17. Three Divisions of Faith

Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yog

BG 17.20

A pure gift is one that is given with no expectation of anything in return, at the proper time and place to a deserving person.

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम्

  • dātavyam — worthy of charity

  • iti — thus

  • yad — which

  • dānaṁ — charity

  • dīyate — is given

  • ‘nupakāriṇe — 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

  • tad — that

  • dānaṁ — charity

  • sāttvikaṁ — in the mode of goodness

  • smṛitam — is stated to be

...17.19

A pure gift is one that is given with no expectation of anything in return, at the proper time and place to a deserving person.

[20]

The gift which is given for the sake of the results it will produce, or given grudgingly, is a product of passion.

[21]

That gift which is given at the wrong place and the wrong time, to an unworthy recipient, without due respect or with contempt, is a gift born of ignorance.

[22]

17.23...

Similar verses

Chapter 17, Verse 20