In Bhagavad Gita 17.20, Krishna says a gift given because it is right to give, to one who cannot return it, at the right place and time and to a worthy person, is sattvic.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं
दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे
देशे काले च पात्रे च
तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ॥ १७-२० ॥
dātavyamiti yaddānaṃ
dīyate’nupakāriṇe
deśe kāle ca pātre ca
taddānaṃ sāttvikaṃ smṛtam
English transliteration daatavyamiti yaddaanam
deeyate’nupakaarine
deshe kaale cha paatre cha
taddaanam saattvikam smritam ॥ 17.20 ॥
Translation / Meaning
A gift given because it ought to be given, to one who can do nothing in return, at the right place and time and to a worthy recipient, is held to be sattvic.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| दातव्यम् dātavyam | ought to be given |
| इति iti | thus |
| यत् yat | which |
| दानम् dānam | gift |
| दीयते dīyate | is given |
| अनुपकारिणे anupakāriṇe | to one who can do nothing in return an (not) + upakāriṇe (returning favour) |
| देशे deśe | at the right place |
| काले kāle | at the right time |
| च ca | and |
| पात्रे pātre | to a worthy recipient |
| च ca | and |
| तत् tat | that |
| दानम् dānam | gift |
| सात्त्विकम् sāttvikam | sattvic |
| स्मृतम् smṛtam | is held |
Word-wise Chanting
- dā–tav–ya–mi–ti yad–dā–naṃ 8 syllables daa-tav-ya-mi-ti yad-daa-nam
- dī–ya–te–‘nu–pa–kā–ri–ṇe | 8 syllables dee-ya-te-‘nu-pa-kaa-ri-ne
- de–śe kā–le ca pāt–re ca 8 syllables de-she kaa-le cha paat-re cha
- tad–dā–naṃ sāt–tvi–kaṃ smṛ–tam || 17-20 8 syllables tad-daa-nam saat-tvi-kam smri-tam
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 17 Verse 20
Context
Krishna describes the three kinds of charity (17.20–17.22).
Meaning
Sattvic dāna is given with the attitude dātavyam, “it is right to give”; to an anupakārin, someone who cannot return the favour; and with discernment about deśa, kāla and pātra, the right place, time and recipient.
True generosity expects nothing back and is given wisely, where it will truly help.
In Practice
Give something today to someone who cannot repay you, wisely and without expectation.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga (The Threefold Nature of Faith). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.