Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 22

Chapter 17 – Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते ।
असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥

Transliteration

adeśakāle yaddānamapātrebhyaśca dīyate .
asatkṛtamavajñātaṃ tattāmasamudāhṛtam ॥

Meaning

A gift given at the wrong place and time, to unworthy recipients, without respect or with contempt, is declared to be tamasic.

Word meanings

अदेशकाले – at the wrong place and time
यत् – which
दानम् – gift
अपात्रेभ्यः – to unworthy recipients
च – and
दीयते – is given
असत्कृतम् – without respect
अवज्ञातम् – with contempt
तत् – that
तामसम् – tamasic
उदाहृतम् – is declared

Anvaya (word order)

यत् दानम् अदेशकाले अपात्रेभ्यः च असत्कृतम् अवज्ञातं (च) दीयते, तत् तामसम् उदाहृतम् ।

Explanation

The last of the three kinds of charity is the tamasic. Its marks are the opposite of both the discernment (place, time and recipient) and the attitude (respect) of sattvic giving.

Adesha-kale: at the wrong place and time. Shankara gives examples: giving in an impure place, at an inauspicious time, or when the gift is not needed at all. It is like giving someone a pot of water after summer has passed instead of an umbrella in the rainy season: it is giving, but without discernment.

Apatrebhyah: to unworthy recipients, such as the wicked, swindlers, or those who will misuse the gift. Such giving unknowingly promotes wrongdoing, and the giver shares in its fault.

The most serious faults are asatkritam and avajnatam. Asatkrita means without respect: not welcoming the recipient, not offering a seat, not speaking kindly. Avajnata means with contempt: throwing the gift down, humiliating the recipient, making him feel small. Such giving wounds the recipient's self-respect. He may receive material help, but his heart is hurt.

Indian tradition says, shraddhaya deyam, ashraddhaya adeyam: 'give with faith; do not give without faith' (Taittiriya Upanishad). Humility and respect are essential in giving. Indeed, it is the recipient who gives the giver the chance to earn merit, so the giver should be grateful to him.

The three kinds of charity together form a clear picture. Sattvic giving is full of heart, discernment and selflessness; rajasic giving of self-interest and regret; and tamasic giving of thoughtlessness and contempt.

Context

The previous two verses described sattvic and rajasic charity; this verse describes tamasic charity and completes the subject. In the next verse Krishna begins to explain 'Om Tat Sat', the threefold name of Brahman that sanctifies all these acts.

Life lesson

Giving respect is as important as giving things. When you help someone, never make them feel small; even a small gift given with humility is great.

Key terms

Tamasic dana: A gift given at the wrong place and time, to the unworthy, without respect or with contempt
Asatkrita: Without respect or courtesy
Avajnata: With contempt and insult
Apatra: An unworthy recipient who will misuse the gift