BHAGAVAD-GITA 17:21

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BHAGAVAD-GITA 17:21

 

yat tu Pratyupakarartham

phalam uddisya va punah

diyate ca pariklistam

tad danam rajasam smrtam

 

WORD FOR WORD

 

yat--that which; tu--but; prati-upakara-artham--for the sake of

getting some return; phalam--a result; uddisya--desiring; va--or;

punah--again; diyate--is given; ca--also; pariklistam--grudgingly;

tat--that; danam--charity; rajasam--in the mode of passion; smrtam--is

understood to be.

 

TRANSLATION

 

But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a

desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be

charity in the mode of passion.

 

PURPORT

 

Charity is sometimes performed for elevation to the heavenly kingdom

and sometimes with great trouble and with repentance afterwards: "Why

have I spent so much in this way?" Charity is also sometimes given

under some obligation, at the request of a superior. These kinds of

charity are said to be given in the mode of passion.

 

There are many charitable foundations which offer their gifts to

institutions where sense gratification goes on. Such charities are not

recommended in the Vedic scripture. Only charity in the mode of

goodness is recommended.

 

Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with

permission.