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Dakshinaa is a kind of fees given to Braahman when he performs any religious ceremony for his Yajmaan (Kshatriya or Vaishya). It can be anything or the combination of money, precious metal and stones, clothes, articles, animals (cow etc). It is a must. Without this the religious ceremony doesn't complete. Although it is not necessary the amount, but rich people should give more than the poor people customarily.

In olden times students used to study in Guru's house (or Aashram, or Gurukul). They lived there, ate there, served Guru and Guru's wife sincerely and Guru and Guru's wife used to take care of them. They lived there free. But it was customary to give something to Guru after the education was over as a fees when the student left Guru's place. Above mentioned Dakshinaa (to Braahman) is given, not asked; but Guru Dakshinaa, given to Guru, was asked by the Guru at that time. Without Guru Dakshinaa the education was not considered complete.

There are some Guru Dakshinaa which are well-known in Hindu religious history:

(1) Krishn brought His Guru's wife's earrings back from Indra. Besides He brought their dead son alive too.

(2) Paandav gave Guru Dakshinaa to Drone by bringing Drupad to him as he wanted them to bring him; at the same time Kaurav never paid their Guru Dakshinaa to Drone.

(3) Eklavya gave his right hand thumb to Drone in Guru Dakshinaa on his asking of Guru Dakshinaa.

(4) Karn's Guru was Parashuraam Jee. When Karn asked Parashuraam Jee as what he should pay as Guru Dakshinaa, he told that he was very happy with his disciple that he wouldn't ask any Guru Dakshinaa from him. Once Parashuraam Jee was sleeping keeping his head in Karn's lap, that a scorpion came and crawled on to Karn's body. It stung and stung, and Karn started bleeding but he did not move at all because of the fear of disturbance in Guru's sleep. Some time later when Parashuraam Jee woke up, he saw Karn bleeding. He asked Karn - "Oh, You are bleeding? What happened?" Karn said - "This insect stung me." "Then why didn't you wake me up?" "So that your sleep is not disturbed." Parashuraam Jee got angry at this and asked him - "Who are you? You cannot be a Braahman, because Braahman doesn't have so much tolerance. Only a Kshatriya can have such tolerance. Why did you lie to me? I give you Shaap that when you will need my education most, you will forget it." 

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