Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of the Division of Threefold FaithKrishna
Verse 21
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 17, श्लोक 21
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः।
दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम्॥
Transliteration
Yat-tu praty-upakara-artham phalam-uddishya va punah
Diyate cha pariklishtam tad-danam rajasam smritam
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
यत् तुyat tubut that which
प्रत्युपकारार्थम्praty-upakara-arthamfor getting something in return
फलम्phalamresult
उद्दिश्यuddishyaaiming at
दीयतेdiyateis given
परिक्लिष्टम्pariklishtamreluctantly
तत् दानम्tat danamthat charity
राजसम्rajasamrajasic
स्मृतम्smritamis considered
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
जो दान प्रत्युपकार के लिए, फल की दृष्टि से, अथवा क्लेशपूर्वक (अनिच्छा से) दिया जाता है — वह राजसिक दान कहा गया है।
English Translation
But that charity which is given with the expectation of getting something in return, or with a desire for reward, or reluctantly — that is considered rajasic.
Commentary (टीका)
Rajasic giving is transactional at its core — motivated by expectation of return favors, future benefits, or given grudgingly. The reluctance indicates that the giver's heart is not truly in the act. Such charity may benefit the recipient but does not purify the giver's consciousness.