annādana

 In Sanskrit, annādana means the “giving of food” or “donation of food”, a meritorious act widely praised in Hindu religious literature.

Core Sanskrit Meaning

• The Sanskrit dictionaries define annadāna (अन्नदान) as “the giving of food” or “the maintenance of a person”

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• It is a tatpuruṣa compound:
  • anna = food, grain
  • dāna = giving, donation
    → annādana = the act of giving food.
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Usage in Hindu Traditions

The term appears across several branches of Hindu literature, always tied to generosity and religious merit:

• Dharmaśāstra: Listed as one of the major forms of dāna (charitable gifts), alongside bhūmidāna, vidyādāna, jaladāna, etc. It is praised as a highly virtuous act

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• Śaivism: Mentioned as part of sacred rites such as bathing at holy sites and giving away food (annadāna) as meritorious religious practice

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• Pāñcarātra / Vaiṣṇava tradition: Appears as an epithet of a form of Nṛsiṃha (Annadāna-Nṛsiṃha), symbolizing nourishment and benevolence

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Meaning in Modern Indian Languages

• Marathi: annadāna means “giving of food, supporting, maintaining”

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• Kannada: Defined simply as “the act of donating food”

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Summary

Annādana in Sanskrit refers to the charitable offering of food, considered one of the most sacred and meritorious forms of giving in Hindu ethical and ritual traditions.