|| 17.22 ||

अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते। असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्।।

adeśa-kāle yad dānam apātrebhyaś ca dīyate asat-kṛtam avajñātaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛtam

adeśa (at an improper place) kāle (at an improper time) yat (which) dānam (charity) apātrebhyaḥ (to unworthy persons) ca (and) dīyate (is given) asat-kṛtam (without respect) avajñātam (with contempt) tat (that) tāmasam (in the mode of ignorance) udāhṛtam (is said to be).

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.

Kṛṣṇa describes charity in the mode of Ignorance (Tamas). This is giving at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and to unworthy people. It is also giving without any respect (‘Asat-kṛtam’) or even with contempt (‘Avajñātam’). This kind of giving doesn’t help anyone; it often fuels bad habits and creates bad karma for the giver. Giving money to a drunkard who will just buy more alcohol, or giving to a criminal organization, is Tamasic charity. You are funding ignorance. Also, if you give to a beggar while insulting them or throwing the money at them, that is not an act of kindness. It is an act of ego. Such ‘giving’ is a waste of resources and shows a total lack of empathy and intelligence. It teaches us to be ‘Thoughtful Donors’. Charity is a responsibility. We should ensure that our gifts actually help the recipient improve their life or their consciousness. We should give with a humble heart, respecting the dignity of the person receiving the help. Intelligence and respect are just as important as the gift itself.