4. Letter

Mail from Poojya Guruji

What is Dakshina?

Hari om !

Dakshina is something unique to Vedic tradition. Knowledge has always been free for all seekers in this tradition. This is specially amazing when we see the all-round commercialization of knowledge all over the world. The highest and greatest of all knowledge has been flowing freely for one & all.

In this tradition, after the completion of any study, the student is obliged to not only express his gratitude verbally but also requests the Guru to order anything for him to do - that is Dakshina. In fact Dakshina is not something the student gives voluntarily to the teacher, but it is something which the teacher asks the student to do, to square up the obligation. Obviously the magnanimous and compassionate teacher generally asks for something which not only the student can give, and also gets benefitted by this giving too. The teacher is selfless so there is no question for him to ask any personal favours, but everything is ultimatey for the well-be-

ing and evolution of the student and also the continuation of the tradition.

Running a charitable institute may require some assistance or commitment, or may be the teacher may just ask the student a promise to regularly be in touch with his studies and do his sadhanas. It is all the discretion of the teacher. That is Dakshina.

Love & om,

Swami Atmananda