What is Dakshina

On any occasions like marriage, thread ceremony, opening ceremony, rites at death,Puja ,Kathas etc., we ask a Brahmin priest to officiate over the ceremony and in return for his services we offer him grain, cloth, gold or cash.

Remember that you cannot perform a puja at someone else's cost (eg the cost of fuel, the payment for flowers,Pan etc etc ),you must be fully responsible for the cost of the puja you perform with Bhakti and Bhauna if you want to derive the full benefit of the puja or to attain the lotus feet of the lord.. (refer to the shree sath narayan vrat katha - the lakadhara story )

Even a Flower from someone elses yard without proper payment is not yours to offer to the lord , as you dont have any right over it.

The same as the cost of the Brahmins to come to you and perform the rites on you behalf ,if not properly rewarded for his cost, one may not derive full benefit.

Dakshina is given for a service provided by a priest without asking for it.

In determining the amount of dakshina to be offered to the priest, the yajman should take into account the time devoted by the priest to the performance of a particular ceremony and in reaching the venue of this service.

What is Daan

Daan is the traditional form of charity. We are told that giving away of daan secures divine blessings for the giver.

1. Normally a Daan was given to a Brahmin who goes around and performs the retuals for people without demanding anything. So it was peoples duty to give regular(monthly etc)  daan to Priests so his families welfare is taken care of. (Remember this is not part of Dakshina)

2. Another form of Dana is given to the Poor and needy totally as a donation only ,not in return of his service.

People used to have organised mass feeding , distribution of grain, clothes and utilities as daan to needy and poor.

Daan means not expecting anything in return, is just your duty to perform such a duty if you can afford to do so.