Gold

“O Grandisre Bhishma! you told me about cows. But I heard that in all Yajnas, Gold is best to be given in charity. Even in Vedas, Gold was siad to be an offering to Brahmins. You yourself said that land, gold and cows are best to be given in charity. Kindly tell me about Gold and its origin.” asked Dharmaja.


“O Dharmaja! After the demise of my father, Santana, I went to Ganga to perform obsequies. With the help of my mother Ganga, I was performing the obsequies of my father. At the time of Pinda Pradana (offering of food to Pitaras). I spread Dharbas (sacred grass) on the floor. While I was placing one Pinda on Dharbas, a hand with gold ornaments, probably that of my father, was stretched to receive the Pinda. I was astonished that my father personally came there to receive Pinda. I was very much satisfied. My heart was filled with joy. But if I put Pinda in the hand of my father, Vedas do not agree. Pindas shall be placed only on Dharbas not directly on hands. It was against Vedic rites. Therefore, I kept the Pinda intended for my father, on Dharbhas.

The hand of my father disappeared. Before me, my father and forefathers appeared before me. “O Devavrata! You performed Pindapradana according to Dharma. You have not favoured your father because he stretched his hand. We are very happy. We are satisfied with your Pindapradana. You give Gold in lieu of land and cows because Gold is sacred. Hereinafter, you give Gold during Yajnas and Yagas in lieu of Land and Cows.”said my forefathers. Then my father and forefathers disappeared. Dharmaja! This was what I personally experienced.

Besides that, after Parasurama massacred all Kshatriyas twenty one times, he performed Vajapeya yajna. Parasurama was not satisfied with that Yajna. He went to Vasishta and asked him a way out to vanish all his sins.

Vasishta said thus: “O Parasurama! Gold is equivalent to Agni. Even divine bodies are embodiments of Agni. If you give Gold as charity, it is equivalent to giving Divine bodies as charity. This was told by Vedas. Therefore, give Gold as charity to Brahmins, and vanish your sins completely. I also tell you the words of Brahma about Gold.

After the marriage of Parvati to Lord Siva they were living together. As a result of their conjugal life, the semen of Lord Siva was deposited with Agni. At that time, one Taraka Asura was teasing and harrassing divine bodies and sages and saints. All of them went to Brahma and told him about their woes and sufferings.

Brahma said : “I already made sufficient arrangements. You go and meet Agni. He solves the problem” said Brahma.

All divine bodies and saints went in search of Agni but could not find him. At last they found Agni in a Jammi Tree. All divine bodies and saints told Agni about the words of Brahma. Agni immediately threw away the brilliantly shining semen of Maha Siva into Ganga. With the combination of the semen of Maha Siva, Ganga became pregnant. But she could not bear that pregnancy. Ganga deposited her pregnancy in a grass bush on its banks. In that grass bush a boy was born. Six Krittikas nourished and fed that baby. That boy with six faces sucked milk from those six Krittikas. Hence he was called Shanmukha. He was also called Agniputra, Gangaputra and Kartikeya. After growing up, that boy became the Chief of Army for Divine forces. Then Kartikeya killed Taraka Asura with Shakti weapon. All divine bodies and saints were very happy.

Maha Siva was the embodiment of Gold. Agni who bore the semen of Agni also shined as Gold. Gold was born from Agni. Hence Gold was called Jata Roopa. Therefore, Gold attained such splendour and sacredness.” said Vasishta to Parasurama. Then Parasurama performed several Suvarna Danas.

Therefore, Dharmanandana! You also make Suvarna Danas in abundance and attain name and fame.” said Bhishma.

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