The Sanskrit term Annakṣetra can be transliterated into English as Annaksetra or Annakshetra, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

India history and geography

Source: Wisdom Library: India History

Annakṣetra (अन्नक्षेत्र) refers to a “canteen” or an “establishment that freely feeds hundreds of Sadhus (for Bhikṣā—taking alms)”

Source: Yoga Magazine: Sannyasa

Annakshetra refers to “free food outlets”.—Sannyasins are fed by philanthropists so that we can chant the name of God. In Rishikesh there are anna-kshetras, free food outlets. They say in Benaras no one ever starves. Why is this system is so widespread? It is with the view that once a sadhu’s basic needs are met, he is totally free to devote his time to singing God’s name. Sadhus and sannyasins have been looked after by our society down the ages. In the olden times the royalty looked after them. This was true even during the Mughal rule. You still find copper plates declaring that so many acres of land was donated to such and such a sadhu. During the Buddhist era, monks got land donations. Jain rulers donated land to Jain monks. This was the tradition followed in both north and south India. All beneficiaries may not have been deserving sages, but because of this facility some could develop into sannyasins.

Source: Yoga Magazine: The Divine Mission

Annakshetra refers to the “communal kitchen” (of an Ashram).—It was divine will which prompted Swami Sivananda to organize an institution to cater to the spiritual needs of the people and to spiritualize the whole country. The Sivananda Ashram served as a retreat for seekers and rendered social service to people in the neighbourhood. [...] In this congenial atmosphere, surcharged with liberty, equality and fraternity, work went on silently and smoothly. There was the Ashram Mandir, the Bhajan Hall, the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy Press, the Ayurvedic Pharmacy, the Studio, the Construction Department, the Correspondence Section, the Accounts Office, the Annakshetra (communal kitchen), and many other departments, all of which provided avenues for selfless service for the many inmates. Sivananda put them all to work, each according to his capacity and talent.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Kshetra, Anna.

Relevant text

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