Changes

=== Based on the Nature of Dana  ===

=== Based on the Nature of Dana  ===

According to Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, all dana can be classified into three categories: sattvika (associated with purity and spirituality), rajasika (associated with materialism and worldly affairs) and tamasika (associated with lack of intellect and leads to darkness). Shraddha or the right disposition is also defined in Skanda Purana as follows<blockquote>त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा॥ सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां श्रृणु॥ ४.४६ ॥  (Skan. Pura. Mahe. Khan. 4.46)<ref name=":23" /></blockquote><blockquote>trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṃ sā svabhāvajā॥ sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṃ śrṛṇu॥ 4.46 ॥</blockquote>

According to Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, all dana can be classified into three categories: sattvika (associated with purity and spirituality), rajasika (associated with materialism and worldly affairs) and tamasika (associated with lack of intellect and leads to darkness). Shraddha or the right disposition is also defined in Skanda Purana as follows<blockquote>त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा॥ सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां श्रृणु॥ ४.४६ ॥  (Skan. Pura. Mahe. Khan. 4.46)<ref name=":23" /></blockquote><blockquote>trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṃ sā svabhāvajā॥ sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṃ śrṛṇu॥ 4.46 ॥</blockquote>

* '''Sattvika Dana (सात्त्विकदानम्)''' : Sattvik dana is one that is made as a duty. It should be made after considering the time, place and the suitability of the receiver. The receiver should not perform any service or provide any benefit in return (अनुपकारी Anupkar). Swami Ramsukhdas explains that this kind of dana is really tyag, relinquishment, in which nothing is desired in return. This type of dana is not the kind that gives punya (पुण्यम्), merit in return. Seeking such punya will transform the dana into rajasik (राजसिकदानम्).<ref name=":02" />  The Bhagavad Gita expounds the satvika dana as follows:<blockquote>दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे । देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्विकं स्मृतम् ॥ (भ.गी.१७.२०)<ref name=":32">A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1972), Bhagavad-gita As it is,The Bhakti Vedanta Book Trust</ref></blockquote><blockquote>dātavyamiti yaddānaṃ dīyate'nupakāriṇe । deśe kāle ca pātre ca taddānaṃ sātvikaṃ smṛtam ॥ (Bhag. Gita.17.20)</blockquote>

* '''Sattvika Dana (सात्त्विकदानम्)''' : Sattvik dana is one that is made as a duty. It should be made after considering the time, place and the suitability of the receiver. The receiver should not perform any service or provide any benefit in return (अनुपकारी Anupkar). Swami Ramsukhdas explains that this kind of dana is really tyaga, relinquishment, in which nothing is desired in return. This type of dana is not the kind that gives punya (पुण्यम्), merit in return. Seeking such punya will transform the dana into rajasik (राजसिकदानम्).<ref name=":02" />  The Bhagavad Gita expounds the satvika dana as follows:<blockquote>दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे । देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्विकं स्मृतम् ॥ (भ.गी.१७.२०)<ref name=":32">A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1972), Bhagavad-gita As it is,The Bhakti Vedanta Book Trust</ref></blockquote><blockquote>dātavyamiti yaddānaṃ dīyate'nupakāriṇe । deśe kāle ca pātre ca taddānaṃ sātvikaṃ smṛtam ॥ (Bhag. Gita.17.20)</blockquote>

* '''Rajasika (राजसिकदानम्)''' : Rajasika dana is made for getting some direct or indirect benefit (whether material or spiritual) in return. The parting (of property) causes pain or regret to the donor. Or the dana is given after some persuasion (as in a collection or chanda - चंदा). Rajasika dana gives whatever benefits are sought by the donor.<ref name=":02" /> According to the Bhagavad Geeta,<blockquote>यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः । दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥ (भ.गी.१७.२१)<ref name=":32" /></blockquote><blockquote>yattu pratyupakārārthaṃ phalamuddiśya vā punaḥ । dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṃ taddānaṃ rājasaṃ smṛtam ॥ (Bhag. Gita.17.21)</blockquote>

* '''Rajasika (राजसिकदानम्)''' : Rajasika dana is made for getting some direct or indirect benefit (whether material or spiritual) in return. The parting (of property) causes pain or regret to the donor. Or the dana is given after some persuasion (as in a collection or chanda - चंदा). Rajasika dana gives whatever benefits are sought by the donor.<ref name=":02" /> According to the Bhagavad Geeta,<blockquote>यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः । दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥ (भ.गी.१७.२१)<ref name=":32" /></blockquote><blockquote>yattu pratyupakārārthaṃ phalamuddiśya vā punaḥ । dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṃ taddānaṃ rājasaṃ smṛtam ॥ (Bhag. Gita.17.21)</blockquote>

