravi and Rudra are placed on the summit, in place of the usual silver ones. Where the other mountains use gold for the usual decorations, the silver mountain uses gold throughout. Where they use silver, the silver mountain also uses gold for those parts.

Dāna mantra. “O silver, you are dear to the pitṛs and to Vishṇu and Śaṅkara. Carry me across the ocean of saṃsāra.”

Phala. The giver gains the same as by giving 10,000 times 10,000 cows. He lives in Soma-loka for a full kalpa, with gandharvas, kinnaras and apsarases. (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 90)

10. Śarkarā Parvata (Chapter 91)

This mountain is made of sugar (śarkarā): 8, 4 or 2 bāruvas, and at least ½ bāruva. Three gold kalpavṛkshas (wishing trees), named mandāra, pārijāta and kalpa, are placed on the Meru summit. The four Vishkambha mountains have these pratimās:

  • Mandara (facing west): a pratimā of Manmatha
  • Gandhamādana (facing north): a pratimā of Kubera
  • Vipula (facing east): a pratimā of a haṃsa
  • Supārśva (facing south): a pratimā of Kāmadhenu

Where śarkarā came from. When the devas drank amṛta, the drops that fell on the earth became śarkarā. So śarkarā has the nature of amṛta. It is the most beloved substance of Bhagavān Sūrya in every homa and offering.

Dāna mantra. “O sugar mountain, you are the best. You are the essence of the amṛta of good fortune. Give us joy always. The drops of amṛta that fell when the devas drank became śarkarā. O sugar mountain, protect me. O sugar, born from the middle of the bow of Manmatha, protect us from the ocean of saṃsāra.”

Phala. The giver at once shines like the light of Vishṇu. He climbs into a vimāna with attendants, free of all pāpa, and goes to Śiva-bhavana. He lives there for 100 kalpas. After that, through 30,000 births one after another, he is born as a saptadvīpādhipati with long life and health. (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 91)

Dharma-mūrti Upākhyāna

Vasishṭha told the king Dharma-mūrti a story to show the power of the Parvata Dāna.

In an earlier bṛhat-kalpa, a veśyā (courtesan) named Līlāvatī had taken Bhagavān Śiva as her highest refuge. On a Caturdaśī day she gave the Lavaṇa Parvata dāna, with gold trees and pratimās of the devatās, as the rule says.

Sāṇḍu, a śūdra goldsmith (suvarṇakāra), served in her household. He made the gold trees and the pratimās of the devatās with great devotion. He knew it was deva-kārya (service of the devas), so he made them beautifully and took no payment. His wife polished all the gold trees and pratimās to a high finish. Husband and wife also served the brāhmaṇas without any deceit through the whole time of the vrata. Līlāvatī lived long in this way. She became free of all pāpa and reached Śiva-loka.

Vasishṭha said to Dharma-mūrti: “That poor goldsmith was poor, yet he made the gold trees and pratimās with perfect honesty and refused payment. You are that same Sāṇḍu, now born as the king Dharma-mūrti, a saptadvīpādhipati, shining like 10,000 suns. The wife of that goldsmith polished the gold trees and pratimās with devotion. She is your Bhānumatī. Her great beauty, greater even than that of the apsarases, comes from that polishing. Your own victory over enemies, your health and your wealth came from your selfless service to the brāhmaṇas during the Lavaṇa Parvata vrata.”

When Dharma-mūrti heard this, he bowed at the feet of Vasishṭha and gave all ten Parvata Dānas. By their puṇya he reached Śiva-loka, where the devas honour him. (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 91)

General statements on the Parvata Dāna

Even the very poor are freed from pāpa and reach svarga if they only see these dānas being given, or touch them, or hear about them, or explain them to others. All ten Parvata Dānas destroy the fear of saṃsāra, and the devas honour them. One who gives them all with bhakti (devotion) surely gains ātma-śānti (peace of the self). (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 91)

Per Agni Purāṇa

In the Agni Purāṇa, Agni Deva teaches Vasishṭha Maharshi the gift of the Merus, mountains built of holy substances, in two places: among the great dānas of Chapter 210, and as the twelve Meru-dānas of Chapter 212.

The ten Merus

After the sixteen mahādānas (great gifts), Agni Deva says that the Meru-dāna too gives puṇya (merit), and that the Merus are ten. He gives the measure of each:

  • Dhānya-meru (mountain of grain): 1,000 droṇas of grain is the best (uttama), 500 droṇas the middle (madhyama) and 250 droṇas the lowest (adhama).
  • Lavaṇācala (mountain of salt): 16 droṇas is the best.
  • Guḍa-parvata (mountain of jaggery): 10 bhāras the best, 5 bhāras the middle and 2½ bhāras the lowest.
  • Svarṇa-meru (mountain of gold): 1,000 palas the best, 500 palas the middle and two and a half palas the lowest.
  • Kārpāsa-parvata (mountain of cotton): 20 bhāras the best, 10 bhāras the middle and 5 bhāras the lowest.
  • Ghṛtācala (mountain of ghee): twenty pots full of ghee is the best.
  • Rajata-parvata (mountain of silver): 10,000 palas is the best.
  • Śarkarācala (mountain of sugar): 8 bhāras the best, 4 bhāras the middle and 2 bhāras the low.

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 210

The twelve Meru-dānas

Agni Deva then says to Vasishṭha: “Now I shall tell you of the twelve kinds of Meru-dāna, which give bhukti (enjoyment) and mukti (moksha).”

