Chapter 17, Verse 20
Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
dātavyam—worthy of charity; iti—thus; yat—which; dānam—charity; dīyate—is given; anupakāriṇe—to one who cannot give in return; deśhe—in the proper place; kāle—at the proper time; cha—and; pātre—to a worthy person; cha—and; tat—that; dānam—charity; sāttvikam—in the mode of goodness; smṛitam—is stated to be
English translation
That gift which is given to one who does nothing in return, knowing it to be a duty to give in a suitable place and time to a worthy person, is held to be Sattvic.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 17.20
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.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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