Chapter 17, Verse 20
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे | देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ||१७-२०||
dātavyamiti yaddānaṃ dīyate.anupakāriṇe . deśe kāle ca pātre ca taddānaṃ sāttvikaṃ smṛtam ||17-20||
Meaning
17.20 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.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Explanation & Commentary
Krishna now applies the threefold scheme to dana (charity), beginning with its highest form. Sattvic giving is offered datavyam iti — simply because it ought to be given — to an anupakarine, someone who can offer nothing in return. It is given thoughtfully: in the right place (deshe), at the right time (kale), and to a worthy recipient (patre). Such giving is pure because it asks for nothing back.
This is generosity in its noblest expression. The sattvic giver does not give to be repaid, thanked, or noticed, but out of a quiet sense of duty and compassion. Yet Krishna insists that purity of heart be joined with discernment — right time, place, and recipient — so that kindness is also wise. True charity is not careless impulse but conscious, selfless service that asks for nothing and considers the genuine good of the one who receives.
💡 Key Takeaway
Give freely to those who cannot repay you, thoughtfully and at the right time — true generosity seeks nothing in return.
Related Verses
आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रियः | यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं शृणु ||१७-७||
āhārastvapi sarvasya trividho bhavati priyaḥ . yajñastapastathā dānaṃ teṣāṃ bhedamimaṃ śṛṇu ||17-7||
17.7 The food also which is dear to each is threefold, as also sacrifice, austerity and almsgiving. Hear thou the distinction of these.
आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः | रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ||१७-८||
āyuḥsattvabalārogyasukhaprītivivardhanāḥ . rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛdyā āhārāḥ sāttvikapriyāḥ ||17-8||
17.8 The foods which increase life, purity, strength, health, joy and cheerfulness (good appetite), which are savoury and oleaginous, substantial and agreeable, are dear to the Sattvic (pure) people.
अफलाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते | यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ||१७-११||
aphalāṅkṣibhiryajño vidhidṛṣṭo ya ijyate . yaṣṭavyameveti manaḥ samādhāya sa sāttvikaḥ ||17-11||
17.11 That sacrifice which is offered by men without desire for reward as enjoined by the ordinance (scripture), with a firm faith that to do so is a duty, is Sattvic or pure.