`Daana’ is a Lot More Than Mere Charity - Prabhakaran

Daana has also the element of sacrifice in it. Sacrifice not in the Vedic sense of rituals, but in the giving up of something for the purpose of fulfilling someone else’s need.

Daana is an oft used word in our scriptural texts. Our culture being enmeshed in our religious traditions, daana is a part of the daily lives of our people – be they rich or poor.

It is a common sight in India to witness householders offering food to invited Brahmins or mendicants either regularly or on special occasions. Some families especially in South India, offer food to invited mendicants on specific days of a week. Only after this is done do the members of the household have their meals. Similarly after the traditional fasting on Ekadashi day, the householder gives an offering – ‘siddha’ – of rice, vegetables (generally produced in his farm), coconuts, and the like to Brahmins or priests from the local Temples.

At the annual Sraaddha ceremony – during which worship and oblations are offered to the ancestors – the householder offers meals to Brahmin invitees, the number depending on his means and the facilities available.

© "Bhavan’s Journal" (February 28, 2003) published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kulapati KM Munshi Marg, Chowpatty, Mumbai 400 007. (Website: www.bhavans.info). Reprinted with permission.

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