Gosahasra

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Gosahasra or go-sahasra-dana (literally "the gift of a thousand cows") is a ritual donation described in the ancient texts of India. It is one of the sixteen great gifts (shodasha-mahadana), and is frequently mentioned in the ancient inscriptions.

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Scriptural authority

The Atharvaveda - parishishta , composed in the 1st millennium BCE, mentions gosahasra, along with hiranyagarbha and tulapurusha donations. [1] These three donations are included among the sixteen great gifts in the later text Matsya Purana ; the relevant section of the text appears to have been composed during 550-650 CE. [2] The Matsya Purana states that several ancient kings performed the great gifts, [1] and these three donations are most prominent among the great gifts recorded in historical inscriptions. [3]

The Linga Purana also mentions the sixteen great gifts; according to R. C. Hazara, the relevant portion of the text was composed during c. 600-1000 CE, most probably after 800 CE. The great gifts are further detailed in the later digests devoted to the topic of charity (dāna), such as Ballala's Dana-sagara, and the Danakhanda section of Hemadri's Chaturvarga-chintamani (13th century). [1]

Historical performers

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