DR. KALA ACHARYA 
Present book provides an exhaustive expostion of the Hindu practice of gift-giving. Here in the author includes virtually everry reference to dana found in the Vedas, Smritis, Dharmasutras and Puranas. These texts reveal a broad spectrum of religiously sanctioned gifting. Special guidelines exist governing simple hospitaligy as well as such grandiose offerings as a king's weight in gold or a mountain of jewels. These practices were widesperead and important for the material support of Hindu society on every level. Consequently, elaborate directions and rituals developed to insure the propriety of gifts, givers and recipients. These teachings constitute the substance of Dr. Acharya's research and through these passages the reader may glimpse the larger parterns of Hindu culture.
While the modern student may find the style of writing overly detailed and repetitive, one should remember their context and sense the 'Voice' of rishis.