Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of the Division of Threefold FaithKrishna
Verse 20
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 17, श्लोक 20
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे।
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम्॥
Transliteration
Datavyam-iti yad-danam diyate'nupakarine
Deshe kale cha patre cha tad-danam sattvikam smritam
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
दातव्यम्datavyamto be given as duty
इतिitithus
यत्yatwhich
दानम्danamcharity
दीयतेdiyateis given
अनुपकारिणेanupakarineto one who cannot reciprocate
देशेdesheat the right place
कालेkaleat the right time
पात्रेpatreto a worthy person
सात्त्विकम्sattvikamsattvic
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
'दान देना कर्तव्य है' — ऐसे भाव से जो दान उचित देश, काल और पात्र को, बदले में कुछ न कर सकने वाले को दिया जाता है — वह सात्त्विक दान है।
English Translation
That charity which is given as a matter of duty, at the right place and time, to a worthy person who cannot reciprocate — that is considered sattvic.
Commentary (टीका)
Sattvic charity is selfless giving guided by duty, wisdom, and compassion. The emphasis on giving to those who cannot repay ensures pure motivation without expectation of return. Right place, right time, and right recipient together make charity truly beneficial.