यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः।दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम्।।17.21।।
yattu pratyupakaarartham phalamuddishya va punah, diiyate cha pariklishtam taddanam raajasam smritam
Translation
But charity given with reluctance, with the hope of a return or in expectation of a reward, is said to be in the mode of passion.
Word Meanings
yat — that which; tu — but; prati‑upakāra‑artham — for the sake of getting some return; phalam — a result; uddiśya — desiring; vā — or; punaḥ — again; dīyate — is given; ca — also; parikliṣṭam — grudgingly; tat — that; dānam — charity; rājasaṁ — in the mode of passion; smṛtam — is understood to be;
Understanding the Verse
In Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gītā, Krishna systematically classifies the three modes (guṇas) of human activity—sattva, rajas, and tāmas—by examining daily actions that shape our inner evolution. Verse 21 focuses on the nature of dāna (charitable giving), a practice revered across the Vedic tradition. While generosity is generally praised, the verse points out that not all giving is spiritually equal. When a person gives "prati‑upakāra‑artham," i.e., with the ulterior motive of receiving something in return, the act is tainted by personal desire. The donor’s heart is still attached to the outcome, and the offering is therefore driven by ambition rather than self‑less love.
Krishna adds that such charity may also be "parikliṣṭa," meaning grudging or half‑hearted. A donation made reluctantly lacks the joyous spirit that purifies the mind. When we give out of compulsion, fear of social censure, or a desire to appear virtuous, we reinforce the ego’s sense of ownership and entitlement. Consequently, the act reinforces the rājasa guṇa, which thrives on desire, attachment, and the pursuit of material gain. Rājasa energy fuels restlessness and the cyclical chase for external validation, preventing the practitioner from attaining inner tranquility.
The verse also emphasizes the importance of "phalam ud‑diśya" – seeking a result. In the spiritual economy of the Gītā, actions performed with expectation bind the soul to karma‑phala (the fruit of action) and perpetuate samsāra. Charitable deeds performed for reward generate merit, but they do not erase the underlying attachment. Hence, the spiritual benefit is limited and the heart remains mired in the same desires it hoped to alleviate.
Understanding this classification helps aspirants refine their intentions. The Gītā later provides the sattvic alternative: giving that is "nishkāma" (desire‑less), performed with compassion, without expectation, and when the donor is mentally serene. Such giving purifies the mind, cultivates generosity as an expression of one’s true nature, and aligns the practitioner with the divine will. It also leads to “prasāda” – the grace of the Lord – which transcends material outcomes.
In practical terms, verse 17.21 invites us to examine our daily acts of kindness. Are we motivated by genuine concern, or are we looking to secure social reputation, business favor, or emotional comfort? By transitioning from rājasic giving to sattvic, we gradually dissolve the ego‑centered patterns that bind us, paving the way for deeper self‑realization and karmic liberation.
