Donor (दाता)

Donor or data (Samskrit : दाता) is one who consciously gives up the ownership over a thing/substance/item (eligible for dana) to another person (or community) who accepts mentally, vocally or physically the thing or material from the donor.

Data Lakshanam

Eligible Donor

Ineligible Donor

Guidelines for a Donor

The Shastra Granthas take great care in enumerating the precautions to be taken by a donor. For, the Patrata (पात्रता । Eligibility) of the receiver, the appropriateness of the time and place of charity decide the fruitfulness of the act of donation.

Apastamba Dharma Sutra

Expounding on how should a Dana should be given, the Apastamba Dharma Sutra says the following.

१ तत्र गुणान्समीक्ष्य यथाशक्ति देयम् || 2:5:10:2.||

tatra guṇān samīkṣya yathā śakti deyam || 2:5:10:2.||

Meaning: [The donor] must examine the qualities [of the petitioner] and give according to his means.

२ इन्द्रि यप्रीत्यर्थस्य तु भिक्षणमनिमित्तम् । न तदाद्रि येत || 2:5:10:3.||

indriya prīty arthasya tu bhikṣaṇam animittam | na tad ādriyeta || 2:5:10:3.||

Meaning: But if persons solicit donations for the sake of sensual gratification, that is improper; one should disregard them.

१७ योक्ता च धर्मयुक्तेषु द्र व्यपरिग्रहेषु च || 2:8:20:18.||

yā-uktā ca dharma yukteṣu dravya parigraheṣu ca || 2:8:20:18.||

Meaning: And let him acquire money in all ways that are lawful.

१८ प्रतिपादयिता च तीर्थे || 2:8:20:19.||

pratipādayitā ca tīrthe || 2:8:20:19.||

Meaning: And let him spend money on worthy [persons or objects]. Manusmriti (11.6) also advices the same.

१९ यन्ता चातीर्थे यतो न भयं स्यात् || 2:8:20:20.||

yantā ca-atīrthe yato na bhayaṃ syāt || 2:8:20:20.||

Meaning: And let him not give anything to an unworthy [person], whom he does not fear.

२० संग्रहीता च मनुष्यान् || 2:8:20:21.||

saṃgrahītā ca manuṣyān || 2:8:20:21.||

Meaning: And let him conciliate people [by gifts or kindness].

११ देशतः कालतः शौचतः सम्यक् प्रतिग्रहीतृत इति दानानि प्रतिपादयति || 2:6:15:12.||

deśataḥ kālataḥ śaucataḥ samyak pratigrahītṛta iti dānāni pratipādayati || 2:6:15:12.||

Meaning: One shall distribute his gifts at the proper places, at the proper times, at the occasion of purificatory rites, and to proper recipients.

Manusmriti (3.98) also gives a similar instruction to the donor