Dāna and dakṣiṇā — giving

Dāna is charity — food, clothes, money or time given to those in need, often as part of a rite. Dakṣiṇā is the respectful gift given to the priest or teacher who conducts the rite; tradition says a rite is not complete without it.

Give what you comfortably can, with respect. Feeding people, supporting a temple or a cause, or helping someone in your community are all honoured forms of dāna.

Karmakāṇḍa — the ritual way · Ask a Jyotishi your own question