The Meru-vrata and the Ratna-meru. On Kārttika pūrṇimā (the full-moon day of Kārttika) one keeps the Meru-vrata and gives the Ratna-meru, the Meru of gems, to a brāhmaṇa. Its measure is eight gems: diamonds (vajra), rubies (māṇikya), sapphires (nīlamaṇi), vaidūrya (cat’s-eye), crystals (sphaṭika), pushparāga (topaz), emeralds (marakata) and pearls (muktā). One prastha of each is the best gift; half of that is the middle; half of the middle is the lowest. One who gives the Ratna-meru must give up all miserliness.

How the Meru is set up. A lotus of twelve petals is made, and the Meru is set on its pericarp. Its devatās are Brahmā, Vishṇu and Maheśvara. Twelve mountains stand on the petals, three on each side:

So Mount Meru is worshipped together with the twelve mountains.

The rite. The giver keeps upavāsa (a fast) and bathes. He worships Bhagavān Vishṇu and Bhagavān Śiva, worships the Meru before them, and gives it to the brāhmaṇa while uttering the mantras. The saṅkalpa (declaration) names the place and the time: “This Meru, made of this substance, whose devatā is Śrī Mahāvishṇu, I give to a brāhmaṇa of this gotra. By this dāna may my antaḥkaraṇa (inner being) be made pure. May the highest enjoyments and moksha come to me.”

The phala. One who gives in this way uplifts his whole kula (family line). The devas honour him, and seated in a vimāna he roams in Indraloka, Brahmaloka, Śivaloka and Śrī Vaikuṇṭha. The Meru-dāna should be made, and others should be helped to make it, at holy times such as saṅkrānti (the sun’s passage into a new sign).

The Mahā-meru of gold. The Mahā-meru is made of 1,000 palas of gold. It has three peaks, on which Brahmā, Vishṇu and Maheśvara are installed. The mountains around it are each of 100 palas of gold; with the Meru there are thirteen mountains. On the day of the Uttarāyaṇa saṅkrānti, or at an eclipse of the sun or the moon, the giver sets the Meru before a mūrti of Bhagavān Vishṇu, worships Śrī Mahāvishṇu and the Meru, and gives it to a brāhmaṇa. He dwells long in Vishṇuloka.

The Rajata-meru (silver). One who gives a silver Meru with its twelve mountains, with saṅkalpa, enjoys kingship for as many years as there are atoms on the earth, and also gains the phala told above.

The Bhūmi-meru (land). Worshipping Śrī Mahāvishṇu and the brāhmaṇa, one gives a Meru of land. From a town, a janapada (country) or a village, the Meru is formed of an eighth part, and the twelve mountains from the rest. The giver gains the phala told before.

The Hasti-meru (elephants). A Meru with twelve mountains is formed of elephants and given together with three men. Its fruit is imperishable.

The Aśva-meru (horses) and the Go-meru (cows). The Aśva-meru is formed of fifteen horses, twelve of them placed where the twelve mountains stand. After the pūjā of Śrī Mahāvishṇu and the other devatās, the giver enjoys many enjoyments in this birth and becomes a king in the next. The Go-meru is given in the same way.

The Vastra-meru (cloth). Silk cloths weighing one puṭṭi (a large measure) form the Meru in the middle, with twelve cloths around it. Its fruit is imperishable.

The Ghṛta-parvata (ghee). The mountain is made of 5,000 palas of ghee, and each mountain beside it of 500 palas. Śrī Mahāvishṇu is worshipped on it, and it is given before him to a brāhmaṇa. The giver is happy in this world and reaches Vishṇuloka.

The Khaṇḍa-meru (sugar candy). One who makes and gives a Meru of sugar candy in the same way gains the phala told before.

The Dhānya-meru (grain). The Meru is made of five puṭṭis of grain, and the other twelve mountains of one puṭṭi each. On every one of them three golden peaks are made, and on all of them Brahmā, Vishṇu and Maheśvara are worshipped, with a special pūjā to Śrī Mahāvishṇu. Its fruit is imperishable.

The Tila-meru (sesame). The Tila-meru is made by the same measure, the other mountains by a tenth of it, with peaks as before. The giver goes to Vishṇuloka with his relatives. It is given with this mantra:

“Namaskāra to the Tila-meru, which is of the form of Vishṇu. Namaskāra to the Tila-meru on whose peaks stand Brahmā, Vishṇu and Maheśvara, which stands at the navel of the earth, which is ruler of the twelve mountains around it, which removes all pāpa, which is full of peace and joined with Vishṇu-bhakti. May it protect me. Freed of pāpa, may I reach the presence of Śrī Mahāvishṇu together with the pitṛs. Oṃ namaḥ. You are of the form of Vishṇu. Before Vishṇu, to a brāhmaṇa who is of the form of Vishṇu, with bhakti, for bhoga and moksha, I give you.”

Source: Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 212

Sources

  • Matsya Purāṇa, Chapters 82 to 91 (Chapter 82: Dhānya Parvata; 83: Lavaṇa; 84: Guḍa; 85: Suvarṇa; 86: Tila; 87: Kārpāsa; 88: Ghṛta; 89: Ratna; 90: Rajata; 91: Śarkarā, the Dharma-mūrti Upākhyāna and the general statements)
  • Agni Purāṇa, Chapters 210, 212