Why water is considered as an indispensable commodity in a charity ritual?

Question

According to the scriptures a ritual involving charity (DAnam) will not be successful without the use of water. For example, while going through a Tantra related book that I have I found the following verse:

VinA darvaistu yat snAnam yaccha dAnam vinodakam |
Asankhyo yastu japyam sarvam tad phalam smritam ||

Without Darba (Kusha grass) a bath does not purify; without water charity is fruitless and likewise if the count is not kept the Japa is equally fruitless an act.

This verse is quoted in that book not to emphasize about the charity thing but to highlight the need of keeping the count while doing Japa.

I know, from several other verses from the Tantras, that if the count is not kept then the Rakshasas, who hover around, take the fruits of the Japa.

And, I also know that in a Hindu ritualistic bath one has to keep in hand Kusha grass and only then the bath is said to be complete/purifying by scriptural standards. For example see the following verses from Devi Bhagavata Purana:

Without this bath, no acts bear any fruit. Therefore everyday, this morning bath is very necessary. Taking the Kus'a grass in hand, one is to perform one's bath and Sandhyâ. If for seven days, the morning ablutions are not taken, and if for three days, the Sandhyâs are not performed, if for twelve days, the daily Homas be not performed, the Brâhmanas become S’ûdras.

A verse quite similar to the one given above is also found in the Angira Smriti.

Now, I do not know why water is indispensable that it is said that without it the charity ritual will be a failure? How according to scriptures the water is to be employed here? What role does it play?

I am asking this question because previously I was involved in a charity ritual which was extended over many days but then nobody told me how to use water in the ritual and how it was important. So, I want to make sure that I do not make the same mistake next time around.

Answer 1

Let me start with scriptural references. After citing references, I will address the question at fag end of this answer.

---

---

In Sandhya Vandanam, we say-

|| OM ApovA idaM sarvaM vishvA bhUtanyapaH PrAnavApaH pashavApaH annamApaH amruthamApaH samvaradt ApaH viradApaH svarAdApaH jyothiM shyApaH yajumshyAapaH sathyamApaH sarvA devathApaH bhuhu bhuvaH suvaH Apa OM. ||

All this is verily waters.

The elements of the universe, the vital airs, and living things

Indeed food, immortality, sovereignty, the godheads

The hymns, the yajuses, the Light, the Truth

All the Deities, and the three Planes

Are all indeed the waters.

---

A few lines from Apah (water) suktam are:

आपो हि ष्ठा मयोभुवस्था न ऊर्जे दधातन । महे रणाथ चक्षसे ॥१॥

यो वः शिवतमो रसस्तस्य भाजयतेह नः । उशतीरिव मातरः ॥२॥

तस्मा अरं गमाम वो यस्य क्षयाय जिन्वथ । आपो जनयथा च नः ॥३॥

O Water, because of your presence, the Atmosphere is so refreshing, and imparts us with vigour and strength.
We revere you who gladdens us by your Pure essence.

O Water, this auspicious Sap of yours, please share with us, Like a Mother desiring (to share her best possession with her children).

O Water, when your invigorating essence goes to one affected by weakness, it enlivens him, O Water, you are the source of our lives.

---

अपवन्तरमृतमप्सु ( apvantram amritamapsu )

There is Nector in water , there is medicine in water ।—…. ऋग्वेद १.२३.१९

---

आप: सर्वस्य भेषज: ( aapah sarvasya bheshjh )

Water is the cure for all diseases . _- ऋग्वेद १० .137.६ ।

---

---

Coming to your question, in Hinduism, every ritual is associated with some symbolic act. Charity (Danam) is very sacred & divine act. So for charity, which symbolic act is more suited than 'donating water'? Because nothing is more sacred than water.
So, water being so much important and divine, it is considered as an indispensable commodity in a charity ritual.

Answer 2

Self answering because I have now found out the role that water has to play during charity.

It's quite simple actually. Before making the gift, one should pour some water on to the ground and then make the charity. And, only then the charity is considered a success.

So, water plays only a small role here but a crucial one.

He should make all creatures, down to dogs and Chandalas, partake of the offering to All-gods. Some, however, maintain that he should not give food to unworthy people.

He should pour water before giving any gift; within the sacrificial enclosure, however, he should follow the vedic prescriptions. The rule is that the distribution of food should be carried out in a way that does not cause inconvenience to those who receive food every day. If he wants, he may deprive himself, his wife, or his son, but never his slaves or workers; but he should not deprive himself to such a degree that he is unable to carry out his ritual duties.

Apasthambha Dharma Sutras 2.8.