* '''Tamasika (तामसिकदानम्)''' : When dana is made to an unsuitable person or without considering time or place, then it is called tamasika dana. If the dana is made without showing proper respect or in an insulting manner, then also it becomes tamasika. Another example of a tamasika dana would be where it is intended to cause bodily harm to another. In such a case, both the donor and the recipient are to be punished as for theft. The Bhagavad Gita says,<blockquote>अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते । असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ (भ.गी.१७.२२)<ref name=":32" /></blockquote><blockquote>adeśakāle yaddānamapātrebhyaśca dīyate । asatkṛtamavajñātaṃ tattāmasamudāhṛtam ॥ (Bhag. Gita.17.22)</blockquote>

* '''Tamasika (तामसिकदानम्)''' : When dana is made to an unsuitable person or without considering time or place, then it is called tamasika dana. If the dana is made without showing proper respect or in an insulting manner, then also it becomes tamasika. Another example of a tamasika dana would be where it is intended to cause bodily harm to another. In such a case, both the donor and the recipient are to be punished as for theft. The Bhagavad Gita says,<blockquote>अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते । असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ (भ.गी.१७.२२)<ref name=":32" /></blockquote><blockquote>adeśakāle yaddānamapātrebhyaśca dīyate । asatkṛtamavajñātaṃ tattāmasamudāhṛtam ॥ (Bhag. Gita.17.22)</blockquote>

== दानपद्धतिः ॥ Procedure of Dana ==

== दानपद्धतिः ॥ Procedure of Dana ==

A distinguishing feature of traditional dana is the elaborate rituals and ceremonies that do with making a dana, making it more of an event rather than a simple transfer of resources. The pauranic method of dana leaves a lasting impression on the donor's mind as well as the community. This automatically serves to record the donation, as also encourage others to follow suit. However, Goswami Tulsidas offers a different view in the Ramcharitmanas. He adds that in Kali Yuga, the method of making a dana is not so important, rather Tyagabuddhi or relinquishment is more important.  

A distinguishing feature of traditional dana is the elaborate rituals and ceremonies that do with making a dana, making it more of an event rather than a simple transfer of resources. The pauranic method of dana leaves a lasting impression on the donor's mind as well as the community. This automatically serves to record the donation, as also encourage others to follow suit. However, Goswami Tulsidas offers a different view in the Ramcharitmanas. He adds that in Kali Yuga, the method of making a dana is not so important, rather Tyagabuddhi or relinquishment is more important.<ref name=":02" />

Nevertheless,  the formal act of dana starts with a sankalpa, making a resolution. While there are many procedures to be followed for making a dana on different occasions the general procedure is outlined as follows: (see footnote 2016 on Page 855 of Reference <ref name=":12" /> and Page 506 of Reference <ref name=":222">Pt. Bharatachandra Siromani (1873) ''[https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.424417/2015.424417.chaturvarga-chintamani#page/n535/mode/2up Chaturvarga Chintamani by Hemadri, Vol 1, Dana kanda.]'' Calcutta: The Asiatic Society of Bengal</ref>)

Nevertheless,  the formal act of dana starts with a sankalpa, making a resolution. While there are many procedures to be followed for making a dana on different occasions the general procedure is outlined as follows: (see footnote 2016 on Page 855 of Reference <ref name=":12" /> and Page 506 of Reference <ref name=":222">Pt. Bharatachandra Siromani (1873) ''[https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.424417/2015.424417.chaturvarga-chintamani#page/n535/mode/2up Chaturvarga Chintamani by Hemadri, Vol 1, Dana kanda.]'' Calcutta: The Asiatic Society of Bengal</ref>)

* Donor explicity says " I make a gift to you of such an such an article" and and the donee says "give". Then the donor pours water in the donee's hand along with offer of the gift. Apastamba Dharmasutras (2.4.9.9 and 10) explicitly states that all gifts are to be made with water except in the case of vedic yajnas where they are to be made as directed by the vedic texts. Gautama (5.6) also supports the same.

* Donor explicity says " I make a gift to you of such an such an article" and and the donee says "give". Then the donor pours water in the donee's hand along with offer of the gift. Apastamba Dharmasutras (2.4.9.9 and 10) explicitly states that all gifts are to be made with water except in the case of vedic yajnas where they are to be made as directed by the vedic texts. Gautama (5.6) also supports the same.

* The donor has to offer the gifts accompanied by a separate dakshina to the donee.   

* The donor has to offer the gifts accompanied by a separate dakshina to the donee.   

== Dana Associated Terminology ==

== Dana Associated Terminology ==