Editing Alms (section)

==== In Mahabharata and Puranas ====
[[Bhagavad Gita]] describes the right and wrong forms of {{IAST|dāna}} in verses 17.20 through 17.22.<ref>Christopher Key Chapple, The Bhagavad Gita: Twenty-fifth–Anniversary Edition, State University of New York Press, {{ISBN|978-1438428420}}, pages 653-655</ref> The ''[[Adi Parva]]'' of the Hindu Epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'' states in Chapter 91 that a person must first acquire wealth by honest means, then embark on charity; be hospitable to those who come to him; never inflict pain on any living being; and share a portion with others whatever he consumes.<ref>M.N. Dutt (Translator), [https://archive.org/stream/aproseenglishtr00duttgoog#page/n143/mode/2up Adi Parva], Chapter XCI, verses 3-4, page 132</ref> In the ''[[Vana Parva]]'', Chapter 194, the Mahabharata recommends that one must "conquer the mean by charity, the untruthful by truth, the wicked by forgiveness, and dishonesty by honesty".<ref>MN Dutt (Translator), [https://archive.org/stream/aproseenglishtr00duttgoog#page/n737/mode/2up Vana Parva], Chapter CXCIV, verse 6, page 291</ref>

The ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' discusses when {{IAST|dāna}} is proper and when it is improper. In Book 8, Chapter 19, verse 36, it states that charity is inappropriate if it endangers and cripples modest livelihood of one's biological dependents or of one's own. Charity from surplus income above that required for modest living is recommended in the [[Puranas]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Agarwal |first=Sanjay |year=2010 |title=Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India |asin=B00E0R033S |page=43}}</ref>