दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे |
THE BHAGAVAD GITA (17:20)
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्विकं स्मृतम् ||
dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate ‘nupakāriṇe
deśhe kāle cha pātre cha tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛitam
The gift or donation which is given to one who does no service in return, with the feeling that it is one’s duty to give and which is given at the right place, in the right time and to a worthy person is considered as “Saattvika Daana”. And the alms that are given to the right person at the right place and time, and in the spirit that charity is a bounden duty done without any expectation, are said to be good
यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुन: |
दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ||yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ phalam uddiśhya vā punaḥ
dīyate cha parikliṣhṭaṁ tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛitam
The gift which is given only to receive something in return or expecting a reward, again reluctantly, is considered as “Raajasika Daana”. And alms which are offered grudgingly and for a good turn in exchange, or with some recompense in view, is said to be impulsive and morally improper. However, a charity that is grievous because it is done under coercion, or with an expectation of some favour or reward, is of the impassionate kind.
अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते |
असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ||adeśha-kāle yad dānam apātrebhyaśh cha dīyate
asat-kṛitam avajñātaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛitam
English Translation:
The gift that is given at the wrong place and time, to unworthy recipients, without respect or with insult, is declared to be “Taamasika Daana”. And the alms which are dispensed without deference or contemptuously to unworthy recipients at an inappropriate place and time are said to be diabolical. The basest kind of gifts is, however, those that are offered with disrespect and scorn to the undeserving at an inopportune place and time.
May the Almighty, working through Lord Krishna and Arjuna, Bless, Guide, Protect and Inspire you and remove your troubles.
With Love and Blessings to you. Humbly,
Paramahansa Atmananda Ji