:: Chapter 17 :: The Divisions of Faith s

Text 20

datavyam iti yad danam
diyate 'nupakarine
dese kale ca patre ca
tad danam sattvikam smrtam

Synonyms

datavyam--worth giving; iti--thus; yat--that which; danam--charity; diyate--is given; anupakarine--irrespective of return; dese--in a proper place; kale--at a proper time; ca--also; patre--to a suitable person; ca--and; tat--that; danam--charity; sattvikam--in the mode of goodness; smrtam--is considered.

Translation

Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person is considered to be in the mode of goodness.

Purport

In the Vedic literature, charity given to a person engaged in spiritual activities is recommended. There is no recommendation for giving charity indiscriminately. Spiritual perfection is always a consideration. Therefore charity is recommended to be given at a place of pilgrimage and at lunar or solar eclipses or at the end of the month or to a qualified Brahman  or a Vaisnava (devotee) or in temples. Such charities should be given without any consideration of return. Charity to the poor is sometimes given out of compassion, but if a poor man is not worth giving charity to, then there is no spiritual advancement. In other words, indiscriminate charity is not recommended in the Vedic literature.

Text 21

yat tu Pratyupakarartham
phalam uddisya va punah
diyate ca pariklistam
tad danam rajasam smrtam

Synonyms

yat--that which; tu--but; prati-upakara-artham--for the sake of getting some return; phalam--a result; uddisya--desiring; va--or; punah--again; diyate--is given; ca--also; pariklistam--grudgingly; tat--that; danam--charity; rajasam--in the mode of passion; smrtam--is understood to be.

Translation

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.

Purport

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.

Text 22

adesa-kale yad danam
apatrebhyas ca diyate
asat-krtam avajnatam-
tat tamasam udahrtam

Synonyms

adesa--at an unpurified place; kale--and unpurified time; yat--that which; danam--charity; apatrebhyah--to unworthy persons; ca--also; diyate--is given; asat-krtam--without respect; avajnatam--without proper attention; tat--that; tamasam--in the mode of darkness; udahrtam--is said to be.

Translation

And charity performed at an impure place, at an improper time, to unworthy persons, or without proper attention and respect is said to be in the mode of ignorance.

Purport

Contributions for indulgence in intoxication and gambling are not encouraged here. That sort of contribution is in the mode of ignorance. Such charity is not beneficial; rather, sinful persons are encouraged. Similarly, if a person gives charity to a suitable person but without respect and without attention, that sort of charity is also said to be in the mode of darkness.