posana

Posana is a term of Sanskrit origin meaning nourishment or provisioning. In classical literature, posana denotes providing sustenance to living beings, particularly the support of family, guests, monks, or deities. The noun is derived from a root associated with nourishing and appears in various Indo-Aryan languages with related meanings of care, maintenance, or feeding.

In religious and social contexts, posana is linked to hospitality and charitable acts, and is often discussed alongside dana (giving) and annadan (the feeding of the hungry). The practice embodies a community obligation to safeguard well-being through food and care. In textual usages, posana can refer to both the act of nourishment and the broader sustenance that underpins communal life.

In modern usage, posana tends to be less common in everyday speech; more widely used terms such as poshan or poshana express nutrition or nourishment in Hindi and Sanskrit-derived contexts. Scholarly and transliteration contexts may retain posana to discuss historical concepts of provisioning or to translate passages from classical Sanskrit or Pali.

Posana may also appear as a proper noun or place name in some regions, though it is not a universally recognized international term. Related concepts include poshan (nutrition), annadan (food offering to the hungry), and dana (charity), which reflect similar themes of care, sustenance, and support within communities.