Exchange, gifting, and sacrificing

Exploring the concept of giving in pre-modern India, this book delves into the practices and theories surrounding daksina and dana, particularly in relation to the Brahmin elite. It examines various forms of gifting through the lens of Vedic, Sanskrit, and Buddhist texts, while also referencing Roman and Christian sources. The study highlights the Brahmanical theory of dutiful gifting, or dharmadana, as a central theme, illuminating the cultural and social dynamics of generosity in ancient Indian society.