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Bhagwad Gita (English) | Chapter 17 | Verse 20

Chapter 17, Verse 20

The Divisions of Faith

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.

Verse

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे।देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम्।।17.20।।


dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate ‘nupakāriṇe
deśhe kāle cha pātre cha tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛitam

Meaning of each word

dātavyam — worthy of charity;
iti — thus;
yat — which;
dānam — charity;
dīyate — is given;
anupakāriṇe — to one who cannot give in return;
deśhe — in the proper place;
kāle — at the proper time;
cha — and;
pātre — to a worthy person;
cha — and;
tat — that;
dānam — charity;
sāttvikam — in the mode of goodness;
smṛitam — is stated to be

Interpretation

This verse explains what kind of giving, or charity, is considered the best or 'pure' according to spiritual teachings. Let's break it down into simpler parts:

1. **Giving Out of Duty**: This means when you give something because you feel it is the right thing to do, not just because you want to show off or feel good about yourself. For example, if someone is in need and you know you can help, it feels good to lend a hand, but your motivation should be doing what’s right, rather than seeking praise.

2. **Proper Time and Place**: This means that there are times and places that are more suitable for giving. For instance, it might be more meaningful to donate at a community event or during a significant occasion (like a religious festival or ceremony) rather than just on a random day in any location.

3. **Giving to a Worthy Person**: This points to the importance of who you are helping. It's advisable to give to someone who truly needs it and is also deserving of your help, especially those involved in spiritual practices or learning. This is seen as beneficial because it supports their growth and progress.

4. **Without Expectation of Return**: This means you should not give with the hope of getting something back in return. For example, if you help someone or give them a gift, do so without thinking that they should repay you or do something nice for you later. True charity is selfless.

The interpretation emphasizes that giving should have a purpose. In spiritual literature, it is advised to give to those who are dedicated to spiritual practices rather than giving randomly. This can be at temples, during important celestial events like eclipses, or to respected individuals in the community.

When the things we donate go to those engaged in spiritual activities, it aligns with the purpose of achieving a higher understanding of life and enhancing community well-being.

Lastly, the text warns that while helping the poor can come from a good heart, if the aid goes to someone who does not value or use it wisely, it may not contribute to any positive change or spiritual growth.

In simple terms, charity is most valued when given thoughtfully, with respect to time, place, person, and intention.

Other Verses of Chapter 17
Verse 1
Arjuna said, O Krsna, what is the situation of one who does not follow the principles of scripture but worships according to his own imagination? Is he in goodness, in passion or in ignorance?
Verse 2
The Supreme Lord said, according to the modes of nature acquired by the embodied soul, one's faith can be of three kinds-goodness, passion or ignorance. Now hear about these.
Verse 3
According to one's existence under the various modes of nature, one evolves a particular kind of faith. The living being is said to be of a particular faith according to the modes he has acquired.
Verse 4
Men in the mode of goodness worship the demigods; those in the mode of passion worship the demons; and those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits.
Verse 5
Those men who practice terrific austerities not prescribed by the scriptures, given to hypocrisy and egoism, driven by the force of lust and attachment.
Verse 6
Know thou these to be of demonical resolves, senselessly torturing all the elements in the body and Me who dwell in the body.
Verse 7
Even food of which all partake is of three kinds, according to the three modes of material nature. The same is true of sacrifices, austerities and charity. Listen, and I shall tell you of the distinctions of these.
Verse 8
The foods that increase life, purity, strength, health, joy, and cheerfulness (good appetite), which are savory, oily, substantial, and agreeable, are dear to the Sattvic (pure) people.
Verse 9
The foods that are bitter, sour, salty, overly hot, pungent, dry, and burning are liked by the Rajasic and are productive of pain, grief, and disease.
Verse 10
That which is stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten, rejected, and impure is the food liked by the Tamasic.
Verse 11
Of sacrifices, that sacrifice performed according to duty and to scriptural rules, and with no expectation of reward, is of the nature of goodness.
Verse 12
But that sacrifice performed for some material end or benefit or performed ostentatiously, out of pride, is of the nature of passion, O chief of the Bharatas.
Verse 13
And that sacrifice performed in defiance of scriptural injunctions, in which no spiritual food is distributed, no hymns are chanted and no remunerations are made to the priests, and which is faithless—that sacrifice is of the nature of ignorance.
Verse 14
The austerity of the body consists in this: worship of the Supreme Lord, the brahmanas, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and mother. Cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence are also austerities of the body.
Verse 15
Austerity of speech consists in speaking truthfully and beneficially and in avoiding speech that offends. One should also recite the Vedas regularly.
Verse 16
And serenity, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purity of thought are the austerities of the mind.
Verse 17
This threefold austerity, practiced by men whose aim is not to benefit themselves materially but to please the Supreme, is of the nature of goodness.
Verse 18
Those ostentatious penances and austerities which are performed in order to gain respect, honor and reverence are said to be in the mode of passion. They are neither stable nor permanent.
Verse 19
And those penances and austerities which are performed foolishly by means of obstinate self-torture, or to destroy or injure others, are said to be in the mode of ignorance.
Verse 21
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.
Verse 22
And charity performed at an improper place and time and given to unworthy persons without respect and with contempt is charity in the mode of ignorance.
Verse 23
From the beginning of creation, the three syllables-om tat sat-have been used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth [Brahman]. They were uttered by brahmanas while chanting Vedic hymns and during sacrifices, for the satisfaction of the Supreme.
Verse 24
Thus the transcendentalists undertake sacrifices, charities, and penances, beginning always with om, to attain the Supreme.
Verse 25
One should perform sacrifice, penance and charity with the word tat. The purpose of such transcendental activities is to get free from the material entanglement.
Verse 26
The word "Sat" is used to refer to reality and goodness; likewise, O Arjuna, the word "Sat" is used to refer to an auspicious act.
Verse 27
Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and gift is also called 'Sat', and action in connection with these, or for the sake of the Supreme, is also called 'Sat'.
Verse 28
But sacrifices, austerities and charities performed without faith in the Supreme are nonpermanent, O son of Prtha, regardless of whatever rites are performed. They are called asat and are useless both in this life and the next.
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