Daatavyam iti yad daanam deeyate anupakaaarine | Deshe kaale cha paatre cha tad daanam saattvikam smritam ||20||
Translation
Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the right place and time, and to a worthy person — that is considered sattvic charity.
Word-by-Word Meaning
दातव्यम्
ought to be given/duty to give
इति
thus
यत्
which
दानम्
charity/gift
दीयते
is given
अनुपकारिणे
to one who cannot repay
देशे
at the right place
काले
at the right time
च
and
पात्रे
to a worthy recipient
तत्
that
दानम्
charity
सात्त्विकम्
sattvic/in the mode of goodness
स्मृतम्
is considered/remembered as
Commentary
Commentary
Krishna now turns from austerity to charity (daana), the third major topic of Chapter 17. Just as with food, sacrifice, and austerity, charity is classified according to the three gunas. Verse 20 describes the highest form — sattvic charity.
The first condition is daatavyam iti — “it ought to be given.” The sattvic giver does not give because they feel generous or because they enjoy the act of giving. They give because it is the right thing to do, because dharma calls for it. Giving is experienced as a duty, not as a favor. This attitude eliminates the subtle ego that often accompanies philanthropy.
Anupakaaarine — to one who cannot repay — is a crucial qualifier. Sattvic giving is directed toward those who genuinely need it and who are not in a position to return the favor. This eliminates transactional giving — the business lunch, the gift to a powerful person, the donation made to secure future benefit. True charity flows downward, from abundance to need, without any expectation of reciprocity.
The three conditions of desha (place), kaala (time), and paatra (recipient) reflect the Vedic understanding that giving must be done wisely. The right place means a sacred setting or a place of genuine need. The right time means an auspicious occasion or a moment of real crisis. The right recipient means a person who is worthy — not necessarily wealthy or powerful, but someone who will use the gift well, whether that is a learned teacher, a devoted student, or a person in genuine distress.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Bhagavad Gita 17.20 mean?
- Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the right place and time, and to a worthy person — that is considered sattvic charity.
- What is the Sanskrit text of Bhagavad Gita 17.20?
- The original Sanskrit verse is: Daatavyam iti yad daanam deeyate anupakaaarine | Deshe kaale cha paatre cha tad daanam saattvikam smritam ||20||
- What are the key themes of this verse?
- This verse explores: charity, sattva, duty, generosity, three modes, dharma.