Verse 17.20 : Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga "Three Divisions of Faith"
Verse 20 of 28
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The Translation
“Charity which is given with the thought 'it is my duty to give,' to one who does no return service, at the proper place and time, and to a worthy person, is held to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik).”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna introduces the topic of charity (dāna). In Vedic society, giving was a sacred duty (dharma). Krishna establishes the psychological guidelines that make charity a pure, purifying act.
Practical Application
1
Give a small gift or make a donation to a worthy cause today without sharing it with anyone.
Reflections & Notes
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Self-Reflection Prompts
- What does it mean to give to someone 'who cannot repay you' (anupakāriṇe)? How does this purify the ego?
- Why is the recipient's character (pātra) important in charity? How can giving to an unworthy cause actually do harm?
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17.20
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे
Shankara comments that 'deśe' refers to holy places or areas of genuine distress, and 'kāle' refers to solar eclipses or times of urgent need. A 'pātra' is a person of clean habits and wisdom who will not misuse the gift. The giver must feel: 'I am not doing a favor; I am only fulfilling a duty.' This is Sattvik giving.