|| 17.20 ||
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे। देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम्।।
dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate ’nupakāriṇe deśe kāle ca pātre ca tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛtam
Word by Word
dātavyam (must be given) iti (thus) yat (that which) dānam (charity) dīyate (is given) anupakāriṇe (to one who does nothing in return) deśe (in the proper place) kāle (at the proper time) ca (and) pātre (to a worthy person) ca (and) tat (that) dānam (charity) sāttvikam (in the mode of goodness) smṛtam (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.
Meaning
Kṛṣṇa defines charity in the mode of goodness. The identifying mark is the word ‘Dātavyam’—the sense of duty. A Sattvic person gives because it is the right thing to do, not because they expect a ‘Thank You’ or a return favor. They give with a heart of gratitude, not a heart of trade.
Time, place, and the recipient also matter. To be truly beneficial, charity should be given to a worthy person (someone who will use the gift for good) at a proper time and place. It is a conscious, thoughtful act of sharing. It is not just about getting rid of money; it is about supporting Dharma.
This kind of giving purifies the giver. It breaks the knot of greed and ego. When we give without strings attached, we acknowledge that everything ultimately belongs to God and we are just temporary caretakers. Sattvic charity is a profound practice of letting go.