Display
Devanagari is shown only when this page stored it. Harvard-Kyoto and ASCII are generated from the IAST verse.
Vanisource / Original texts
Bhagavad-gītā 17.21
DonateSave this passage to keep a private note on this device. Notes are not sent to Vedawiki.
Cite
Source navigation
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT 21
- 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
yatthat which — that which; tubut — but; pratifor the sake of getting some return-upakārafor the sake of getting some return-arthamfor the sake of getting some return — for the sake of getting some return; phalama result — a result; uddiśyadesiring — desiring; vāor — or; punaḥagain — again; dīyateis given — is given; caalso — also; parikliṣṭamgrudgingly — grudgingly; tatthat — that; dānamcharity — charity; rājasamin the mode of passion — in the mode of passion; smṛtamis understood to be — is understood to be.
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.
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 given under some obligation, at the request of a superior. These kinds of charity are said to be given 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.