Speaker: Śrī Kṛṣṇa
यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः ।
दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥२१॥
yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ
phalam uddiśya vā punaḥ
dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṁ
tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛtam
Word for word (synonyms)
- yat
- that which
- tu
- but
- prati-upakāra-artham
- for the sake of getting some return
- phalam
- result
- uddiśya
- desiring
- vā
- or
- punaḥ
- again
- dīyate
- is given in charity
- ca
- also
- parikliṣṭam
- grudgingly
- tat
- that
- dānam
- charity
- rājasam
- in the mode of passion
- smṛtam
- is understood to be
Translation
But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be charity in the mode of passion.
Defined in the Gītā
Charity
What is charity in goodness?
That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness.
Purport
Charity is sometimes performed for elevation to the heavenly kingdom and sometimes with great trouble and with repentance afterwards. "Why have I spent so much in this way?" Charity is also sometimes made under some obligation, at the request of a superior. These kinds of charity are said to be made in the mode of passion.
There are many charitable foundations which offer their gifts to institutions where sense gratification goes on. Such charities are not recommended in the Vedic scripture. Only charity in the mode of goodness is recommended.
What this verse teaches
The study note for this verse is in editorial review.
- Section
- Charity in three modes
| Goodness | Passion | Ignorance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charity | given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return 17.20 | performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood 17.21 | performed at an improper place and time and given to unworthy persons without respect and with contempt 17.22 |
Bhagavad-gītā As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda © The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.