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→Definition of Dana: adding content and citations
== Definition of Dana ==
== Definition of Dana ==
[[File:Dana and Other Giving Traditions in India By Sanjay Agarwal-1.jpg|right|frameless|400x400px]]
[[File:Dana and Other Giving Traditions in India By Sanjay Agarwal-1.jpg|right|400x400px]]
Defining Dana, Shri. Sanjay Agarwal<ref>Agarwal, Sanjay. (2010) ''Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India.'' New Delhi: AccountAid, India</ref> says dana is a sub-set of giving. It is only the last item - 'giving - as per scriptural directions' that qualifies as proper danam. According to him the most comprehensive definition of Dana appears to have seven essential elements.
The literature on dana is of enormous extent. Defining Dana, Shri. Sanjay Agarwal<ref name=":0">Agarwal, Sanjay. (2010) ''Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India.'' New Delhi: AccountAid, India</ref> says dana is a sub-set of giving. It is only the last item - 'giving - as per scriptural directions' that qualifies as proper danam. According to his findings the most comprehensive definition of Dana appears to have seven essential
# Donar
elements.
# Donor
# Receiver
# Receiver
# Respectful transaction
# Respectful transaction
# Right time
# Right time
# Right procedure
# Right procedure
According to Devala, there are six angas (constituent elements) of dana.<ref name=":1">Kane, Pandurang. Vaman. (1941) ''History of Dharmasastra, Volume Two, Part 2.'' Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>
दाता प्रतिग्रहीता च श्रद्धा देयं च धर्मयुक् । देशकालो च दानानामङ्गन्येतानि षड् विदुः॥
They are the donor, the donee, shraddha (charitable attitude), the subject of gift which must have been acquired by the donor in a proper way, a proper time, and a proper place. Manu in Manusmriti has indicated clearly about the first four apsects. (4.226-227)
== Classification of Dana ==
Dana has been classified in several overlapping ways, depending on one's perspective: <ref name=":0" />
[[File:Dana Classification.jpg|left|545x545px|Source : Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India By Sanjay Agarwal (Page 22)]]
A simple definition of each kind of Dana is as follows:
Ishtapurta is a word of high antiquity that deserves consideration in the subject of dana occurring in the Rigveda and the sense seems to be 'the cumulative spiritual result of merit due to a man's performance of sacrifices and charitable acts'. The word though employed in the singular consists of two parts, ishta (what is sacrificed) and purta (what is filled).<ref name=":1" />
=== Ishta ===
Acts which are primarily religious in nature (yajna, homa, tapas, atithi satkar etc) and are turned inwards, are called Ishta. The rewards of such acts are invisible in this life and will be enjoyed in paradise.<ref name=":0" />
=== Purta ===
Acts which are primarily charitable in nature (construction of public utilities, ponds, schools, rest houses, gardens, ann-kshetra, etc.) are called poort. The benefits of poort are visible in this life, and include attainment of moksh. Charitable trusts are called poort works in scriptures.<ref name=":0" />
== References ==
== References ==