Bhagavad Gita 17.20

Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga · English Translation

That gift which is given to one who does nothing in return, knowing it to be a duty to give in a fit place and time to a worthy person, that gift is held to be Sattvic.

Sanskrit

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे | देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ||१७-२०||

Transliteration

dātavyamiti yaddānaṃ dīyate.anupakāriṇe . deśe kāle ca pātre ca taddānaṃ sāttvikaṃ smṛtam ||17-20||

What Does This Verse Mean?

Lord Krishna is teaching Arjuna that the highest quality of giving happens when we offer help without expecting anything back, at the right time and place to a deserving person. This verse defines 'Sattvic' charity as an act rooted in duty rather than desire for reward or social recognition. The key teaching is that true generosity requires letting go of expectations regarding who receives it or what they might give you later.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse belongs to the framework of Karma Yoga (the yoga of selfless action) by defining the ideal state of giving without attachment to results. It develops the concept of 'Sattvic' purity, where actions are performed as a moral duty aligned with cosmic order rather than for personal gain or future reward.

Word by Word

दातव्यम् ought to be given, इति thus, यत् that, दानम् gift, दीयते is given, अनुपकारिणे to one who does no service (in return), देशे in a fit place, काले in time, च and, पात्रे to a worthy person, च and, तत् that, दानम् gift, सात्त्विकम् Sattvic, स्मृतम् is held to be

Classical Commentary

The gift should be given to one who cannot return the good or to one from whom no such return is expected. It is necessary to be in Kurukshetra or Varanasi or any part of the world that is eally sacred when one offes gifts. The time should be during solar or lunar eclips or an eally auspicious occasion. Worthy A pious person who is a Tapasvin, who is well versed in the scriptures (the Vedas and the,Vedangas), who is able to protect himself and the donor, etc. At such a time and such a place there shoule be a person worthy to receive the gift, a person who is the very incarnation of purity, the very abode of good conduct. A gift may be freely given to such a highly deserving person. The donor should not boast of his charity.

Where This Happens

This teaching occurs on the battlefield of Kurukshetra during the Mahabharata war, where Krishna serves as Arjuna's spiritual guide. Just prior to this verse in Chapter 17, Krishna has begun classifying human nature into three modes (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) and is now explaining how these modes affect religious rituals, food habits, charity, and sacrifice. Arjuna, who was paralyzed by grief at the thought of fighting his relatives, is listening intently as Krishna provides a framework for righteous action to overcome confusion.

Living It Out Today

Consider a manager in your company whose employee makes a significant mistake that costs the team money; instead of demanding repayment or public reprimand (seeking 'service' back), you cover their loss and offer mentorship. You do this because it is your duty as a leader to foster growth, not because you expect immediate loyalty or gratitude. This approach builds deep trust and resolves workplace anxiety better than transactional relationships that demand returns.

Explained for Children

Imagine you help someone build a sandcastle on the beach, but after you finish and walk away, that person doesn't say thank you and never helps you back. If you still feel happy because you know helping others is the right thing to do, that is what this verse calls 'Sattvic' giving! It's like sharing your lunch with a friend who has none; you share it not because they will share theirs later, but simply because it is good and kind.

Daily Reflection

Today, pause before any exchange or gesture of kindness to ask yourself if your motivation seeks a return. True generosity blooms only when you release all attachment to who receives and what they might do for you in return. When you offer from a place of duty rather than desire for reward, that small act transforms into a quiet form of spiritual discipline.

A Practice for Today

Close your eyes and recall an act of giving you performed without expecting anything back, not even gratitude. Visualize the purity that arises when a gift is offered simply because it is right to give, at the right time, to the right person.

Key Teachings

The Purity of Motive
A Sattvic gift is defined by the internal state of the giver who acts solely out of duty (dātavyamiti) rather than expectation. This removes the ego's demand for recognition, making the act a selfless offering to life itself.
The Sanctity of Context
Wisdom dictates that giving must be aligned with time (kāle), place (deśe), and the worthiness of the recipient (pātre). A gift given at the wrong moment or to someone who cannot benefit from it lacks this divine precision.
The Power of Anupakārī
Giving to one who does nothing in return breaks the cycle of transactional relationships and karmic debt. This form of giving liberates both giver and receiver from the binding need for reciprocity.

Themes

Selfless GivingDuty (Dharma)Detachment from ResultsSattva GunaMoral CharacterRight Timing and Place

Related Verses

2.47 3.30 18.56 9.26 18.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Krishna specify that charity must be given to a 'worthy person'?

The verse emphasizes giving to a worthy recipient because the quality of one's action is reflected in its impact; helping someone who will use resources for good reinforces the Sattvic nature of the act. It ensures that the gift serves as an instrument for positive change rather than enabling dependency or misuse.

What does 'Anupakarine' mean and why is it important?

'Anupakariné' means someone who gives nothing in return, highlighting that the giver must not expect a favor back. This condition strips away the transactional nature of charity, ensuring the act remains pure and rooted in duty rather than an investment for future social or material returns.

How does this verse relate to modern ideas about 'paying it forward'?

While paying it forward suggests passing a good deed to someone else, the Gita's concept is more internal: you give because it is right now, regardless of whether anyone ever repays or passes on the kindness. It shifts the focus from a chain of transactions to an immediate commitment to duty and compassion.

Is charity given at the wrong time considered bad?

According to this verse, giving outside of 'fit place and time' (desha-kale) may not be Sattvic; if the gift is made when it causes harm or disrupts order, it lacks purity. The Gita teaches that timing is a crucial component of wisdom in action, ensuring the help actually benefits the receiver.

In Other Languages: Bhagavad Gita 17.20 →