DĀNAM AS DHARMA

Even though the spiritual path seems to be for individual progress, the journey depends on various components and interactions between them. In this work, one of these components, dānam -giving charity - was elaborately discussed through the guidance of ancient Indian texts such as, the Vedas, Upaniṣads, Bhagavad Gītā, Purāṇas etc. and the sayings of the Sages. The work explores the range and scope of the ethical ideal of dānam as a spiritual practice and experience. In this context, the objective of this study is to see dānam from different perspectives and explore the core connection between dharma and dānam by depending on the Indian ancient scriptural texts. There are many areas, which were unknown to the proponents of dānam in yesteryears. This research is a continuous process that needs improvement as time goes by, and as such it is non-exhaustive. There remain some more relevant topics to be explored in continuation with this work such as cultural, psychological, sociological, political or economic.